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03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
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25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
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03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
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25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
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03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
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03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
03 Mar, 2024 by Rishan prasad
30 Jan, 2024 by Roxie slater
Horrible narcissistic firm
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Sue i
I am a physician and I had dealings with Kirk Neste at this firm. He seemed to be nice at first, and I, in good faith kept my end of the agreement that we had negotiated. After this, he did not answer my attempts to reach him and did not keep his end of the deal. Basically, he lied to me. Very unprofessional. I do not recommend working with a firm that has lawyers like this.
Read more
06 Oct, 2024 by Jonalyn pacoma
No words can express how grateful and blessed we are to meet with Attorney Blake Goodman and his staff. They helped us every step of the way and kept us updated. All the staff are friendly and supportive. I highly recommend them to anyone who is going through financial difficulties and challenges, right when you leave the office you feel relieved.
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05 Oct, 2024 by Deborah iijima
The whole process was very fast, and all of the staff were very helpful and professional! I am glad I chose Blake Goodman’s office to help!
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02 Oct, 2024 by Bill doyle
I was pleased to receive a return call promptly after requesting a consultation. Knowledgeable, courteous, ready to assist, Blake Goodman listens carefully and provides his best counsel for a path forward. He thoughtfully referred me to another attorney with more relevant practice for my question. Top marks!
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06 Oct, 2024 by Jonalyn pacoma
No words can express how grateful and blessed we are to meet with Attorney Blake Goodman and his staff. They helped us every step of the way and kept us updated. All the staff are friendly and supportive. I highly recommend them to anyone who is going through financial difficulties and challenges, right when you leave the office you feel relieved.
Read more
05 Oct, 2024 by Deborah iijima
The whole process was very fast, and all of the staff were very helpful and professional! I am glad I chose Blake Goodman’s office to help!
Read more
02 Oct, 2024 by Bill doyle
I was pleased to receive a return call promptly after requesting a consultation. Knowledgeable, courteous, ready to assist, Blake Goodman listens carefully and provides his best counsel for a path forward. He thoughtfully referred me to another attorney with more relevant practice for my question. Top marks!
Read more
06 Oct, 2024 by Jonalyn pacoma
No words can express how grateful and blessed we are to meet with Attorney Blake Goodman and his staff. They helped us every step of the way and kept us updated. All the staff are friendly and supportive. I highly recommend them to anyone who is going through financial difficulties and challenges, right when you leave the office you feel relieved.
Read more
05 Oct, 2024 by Deborah iijima
The whole process was very fast, and all of the staff were very helpful and professional! I am glad I chose Blake Goodman’s office to help!
Read more
02 Oct, 2024 by Bill doyle
I was pleased to receive a return call promptly after requesting a consultation. Knowledgeable, courteous, ready to assist, Blake Goodman listens carefully and provides his best counsel for a path forward. He thoughtfully referred me to another attorney with more relevant practice for my question. Top marks!
Read more
06 Oct, 2024 by Jonalyn pacoma
No words can express how grateful and blessed we are to meet with Attorney Blake Goodman and his staff. They helped us every step of the way and kept us updated. All the staff are friendly and supportive. I highly recommend them to anyone who is going through financial difficulties and challenges, right when you leave the office you feel relieved.
Read more
05 Oct, 2024 by Deborah iijima
The whole process was very fast, and all of the staff were very helpful and professional! I am glad I chose Blake Goodman’s office to help!
Read more
02 Oct, 2024 by Bill doyle
I was pleased to receive a return call promptly after requesting a consultation. Knowledgeable, courteous, ready to assist, Blake Goodman listens carefully and provides his best counsel for a path forward. He thoughtfully referred me to another attorney with more relevant practice for my question. Top marks!
Read more
06 Oct, 2024 by Jonalyn pacoma
No words can express how grateful and blessed we are to meet with Attorney Blake Goodman and his staff. They helped us every step of the way and kept us updated. All the staff are friendly and supportive. I highly recommend them to anyone who is going through financial difficulties and challenges, right when you leave the office you feel relieved.
Read more
05 Oct, 2024 by Deborah iijima
The whole process was very fast, and all of the staff were very helpful and professional! I am glad I chose Blake Goodman’s office to help!
Read more
02 Oct, 2024 by Bill doyle
I was pleased to receive a return call promptly after requesting a consultation. Knowledgeable, courteous, ready to assist, Blake Goodman listens carefully and provides his best counsel for a path forward. He thoughtfully referred me to another attorney with more relevant practice for my question. Top marks!
Read more
06 Sep, 2024 by Emily belloso
09 Jul, 2024 by Christian brown
I've had an absolutely terrible experience. He took a 5.5k retainer, my case was moved to Canadian Courts, and now he's failing to respond, not returning the retainer, and appears to be attempting to steal my money.
These actions have been preventing me from acquiring the appropriate legal representation.
I strongly advise staying away from this law firm.
UPDATE:
He ended up padding the bill when asked for a refund of the retainer. Charged me for text messages and emails that he never responded to including messages listed below were I requested my funds be returned.
"You are negatively impacting my ability to secure legal counsel and leaving me with no other
options but to explore pursuing a civil case against your firm.
If my money isn't returned this week, I'll be pursuing a civil case as well as filing a complaint
with the Hawaii State Bar Association. This is absolutely ridiculous." CHARGED me $55.
"Are you planning on returning the funds at all?
It's very concerning that my requests have gone unanswered." NO RESPONSE and CHARGED another $55.
"Good morning,
We secured a lawyer in Ontario to handle the extradition/child custody. Would it be possible to
return the remainder of the retainer? If the case ends up coming to Hawaii, we can send resend
a retainer. Funds are just tight at the moment." NO RESPONSE and CHARGED another $55.
"Hello,
Are you able to help me formulate the response to the OCL report? This is my draft so far.
OCL Response .docx" NO RESPONSE and CHARGED another $55.
I think everyone can see the trend. I strongly advise looking elsewhere for a lawyer.
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15 Jun, 2024 by Robert richardson
Ed charges 5k and doesn’t do his work for you , he doesn’t return your calls , he doesn’t follow up on emails , he doesn’t answer your email. He says he will meet you and don’t show up or even call .
He is the worse I’ve hear of , warning he will take you for your hard working money , and then send you a bill that is made up of things he didn’t do.
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09 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr Suemori represented my daughter in a June 2007 illegal eviction case. Mr Suemori sought $125,000 in damages, but after paying him $25,000 in August 2012 he settled for $5,000. We asked an attorney to review the docket sheet and discovered Mr. Suemori had done little-no formal discovery and taken no depositions. He never gave us a timeline estimate of completion or cost estimate as promised. His firm repeatedly requested documents of my daughter that she already provided. He was often responsiveness and was not good about updating us on his proceeding during the 5 year case. We have yet to see any sincere effort on his part to rectify this situation.
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24 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Erika Amatore is the worst attorney hired by our consulting business. Our consulting business has been active for almost ten years around the world (e.g. Canada, Korea, US, Belize, Russia, Bolivia, Switzerland, Africa, Singapore, etc) and used a variety of attorneys for various matters relating to intellectual property, tax matters, patents, regulatory matters, and most recently breach of contract. We've had excellent legal support many times, however, no lawyer has ever treated our firm in the poor manner that she did. The worst--Erika did not disclose that the judicial official working in our case has a conflict of interest worth our review and when another attorney flagged the issue she did not share that concern (that conflict ended up being exposed six months later and is worth knowing). She did not get to know our company's case nor fact check case details with us before committing our company to key deadlines. She did not follow directions on almost any request---she failed to use prepared legal material by prior legal counsel and instead recreated legal documents at our company's expense. In files we gave her she introduced legal and factual errors that she did not highlight so those changes and errors were not caught in time. Her errors actually contradict the cornerstone of our case that we asked her to review three or more times at the beginning--meaning her errors are incompetence or disobedience possibly both. She did not consult with our firm about deposing a witness nor review key documents that would have prepared her for the deposition. She shared company files outside the firm without seeking the firm's prior informed consent which put intellectual property of client's at risk. Erika was under prepared for our discovery deadline and sent us on multiple wild goose chases regarding how to produce documents (e.g. the format requested changed multiple times making our staff spend dozens of hours of repetitive unnecessary work). She ended up dropping the case with little notice, right before the discovery request, without consulting the company nor informing it of it's legal rights. If a person professionally commits to representing a case at the very least, commit to key a few milestones and come up with a strategy to transition if one cannot commit long-term. She did not have the maturity to do that. To sum it up, Erika comes across as a self-absorbed and heartless millennial that is distracted, doesn't care, and is sloppy. This firm and our management has worked with and/or supervised over sixty people and she, undoubtedly, is the worst professional worked with. Our firm worked with the legal firm to get the answers/find a solution and/or give her the benefit of the doubt for over a month. The only thing we accomplished was finding out that our gut feeling presented here is more than true and grounded by fact and we found out worse things beyond our imagination. We are left feeling that if we found truth to our complaints---imagine the additional damage she did because we probably found out only a portion of the truth. It is our formal opinion this person lacks the intellectual and moral character to represent others needing legal help. Erika Amatore is also in dire need of some serious soul searching. We wish her luck in conducting that intense reflection because she is going to need it.
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FAQs
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.
