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02 Jan, 2019 by Kryan4u
John Haluck is a fantastic and ethical attorney. Brilliant trial attorney. He has the special skill set that few have. Highly rated.
Ken McDonough
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17 Oct, 2018 by One advanced
02 Jan, 2019 by Kryan4u
John Haluck is a fantastic and ethical attorney. Brilliant trial attorney. He has the special skill set that few have. Highly rated.
Ken McDonough
Read more
17 Oct, 2018 by One advanced
02 Jan, 2019 by Kryan4u
John Haluck is a fantastic and ethical attorney. Brilliant trial attorney. He has the special skill set that few have. Highly rated.
Ken McDonough
Read more
17 Oct, 2018 by One advanced
30 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Only spoke to Brian once, he said he could provide everything from start to finish. After that, he passed me off to an associate attorney. She made more mistakes than I could keep up with. Finally, she passed me off her paralegal who had to finished all the paperwork! I could never get a call back from Brian or the associate attorney. Everytime I called the office, the receptionist was not very helpful, I was told that Brian was not located in that office and she had no way to transfer a call to him. The only person I could finally talk to was the paralegal. Worse experience ever! I felt like this was not a legit real estate attorney group!
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01 May, 2024 by Jimmy
I hired Brian Clark & Associates Attorneys Real Estate Group (ARG) after a CLC referral in October 2023 to represent me at a mediation meeting to attempt to get my earnest money deposit (EMD) returned to me by a sketchy house flipper who misled me during the purchase process. In the initial consultation I was told that this was an easy case and that the fees would be about $3000-$4500 when in the end they spent much more time on this case than they had quoted me for and the bill was closer to $8500. I was initially assigned a young attorney in mid October 2023 but as the mediation date in early November approached she told me that she wouldn’t be able to represent me at the mediation anymore and that one of the partners at the law firm would attend instead. The law firm failed to have my mediation brief and a replacement attorney ready in time for the mediation which forced me to reschedule the mediation session after the mediator contacted me on the weekend before the mediation session letting me know that my attorney failed to give him the mediation brief by the deadline he gave us. After I followed up by email and by phone the weekend before the mediation was supposed to happen they finally assigned a new attorney to my case and he prepared the mediation brief a few days after the mediation was supposed to have occurred. When the mediation finally happened in early December 2023 the attorney failed to properly represent me by going from arguing for the entire EMD to be returned to me to pretty quickly encouraging me to settle for less than half of the EMD. He also called me by the wrong name in front of me when he was presenting to the mediator (he called me Jose instead of my name Jimmy, which honestly felt humiliating and discriminatory coming from the person who was supposed to be keeping my best interest in mind. Ultimately he was a pushover and basically stopped arguing on my behalf, instead buying a few of the counter arguments used against me by the opposing side. That same attorney called me “Jose” again when he wrote up a draft follow-up email to the mediator and claimed it was autocorrect when I questioned him about this and after I had already told him to please stop calling me by the wrong name. I later found out that the young attorney who said she couldn’t represent me anymore had actually stopped working for them even though I was never informed by the law firm about this when she stopped handling my case, and when I showed the legal brief to an attorney friend a few months ago he said he was surprised at the poor quality of legal argumentation on the part of the attorney who wrote it. ARG also tried to bill me for the so-called work that the first attorney did when she failed to meet the mediator’s deadline for the legal briefs. To their credit, ARG removed most of those fees after I disputed those charges. Ultimately, I lost most of my EMD and the little I gained back was pretty much eaten up by ARG’s legal fees. So, if you are looking for legal representation for a real-estate related matter, please look elsewhere because Brian Clark & Associates will waste your time and money.
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10 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
Brian gave a hard sales pitch to get us to sign him as both an estate attorney and real estate agent. After we signed, my father’s condition worsened and we needed to take out loans to pay for his care. We called Brian to make sure our estate and legal paperwork were in order and he never called us or had another attorney call us. Then, the doctor informed my father was dying and 6 messages and one week later — still no attorney called.
In place, Brian had a real estate broker go to my father’s hospital room to get paperwork signed. The real estate broker fielded all legal questions without supervision and ultimately did all the paperwork wrong.
We fired Brian and hired an estate law firm who immediately contacted my father and had his trust paperwork correctly set up with all correct notaries and witnesses within a week.
After that is done, Brian Clark’s partner finally makes first contact to tell me that I cant fire Brian (even though the legal retainer says i can fire him at any time) because he’s also a real estate broker or assigned one in his office.
He insists Brian will sell the house anyway and refuses to acknowledge he was fired.
Snake oil salesman. Incompetent. Dishonest.
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18 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
I retained Ryan for a civil dispute. He passed my case onto a novice attorney at his office who was also named Ryan. I ultimately fired them.
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23 May, 2017 by Tennyson
I had an initial consultation with Ryan about a construction defect/engineering malpractice case and was impressed with him and his firm. He was very thorough and had even printed out the Contractors State License Board and Board for Professional Engineers complaints (300+ pages) I had filed and had sent him by email prior to our meeting. He clearly presented my options and risks in detail and provided his recommendations. Ryan recommended that I wait 30 days to find out what the state agencies I filed complaints with do before retaining him to start legal action. I was impressed by his desire to work as efficiently as possible for me (and thus minimize costs) and also by his generously spending over an hour with me to discuss options and review my documentation. I will definitely hire him if the state regulatory agencies don't resolve my problems.
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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.
