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19 Feb, 2018 by James
Phillip Peter Nikolis did such a poor job representing my family, fighting for financial relief after a family tragedy that concluded with a loss-of-life, so poor that I must question how he is licensed in the state of New York. His general communications with us are the worst that I have ever seen or experienced from anyone in the legal field in 50 years, just for starters.
You will chase Phillip Peter Nikolis to actually DO work for you post-hiring; you will chase him to find our what exactly he is doing; you will chase him for your settlement.
He continually (almost strategically) makes excuses on getting your settlement money like I have never seen or heard. He will exasperate most people, I am sure with his low-energy/poor communication style of representation.
Phillip Peter Nikolis also seemed to me to work for the interests of the County in the end, while claiming to our faces that he represented our interests. He had zero ambition or desire to make a fight of it and subtly pushed for us to make a settlement based on what the County was directing, with little consideration of our prior directives or expectations of him. Beware if you are going against the County. Those seem to be all of his friends, not yours!
Phillip Peter Nikolis is an incompetent lawyer, in my opinion. After having the experience of dealing with him for quite a few years on our case, I feel that Phillip Peter Nikolis, based in Long Island, NY, should have his licence revoked or should get out of the business of claiming that he does legal work representing people. It's appalling work, combined with a shoddy representation, nearly ensuring a low-settlement.
Lastly, this individual also has 'no shame' in his sub-par game. He does it all with a smile.
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30 Dec, 2012 by Anonymous
Please consult with other law firms out there. This law firm is definitely lacking but it's up to you if you want to take the chance and deal with them. I do not recommend.
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03 Oct, 2012 by Anonymous
He has good wInning record and settled lawsuits but most of the settled are so low that the defendant cant refuse and we poor immigrants that clients of this esquire that we were convinced to settle by him . It seem that he work for the otherside ...poor book keeping sending wrong files.
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28 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired Dana to handle my divorce case too. I agree totally with the other review of her. She promised a lot and then backtracks from it later on. I paid her well into the six figure range when she told me it was only going to be 10 to $20,000. She was a little off I would say.
The opposing attorney was trying to settle my case but Dana told me it wasn’t time yet so I had another year of expenses that I paid to her. She didn’t seem very eager to try and settle the case for me.
As the other reviewer said, there came a point where I didn’t trust her either. I felt that she was using what I said against me.
I would search out another attorney. I do not recommend her at all.
Why is it she’s been an attorney for thirty years and she doesn’t have any reviews either????
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25 Mar, 2017 by Alan lee
This lawyer is 20 years over his prime, he does not know how to read email and does not respond to calls. All his work is by phone call and he does not keep written record of correspondence about your case.
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19 Feb, 2009 by Anonymous
We all hire a lawyer with the intention of getting what we deserve in the end. Ms. Finkelstein charges alot of money for services provided as well as unprovided. Just like every other lawyer, everything is promised to you in the beginning and you end up with nothing but a huge bill in the end. She eventually worked against me instead of for me. I would not recommend her and people had warned me but only when it was too late.
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21 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
I fired this attorney as soon as I realized that he was there only to bill me rather than counsel through the resolution of the case. His bills were ridden with errors and inconsistent with the understanding between us. He would communicate reluctantly and always with an extensive delay.
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07 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
This is the lawyer I first came to when I decided a divorce was needed. Initially he promised the moon and stars, and when we would get to court, he would not deliver based on the fact that he was promising scenarios that were not backed up with actual laws, but more what I wanted to hear. He advised I file a petition with Family Court that took 6 hours of my day and on the day of the hearing I was humiliated when Family Court judge ruled it was out of his jurisdiction when a divorce was already filed and pending with the Supreme Court...a scenario this lawyer could have anticipated and brought to my attention beforehand to save me time and money. I wasted thousand of dollars on this man to continuously be ignored by him and not receive not one call from him for two weeks. His assistant and all other members of the administration team in his office apparently do not have email addresses , so I had no choice but to constantly call his office. Very aggravating to work with this man.
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08 Apr, 2024 by Carla
Avoid this attorney. I retained her to protect my interests and she failed miserably. She was retained for a simple residential closing and missed a significant component of the purchase; namely that I was to have beach access rights. This valuable right was clearly mentioned in the contract of sale as well as the title report - which she clearly didnt bother to read. As a result, the access rights were left off the deed. I now have to retain new counsel to amend the deed. As a further insult, when this was brought to her attention, she saw fit to attempt to charge me an additional $700.00 to correct her mistake.
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20 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
I was represented by Laurie Sayevich Horz for a litigation matter. Ms. Horz not only went days and sometimes weeks without responding to calls or emails, but she also did nothing to rectify any problems with the case. She over-billed me on numerous occasions, and she even billed me for services after I informed her that she was no longer representing me on the case.
In addition to not responding to my calls or emails and the over-billing, I was even given false information about the case by Ms. Horz.
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Questions? We have answers
What a Real Estate Lawyer Can Do for You
A real estate lawyer provides legal assistance in transactions and disputes involving property, including residential and commercial real estate. Whether you're buying, selling, leasing, or developing property, a real estate attorney can help ensure that your transactions are legally sound and your rights are protected. They review contracts, perform due diligence, resolve disputes, and provide legal representation in negotiations and litigation involving property matters.
Real estate lawyers are crucial in safeguarding your investment by ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal real estate laws, as well as protecting you from potential legal pitfalls related to property ownership and transactions.
When Should I Hire a Real Estate Lawyer?
Hiring a real estate lawyer is beneficial in various scenarios, including:
- Buying or selling property: When navigating complex real estate contracts, it’s advisable to have a lawyer review and ensure that the terms are favorable and legal.
- Commercial property transactions: For leasing, purchasing, or selling commercial properties, a lawyer can help manage the intricate legal aspects of such transactions.
- Zoning or land use issues: If you're planning to develop property or change its use, a real estate lawyer can guide you through zoning laws and land use regulations.
- Resolving property disputes: For boundary disputes, title issues, or disagreements over property rights, a lawyer can help mediate or litigate the matter.
- Foreclosures or evictions: If you're dealing with foreclosure or managing a tenant eviction, legal representation ensures that the process adheres to local laws and protects your interests.
- Title and deed issues: Lawyers can help clear title disputes, ensure the legitimacy of property deeds, and handle transfers of ownership.
What Does a Real Estate Lawyer Do?
A real estate lawyer provides a range of services to help with property transactions and disputes, including:
- Contract drafting and review: Ensuring that purchase agreements, leases, and other contracts are legally binding, fair, and protect your interests.
- Title search and clearance: Conducting a thorough title search to ensure that the property has no legal claims or liens that could affect ownership.
- Facilitate closing: Managing the closing process in real estate transactions, including reviewing final documents and ensuring that everything is in order before the transfer of ownership.
- Resolve disputes: Handling legal disputes related to property ownership, boundaries, zoning, or tenants.
- Assist in financing: Reviewing loan agreements and mortgage documents to ensure the terms are fair and legally sound.
- Zoning and land use advice: Guiding clients through the complexities of zoning laws and building regulations for property development or renovation projects.
How Are Real Estate Lawyers Paid?
Real estate lawyers typically charge for their services in the following ways:
- Flat fee: Many real estate transactions, such as reviewing a sales contract or assisting with a closing, are charged on a flat-fee basis.
- Hourly rates: If a lawyer is handling complex disputes or litigation, they may charge by the hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Contingency fees: In rare cases, such as property disputes or claims for damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you win or settle the case.
- Retainer: For ongoing legal support, some clients may pay a retainer, which is an upfront fee used as a deposit for future legal services.
It's important to clarify the fee structure with your attorney before hiring them to avoid any surprises.
How Much Does a Real Estate Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a real estate lawyer varies based on the complexity of the matter, the location of the property, and the lawyer’s experience. Key factors that affect pricing include:
- Type of transaction or issue: Simple tasks, like contract reviews, typically cost less than handling a complex property dispute or litigation.
- Experience and location: More experienced lawyers or those in high-demand areas, like urban centers, often charge higher rates.
- Billing structure: Lawyers may charge a flat fee for basic services like document review or hourly for more time-intensive work such as disputes or litigation.
Flat fees for straightforward services like closing assistance may range from $500 to $1,500.
Hourly rates can range from $150 to $400 or more, depending on the attorney’s experience and location.
Always discuss fees upfront to understand the overall cost of the legal service you're receiving.
Top Questions to Ask a Real Estate Lawyer
Before hiring a real estate lawyer, ask the following questions to ensure they are the right fit for your legal needs:
-
What experience do you have with real estate law?
Ensure the lawyer has experience in the type of real estate transaction or dispute you’re facing, whether residential, commercial, or development-related. -
What is your fee structure?
Ask how the lawyer charges for services - whether it's a flat fee, hourly rate, or retainer - so there are no surprises later on. -
How long will the process take?
Especially important for real estate transactions or disputes with deadlines, ask for a general estimate of how long the process will last. -
Have you handled cases similar to mine?
Experience with similar transactions or disputes can give you confidence that the lawyer knows how to handle your case. -
Will you handle my case personally, or will it be passed to another attorney?
Confirm who will be handling the bulk of your case work, especially in larger firms where junior lawyers may take on some responsibilities. -
Can you provide references?
Speaking with past clients can give you insight into the lawyer's experience and how they handle cases.
How to Check the Credibility of a Real Estate Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a reputable real estate lawyer, take these steps:
- Check with the state bar association: Verify that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing with no disciplinary actions on their record.
- Read online reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on legal directories and platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should have past clients willing to share their experiences.
- Review their track record and expertise: Look at the lawyer’s website or LinkedIn profile for information about their experience in real estate law and any relevant cases they’ve handled.
- Membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of respected legal or real estate organizations, like the American Bar Association’s Real Property Division, often signal credibility and expertise.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make your first meeting with a real estate lawyer productive, you should prepare the following materials:
- Relevant property documents: Bring purchase agreements, lease contracts, mortgage documents, zoning permits, or any other paperwork related to your case.
- A summary of the issue or transaction: Be ready to explain the situation, whether it's a property dispute, contract negotiation, or development issue.
- Questions about the legal process: Prepare a list of questions about how the lawyer will handle your case and what steps are involved.
- Financial documents or loan agreements: If the case involves financing or a mortgage, bring any related documents for the lawyer to review.
- Your goals and timeline: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, and if there are any deadlines that need to be considered, such as closing dates or legal filings.
By coming prepared, you can ensure that your consultation is efficient and informative, allowing you to assess whether the lawyer is the right fit for your real estate needs.
