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01 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
Intelligent and extremely sharp lawyer. Sally works closely with her clients to get the best results. She is truly an amazing lawyer with great work ethics.
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12 Mar, 2012 by Mai
Lasy year, I was in really bad shape financially because of the large amount of credit card debt I had incurred. Sally Chan and West Themis Law worked tirelessly to settle all my credit card accounts.
I put complete trust in Sally and her team to always act in my best interest to get me the best outcomes possible. Sally was very knowledgable about the credit card industry and I was impressed with the methods and strategies used to get me the best results possible.
Throughout the process, Sally's team kept me well-informed and followed up tirelessly with the credit card companies.
As of February this year I am 100% credit card debt-free thanks to Sally and her amazing team at West Themis Law.
A huge financial burden has been lifted off my shoulders and I am eternally grateful to Sally and her team for this.
I highly recommend Sally and West Themis Law.
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10 Mar, 2012 by George
As a seasoned business professional, I have retained at least 10 attorneys in the past for matters such as bankruptcy creditor actions, partnership disputers, labor law defense, customs disputes, commercial real estate and copyright actions.
Of all the law firms my businesses have retained, Sally and her team at West Themis are by far, the most astonishing. They work 10x faster and more efficient than all of the attorneys and law firms that I've used. Sally's methods are very concise, methodical, and strategic. She filed a certain motion in a case that my former attorneys at a larger firm never did. With her firm, I got answers, strategy, and results at much lower rates.
Sally is the managing partner at West Themis Law. This law firm has a team of attorneys and professionals that handle different related areas of law that helps them strategize and attack each matter with different areas of law. They don't do copyright.
All in all, I am very impressed. I think their secret to delivering quality, fast, and affordable representation is because of Sally's management style and use of technology. Also, I am sure that not locating themselves in a high riser definitely translates to savings to their clients. Like I said, highly recommended.
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17 Dec, 2012 by Roland
Ms. Price guided us through complicated commercial real estate leasing and general business issues. She ensured that our contracts went through with no surprises. Excellent work.
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25 Apr, 2016 by Juan
Brian has helped for years. The first time I used his service
( case). My wife and I knew that we he was the person that
we where going call when we needed help. Thru the years
that we have recommend him to family and friends. Thanks Brian.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Rangel mendez
Dishonest has no ethics
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13 Aug, 2024 by R rj
This guy I cannot call a man. Very lil to call a lawyer. Lawyers are supposed to have dignity, honesty, integrity and honor. Which this person lacks. He can get caught lying and will still lie at your face. He will try to take advantage of you, if he sees you as ignorant. The lack of honor he has and dignity he has. Is so disgusting. He lies in front of the judge! (IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE). That’s right and when you say the truth. He looks at you with such a narcissistic look!
If you had a case with this person and lost do appeal it a sue him back! I will be reporting his ethics and any sending recordings to the board. He likes to call people names around the hallways of the court. Even inside courtroom will talk about you. And say that you may have secret handshakes or bribe court staff members to win cases. While in court where things get recorded.
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06 Jun, 2023 by Miya glasauer
I just talked with Attorney Heckmann. He was very kind and willing to guide me at the initial consultation without even charging me the fee. Seems very knowledgeable and straightforward. I will definitely hire him if I have problems with my tenants in the future.
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24 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
Hugh outright verbally lied to me before I hired him. We were the only 2 people in our only face-to-face meeting. I came to him with a trust instrument I had managed to get via a previous lawyer from the 2 trustees (with a history of being untrustworthy to me) of a standard abc trust created by my parents in 1989. My father, pretty much the sole breadwinner, died in 1992. I had heard the trust included some individual family money my father had inherited in 1989. The trust instrument didn’t include schedules, and the trustees chose not to send a record of assignments or disbursements, even though requested.
Hugh told me verbally that the law was “black and white” in this area, that the trustees HAD to provide the financial accounting of what was assigned, what was left, and more-or-less what was disbursed. He said we would have to resend the first letter sent 1.5 years before, and that, if the trustees still refused to cooperate, we would petition the court to order the information and then move to ask for their removal as trustees (assuming further lack of accounting). Then I would be named trustee and we would subpoena the missing documents. He said it was possible there was little money left, but that I would at least know the true financial info. I paid $5G. He asked me to research additional addresses online and to provide the emails 1 trustee had written outlining various loans/gifts made to the 2nd trustee and non-beneficiaries. (I had found online that making loans to trustees is generally considered to be trust mismanagement.) I sent the addresses/emails. He never commented on those emails, despite me writing him asking whether this was proof of trust mismanagement. Emails filled with lies from the trustees (one disproved by another email I sent to Hugh) followed. There were time extensions requested too, and the number of them was something Hugh contradicted himself about verbally via phone vs email. He phoned I should grant every requested extension, based on what he knew the judge would say once we petitioned the court (which never happened).
Near the end, a lawyer for the trustees wrote that I was NOT entitled to any accounting. Hugh responded there was case-law. She asked for the cases and he refused to provide them.
Finally a trustee-homemade accounting, one that didn’t seem believable considering past spending, came. I emailed Hugh about when were we going to petition the court to get the real info? Hugh refused to directly answer any of my questions. Finally, I googled from another lawyer site that I was NOT entitled to an accounting as a remainder beneficiary for a trust made before 2007! Wow!
We then had a 2nd phone call (after hiring). He said that maybe the money my father inherited hadn’t been put in the trust. Maybe he died “intestate,” which meant my mother and offspring would divide it equally. (Talk about out of “left-field!”) He asked if I had been notified of any probate- no. He said he would do a deed search on the marital home- no, wait, the other lawyer did that. Hugh never explained what purpose that had. He kept repeating himself, moving away from the speaker, and interrupting my questions. Afterward I thought- wait, isn’t that pretty much the POINT of trusts-to AVOID probate and estate taxes, which my father hated? Hugh wanted $1500 more to do a probate/will search. I was feeling misgiving, but after even MORE googling and remembering the word “executor” having once been used, I thought maybe I could get SOME idea of what went into that trust, perhaps through a “pour-over” will. A month later Hugh had emailed nothing about the house deed, nor probate nor will. I asked for an update and said he never directly answered any of my questions. I got a rude email saying I looked for him to confirm a personal diatribe against a trustee and he wasn’t going to represent me anymore- like that was even an issue anymore! LOL Net result: $6500 poorer due to Hugh, and I have none of the promised info!
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23 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
He was more concerned with making money for himself and his firm than he was in taking care of us.
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22 Sep, 2010 by Anonymous
I met him via my real estate friend to do the eviction of my tenant. He seemed to be knowledgeable but it's almost impossible to get hold of him, in spite of leaving many many messages with his "secretary" and he never returns his phone call. It took so long to process the eviction and at the end, I ending up losing so much money. My tenant finally moved out because she happen to finally found a place to move, not because Dennis did anything to move her out. If you need to evit someone, I won't hire him. I tried two different times since he was only person I knew and I lived far away from my rental home but this will be the last time. It was worse in the second time.
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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.
