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17 Jun, 2021 by Jo ellen craghead
17 Feb, 2020 by Kate nowlin
07 Dec, 2019 by Tara lammers
07 Apr, 2021 by Fmb
After my husband passed, I was seeking guidance regarding how to set up my will, power of attorney, healthcare directive, etc. I contacted Ozark Elder Law based on their local television commercial. I was assigned Amanda K. Wolf as my consultant and went on to use her services to set up my Revocable Living Trust.
It was a pleasure working with Amanda. She is personable, concerned about doing the right thing for her clients, and easy to work with. Amanda is very knowledgeable and provides clear and concise information regarding the process and advantages of setting up an Estate Plan.
In addition, I needed some direction on how to find help with paperwork for possible benefits from the VA. Amanda was instrumental in helping me connect with the appropriate organization. I am so grateful for all her help.
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24 Aug, 2019 by Dr mike ferguson
During a time when my wife and I were faced with the enormous task of working through the details of planning and resolving our parents nursing home care and estate, Lori and her team provided the peace of mind and assurance we needed to know our parents would be taken cared for. This is a firm that knows what they are doing and will advocate for you with the greatest of passion.
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24 Aug, 2019 by Ashleigh macpherson
As a solely disability and injury firm, we are frequently presented with the task of referring individuals out to other firms who handle matters outside our areas of practice. It is always with confidence that I recommend Ozarks Elder Law for estate planning, trust management, elder issues and Medicare planning. I have personally observed Attorneys Lori Rook and Jessica Kruse during their handling of complex legal matters, and I could tell that they aim for nothing but the best and most comprehensive representation for their clients.
While estate planning and the tasks that go along with it can be a daunting and sometimes unsettling prospect, the ladies at Ozarks Elder Law have a genuine knack for putting their clients at ease and seeing their matters through to a prompt and appropriate resolution. I recommend their services wholeheartedly.
Ashleigh MacPherson
MacPherson Law, LLC
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13 Nov, 2020 by Jennifer pea
20 Feb, 2020 by Alisa howard
12 Nov, 2019 by Jeremiah ginn
31 Jul, 2013 by Tony
Very knowledgeable, trustworthy. I trust no one else to my needs. His wealth of knowledge exceeds in all facets including finance, family and criminal!
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10 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
Fails to return phone calls, constantly out of town. If I had known this I would have hired a LOCAL attorney. A friend recommended me to this man, only with great disappointment.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Greg nelson
We have dealt with Mr. Landwehr on two separate legal issues and both times he was prompt, courteous, professional, and straightforward. His wisdom and knowledge with our issues were evident in the conversations we had with him. He did not hesitate to tell us when we needed his services and when, if possible, we needed to pursue the issue without his involvement. We were extremely impressed that he gave his advice on how to keep us out of court and assured us, he would be able to help us in the event that we went to court.
His firm will be the first we call in the future if we need legal advice and we will definitely be recommending Mr. Landwehr and his associates to friends and family.
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26 Dec, 2022 by Lisa owsley
06 Mar, 2019 by Allyson ihms
He was very helpful with a frightening situation. Quite reassuring.
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08 Oct, 2013 by Kortnie
When I hired Mr. Adams to represent me it was supposed to be a rather simple case being the other parent was in jail. The other parent ended up getting out and showing up to court. Mr. Adams turned to me and said "We're toast" this is a horrible thing to ever hear from your attorney! The Judge set it over so he could have time to review the case and documents from both parties. Hearing nothing from Mr. Adams and my court hearing getting close I contacted him to see what defense or information he had prepared for court. Stating " I don't even know what this hearing is for" was the response I got. At court the Judge had read all of the false accusations and statements turned in by the other parents attorney and ripped my life apart. Why did I think anything good was going to happen when Mr. Adams never even turned in any kind of defense on my behalf nor did he object to anything that was provably incorrect. To make matters worse evidence left on Mr. Adams voicemail at his work was never even brought up when it would have probably won my case! As an attorney their job is to defend you and fight for your right but family law is more then that. Family Law attorneys are the difference between you seeing your child grow up and because of Mr. Adams I am missing parts of my child's life I can never get back! Making matters worse my child is in an abusive situation that my lawyer could have shown to the Judge, but he didn't and my child to this day is still being abused. As a parent it is your job to protect your child and do whats best for them regardless of what it takes. How could I have known that a wrong choice in an attorney is something that would be such a life shattering experience! The fact that I cry every day and that my child is being abused doesn't seem to matter one bit to Mr. Adams because I've not heard from him. After court he kept saying "I'm sick to my stomach about it" but just as he did nothing in that court room he has done nothing about it since. I have lost the only thing that matters to me in life and cant begin to explain the pain and heartache I live with. All I want to do is maybe prevent anyone else from having to experience it by selecting Mike Adams as their attorney.
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04 Sep, 2012 by Jason
In forming our tech services business Michael shed a lot of light on areas that we hadn't even thought of. He was very professional and my partners and I felt reassured having Michael as our counsel.
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09 Dec, 2021 by Brenda
My sister and I consulted him about some family issues we were having with another sibling concerning the POA over my parents. He gave us several options we could try before getting the courts involved which we wanted to avoid in the first place. Going to try those options and hopefully get this resolved peacefully. He didn't charge us for his advice which was a very kind gesture. He seemed to be genuine about his concern for our elderly.
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20 Apr, 2017 by Steve
Father is the legal guardian of his brother and is mentally retarded with various serious handicaps. Some of his brothers government aid was cancelled and my father hired this lawyer to represent him in fighting for reinstatement. Very costly venture in what was assumed as a failed attempt. I say assumed, because it's over and my father doesn't know if he won or lost. My uncle is very disabled and reinstatement should be a no brainer. This isn't even debatable, to any authority with the ability to reinstatw. If you can't win this one, I don't know what you can win. So, with that, make your own decision.
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19 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr. Shaughnessy was unaware of proper procedure in my case and filed motions that were not allowed in my case. Additionally he failed to provide an affirmative defense when appearing in court.
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21 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Ryan has an excellent working knowledge of real estate related matters and litigation. He is an expert on the subject matter and I recommend his services.
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13 Mar, 2015 by David
My experience with Mr. Trams was a very positive one. Not only was he very knowledgeable regarding the case and contract law pertinent to my issue, he was very responsive and followed-up with me at every turn. I would highly recommend Mr. Trams as he is professional, highly competent and very reasonable.
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10 Oct, 2014 by Anonymous
This guy didn't know what he was doing, seemed to be winging it the whole time and paid little attention to my case, seemed to be involved with other things. Go somewhere where they will respect you.
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27 Apr, 2023 by Jugg suth
SO FAR I AM PLEASED WITH SARA AND MR. SMITH. WE ARE RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF WHAT WILL BE A UNFORTUNATE TIME IN MY LIFE.. GLAD THEY ARE HEAR TO GUIDE ME.
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08 Mar, 2023 by Alisha henson
They charged us thousands more than said to expect and didn't actually do much we honestly believe they've been padding the bill. $200 was missing from the payments I made which they gave back in credit after I found one of the receipts for the $100 payment but Lisa was always extremely rude after that. Wouldn't even acknowledge us in the first court appearance then in the second just kept saying random quotes and telling us to be grateful wasn't worse. Wouldn't even recommend this lawyer for my husband's ex wife. Hire at you're own risk but he's pretty much guaranteed to lose.
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11 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
Sarah is a very good attorney. However, her fees are astronomical. I understand that it's her job but when I ran out of retainer she simply dropped me as a client on the day my deposition was scheduled. I was in complete shambles, with no money, no representation and nowhere to go.
Bottom line: she will do a good job for you if you are prepared to shell out thousands of dollars every month. I was fortunate to retain another attorney in town who did an outstanding job and did not rob me blind.
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05 Apr, 2024 by A c
Affordable estate planning firm. I had a great experience and would recommend it to anyone seeking legal advice!!
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22 Jan, 2024 by Ernie abril
Kelisen and her team ( Taylor & Alejandra) did a great job for me and were really easy to work with. I highly recommend them !
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12 Jan, 2024 by Jessica langley
Highly recommend Kelisen. She is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to family law and really wonderful to speak with. She is just such a compassionate and caring person, and a wonderful attorney to work with.
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4.2
5 Reviews
2.6
92 Reviews
22 Aug, 2024 by David
Very knowledgeable lawyer. Learned alot using him for real estate
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22 Aug, 2024 by Theberliner
Roger’s advice and guidance were pitch-perfect. I am glad I reached out, and I got everything I could have hoped for when hiring him. Moreover, Roger was very generous with availability and accessibility through-out my moment of high stakes, jostling for my clients. His advice and assistance in fine-tuning my negotiations with precision towards the gravamen of the issue at hand in an adversarial situation with the other side. Roger helped me protect my real estate clients. Everything Roger provided to me was simply excellent. On top of that, I enjoyed every one of our conversations. Roger, you made a loyal client, and should the time come when you need a posse, call my number.
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22 Aug, 2024 by Max amon
My brother and I had a consultation with Roger Wallach, where we explained our business model and discussed our ventures. He was an excellent listener and showed complete comprehension of all of the legal requirements and best practices. I would highly recommend Roger to all due to the aforementioned reasons!
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17 Jun, 2021 by Jo ellen craghead
17 Feb, 2020 by Kate nowlin
07 Dec, 2019 by Tara lammers
5.0
20 Reviews
2.1
102 Reviews
31 Aug, 2024 by Nubs
People with integrity
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14 Aug, 2024 by Admin
Our property management company, LBD Properties has been working with the Chase Law Firm for many years. They are great people and are very friendly and professional. Matt is very knowledgeable and does everything that he can for his clients. (By the way, Trissa Jenkins is AWESOME!) Like another reviewer stated, beware of the negative reviews. They are from people that have been evicted. (No wonder they had a bad experience!)
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31 May, 2024 by Leah dougan (cm)
I have been working with him for 2 years going on 3 years and he is the best and him and his team are amazing. I couldn't ask for a better lawyer. Thank you guys so much for everything you do!
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22 Aug, 2024 by David
Very knowledgeable lawyer. Learned alot using him for real estate
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22 Aug, 2024 by Theberliner
Roger’s advice and guidance were pitch-perfect. I am glad I reached out, and I got everything I could have hoped for when hiring him. Moreover, Roger was very generous with availability and accessibility through-out my moment of high stakes, jostling for my clients. His advice and assistance in fine-tuning my negotiations with precision towards the gravamen of the issue at hand in an adversarial situation with the other side. Roger helped me protect my real estate clients. Everything Roger provided to me was simply excellent. On top of that, I enjoyed every one of our conversations. Roger, you made a loyal client, and should the time come when you need a posse, call my number.
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22 Aug, 2024 by Max amon
My brother and I had a consultation with Roger Wallach, where we explained our business model and discussed our ventures. He was an excellent listener and showed complete comprehension of all of the legal requirements and best practices. I would highly recommend Roger to all due to the aforementioned reasons!
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09 Jan, 2024 by Triple s
Slime. This man will happily screw good and bad people. He's known to overcharge for his less than useful guidance and has been dumped by countless clients for that reason. Exaggerates his experience on the Labor board and continually costs clients thousands and thousands of dollars after NLRB makes decisions on his cases.
Do not ever hire or trust this man. There are TONS of labor lawyers on MO worth being represented by. Terry Potter is as cheap and unreliable as his knockoff wizard name. Would give 0 stars if possible on Google.
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22 Jan, 2023 by Joshua schneider
5 out of 5
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22 Jan, 2022 by Venjeana freeman
The 🍟 are always good
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09 Jan, 2024 by Triple s
Slime. This man will happily screw good and bad people. He's known to overcharge for his less than useful guidance and has been dumped by countless clients for that reason. Exaggerates his experience on the Labor board and continually costs clients thousands and thousands of dollars after NLRB makes decisions on his cases.
Do not ever hire or trust this man. There are TONS of labor lawyers on MO worth being represented by. Terry Potter is as cheap and unreliable as his knockoff wizard name. Would give 0 stars if possible on Google.
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22 Jan, 2023 by Joshua schneider
5 out of 5
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22 Jan, 2022 by Venjeana freeman
The 🍟 are always good
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05 Jun, 2023 by Barbara dyson
07 Dec, 2022 by Mark donatiello
Best trial attorneys in the country.
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07 Jun, 2022 by Scott s
What you all have done is unconscionable.
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05 Jun, 2023 by Barbara dyson
07 Dec, 2022 by Mark donatiello
Best trial attorneys in the country.
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07 Jun, 2022 by Scott s
What you all have done is unconscionable.
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30 Apr, 2024 by Malcolm brainerd
Have nothing but good things to say about my experience with this firm, having spent several months working with Pete Salsich and Kara Lambert in particular. Meticulous work and a great experience all around. Highly recommend!
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15 Apr, 2024 by Brian lee bauer
08 Apr, 2024 by F
24 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
My life was falling apart and she was to be filing my divorce. She gave me all these high numbers id be getting from ex-spouse. I had to call and/or email about 20 times to just get an answer or action. Suddenly with no warning she just says she has too much and drops my case. Did not give my money back or anything. It was horrific. She just disappeared.
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14 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
I brought Britta on to represent me in an custody case and I quickly realized she absolutely sucked at communication. From my experience, she does not know much about the fields of law she specializes in like child custody and family law. I believe when someone hires an attorney, that they should be able to trust that attorney to do their job properly and to COMMUNICATE. But Britta did not do either, which resulted in me looking for different/better counsel to handle my case.
I honestly don't know how or why shes still allowed to practice law
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05 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
Britta failed to communicate, blatantly lied about filing documents requested from her by the judge on my behalf, missed filing deadlines, and disappeared. Her failure to submit documents cost me custody of my children. In the order handed down by the judge it states that Britta never submitted findings of facts and conclusion of law, or financial information or a proposed parenting plan. Just mediocre all across the board.
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07 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Joseph Bante is in a very nice office but he is the most incompetent AWFUL lawyer who will NOT fight for you but will make you think and feel that he is. He is friends with all the lawyers and judges and will screw you over even after you fire him and obtain different counsel.
He stutters and it takes him way too long to compose a thought in his mind. He is not eloquent or articulate; it’s atrocious to hear him speak. He will over bill you and then destroy your chances at whatever it is you’re fighting for.
DO NOT MEET WITH OR HIRE JOSEPH BANTE!
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21 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
I used him back in 2019 has a lawyer for a divorce and he failed. He didn’t even fight for me and found out he was good friends with my ex wife’s lawyer. She got the house and the car and cleaned out my bank account. I had to try to fight for myself and it didn’t work. I’ve always was a better person then my ex. She never took care of the kids and I only slept for 5-6 hours a week. And now I’m taking him, my ex wife’s laywer and the judges to federal court. And my new lawyers told me that they let my ex wife lie on her Financials what do you need more money to me but may look like she made hardly anything
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23 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Tried calling him to handle landlord tenant case. He had previously handle 2 for me before. Before I could tell him the whole story, he said he wasn't going to help his competition ????
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23 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Payed. fee just to be caught up in the system now have a large warrant of 5000 dollars behind a 1st offense drivingw while suspended ticket he has made my ticket worser than what is was.
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12 Apr, 2024 by Laura
She’s responsible for tearing apart a family. She refused to let us present witnesses that would have proven innocence.
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12 Mar, 2024 by Sonya
I just watched and listened to the Dateline episodes about her as the judge in Russ"s case. She is a bias horrible person and I'm glad she lost her judgeship. No one should have her representing them. Beware of this person.
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24 Oct, 2014 by Marianne
I needed a lawyer to help me dealing with a contractor who had walked out in the middle of construction for an addition on my home. I called and left a message on a Tuesday morning (Oct. 14, 2014). I received a call back from his assistant later that morning. She took all the info and said that they needed to do a conflict of interest check on all involved parties. She said that I would hear back from her that afternoon or by Wednesday. I received no call back so I called and left a message midday on Thursday. I still received no call back so I called and left another message midday on Friday. I finally received a callback late Friday afternoon and was told that there was a potential conflict of interest that they were still research and that they would get back with me on Monday and let me know. Again, no callback on Monday so I left a message on Tuesday asking them to please call me and let me know what the heck was going on. It is now Friday afternoon (Oct. 24, 2014), 11 days since my first call, and they have never returned that call. I had repeatedly told them that this was a time sensitive issue for me and I needed legal advise quickly so that I could figure out how to proceed with the construction before the winter weather set in.
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26 Aug, 2022 by Leah
My mother used Mr Mullinnex as her attorney for her will for years,she took me to have my will done by Mr Mullennix.My mother has Alzheimer's,my sister took our mother and had her will changed giving my sister power of attorney and executor of our mother's will,our mother already had Alzheimer's and never should've changed her will.My sister is taking advantage of our mother, won't let me or my adult son see my mother,bought a lake house with our mother's money,has it willed to herself, that's just two things.Mr Mullennix has known my mother for years,why isn't he protecting her will.Our mother worked very hard for her money,she wouldn't buy a lake house for one of her children,not even for herself, it's wrong,I need help stopping my sister from taking advantage of our sick mother.
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18 Sep, 2015 by J.d.
I hired this firm for a civil real estate complaint. Thomas Federer passed me off to three different underlings in his Firm. Federer failed to keep me reasonably informed, would not respond to written questions, and even failed to show up for a scheduled Court date. If I had not personally appeared that day and asked the Judge for a continuance, my case would have likely been dismissed. After requesting my written permission for implementing discovery and to file a notice for depositions, it still took the Firm over a year to file such a notice. This Firm is great at generating billing, but not in accomplishing adequate representation.
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29 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Liles accepted my case after our consultation. He was willing to make payment arrangements with me so I was appreciative for that. We agreed $1,500 retainer fee was to be the cost. I made $200 payments bi-weekly until taxes came in. I made 2 payments of $400. Once I got everything paid up Mr. Liles made a order of appearance for me on my case. My case had a year minimum wait before we could go back to change anything. Once time was ready to go back january 2017 I called Me. Liles office every other day. I then started calling weekly up until august. I had multiple left messages, I emailed, I even called his personal phone and did not once get a response from him until august. Just for him to say that he DOESN'T REPRESENT me. He says he didn't have any documentation saying I ever made a payment, or ever starting the payments. He said he would not represent me. That he has other people and other cases to worry about that he didn't have to drop what he was doing just to get back in touch with me. It took me 8 months to get a response. I had receipts but they had gotten stolen when my vehicle did. So Mr. Liles got $1,500 from me for absolutely no work to done in exchange.
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30 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Bruce Wurmerser is an attorney I would strongly recommend NEVER using, he had taken a substantial amount of money never filed a complaint, withdrew never filing a motion (as he never filed that case) and stopped returning all calls.
Attorney Bruce Wurmser had agreed to take a case regarding the City of St. Louis. He was paid a $10,000 retainer and given monthly payments totaling $19,000. He assured me that a case was going to be filed, in November of 2012. He drafted a one page complaint for inverse condemnation, but never in fact filed it. He did minimal research, and never filed a case. He then voluntarily withdrew stating a monthly payment was missed. He did not withdraw through a court order, because there was never a case filed. He took the money did not put in any work never filed a case than abruptly withdrew essentially without any accounting on the monies paid to him.
He withdrew with no notice without handing over any of the files, and did not call the client. He claimed his withdrawal was for not paying a $3,000 monthly fee, which he never verified the hours worked on the case to indicate that he had exhausted initial retainer. Time and again Mr. Wurmser was implored to file even a basic complaint that could have been supplemented, but this was never done. He claimed he had spent many hours researching and meeting with other attorneys but I have in-house counsel that had conducted much of the research. He continually misrepresented work completed on the case. He never offered up the remaining client funds back to client, and did not file as instructed. We received little to no services for the over $19,000 paid to Mr. Wurmser and will be taking further legal action, and believe that further disciplinary action must be taken, as numerous professional rules of conduct were violated by Mr. Wurmser
Submitted along with this complaint is a history of all email communications with Mr. Wurmser, and thoughout you will see that no case was ever filed. Rather it was indicative of his lack of work. He continually represented that he would try and take meetings with opposing counsel, or with previous attorneys, and he never in fact did so after speaking to previous attorneys’. He gave no notice of withdrawal, rather sent letter saying he was withdrawing, and then withdrew, without so much as a phone call. Again do not use Bruce Wurmser as he has caused us to lose much time and money in prosecuting our case, without ever filing even a basic complaint.
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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:
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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.
