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12 Sep, 2018 by Cheryl
I was in a car accident back in November 2017. I tried working with their insurance company with no success. A coworker of mine used Fred during his accident recently and settled quickly. So I contacted Fred, he cared about my well-being and how he felt I was getting the typical run a round by the insurance company . He quickly jumped right on, the hospitals the other insurance company, clinics and the bill collectors that he was our lawyer so we would not be getting the phone calls anymore. Fred is in contact with me at regular basis as issues come. I strongly suggest Fred for anybody out there with the same problems I was going through. You definitely cannot get anything done trying to do this yourself with the insurance companies. He definitely knows his way around the system.
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02 Sep, 2018 by Mark
Fred Thomas runs a small office. He provides direct and personal attention to your case. Communication is consistent, through a portal, so you can track conversations and look at/provide documents. So far our case has progressed nicely...not quite done yet, but I can confidently recommend this practice.
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30 Aug, 2018 by Dan
Everything is in the results, very satisfied, in an insurance settlement/personal injury. The experience was without
drama nor difficulty. I would recommend.
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03 Sep, 2023 by Jay
Timothy D Ducar has to be the worst attorney I ever hired to defend me in a business related suit and counter-suit. He was combative with me, not listening to anything I or other people suggested, lost a preliminary injunction hearing when he should have had the complaint dismissed on day one, and should have had erroneous people listed on the suit dismissed. He never filed a response to my suit, no discovery, no depositions, NOTHING! When I needed him most he bailed on me illegally. I had to represent myself and got more accomplished then he ever could. Beware!
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30 Apr, 2019 by Chris
Tim Ducar has been our go-to collection lawyer for years because he gets results on cases other lawyers are not able to achieve. He has insight that can only come with a lawyer of his experience. I would strongly recommend him for any situation that requires collecting money.
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13 Oct, 2018 by Rosa
I was recommended to Mr. Ducar by a well-known lawyers' firm. I contacted his office and left a message requesting a call back. Mr. Ducar promptly returned my call and assisted me with a debt collection matter. He saved me a lot of money! I ended up only paying a small percentage of the debt. I was extremely happy and impressed with his ability to handle my case, in a friendly and timely manner. I highly recommend his exceptional services. He is a very humble, respectful, knowledgeable, and excellent attorney!
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03 May, 2024 by Kathy
Greg McGill has done an excellent job representing us. He is very knowledgeable in the law, patient, kind and puts up with a lot of unnecessary emails from me. Would use his firm again.
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11 Sep, 2023 by Ccsconnor
Helped my good friend Jorge de Guzmán.
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19 Jul, 2023 by Lorie close
Gregory, did get back with me but, was hoping for a free consultation . His fees were a little bit more than I could handle at this time . Also Looking for some information on this law firm. Last post was 3 years ago. Couldn't find any recent activity.
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03 May, 2024 by Kathy
Greg McGill has done an excellent job representing us. He is very knowledgeable in the law, patient, kind and puts up with a lot of unnecessary emails from me. Would use his firm again.
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11 Sep, 2023 by Ccsconnor
Helped my good friend Jorge de Guzmán.
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19 Jul, 2023 by Lorie close
Gregory, did get back with me but, was hoping for a free consultation . His fees were a little bit more than I could handle at this time . Also Looking for some information on this law firm. Last post was 3 years ago. Couldn't find any recent activity.
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18 Jul, 2023 by Jasmine sarceeman
Quick to bill you but doesn’t provide proper solutions nor does she fight for your rights. The communication is nonexistent until the day of court and doesn’t give any legal advice before hand. A very sloppy and inconsistent lawyer.
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30 May, 2022 by Al moreno
30 Mar, 2022 by Alex yu
Mrs. Hope is a very clam and professional attorney. I trusted her.
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18 Jul, 2023 by Jasmine sarceeman
Quick to bill you but doesn’t provide proper solutions nor does she fight for your rights. The communication is nonexistent until the day of court and doesn’t give any legal advice before hand. A very sloppy and inconsistent lawyer.
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30 May, 2022 by Al moreno
30 Mar, 2022 by Alex yu
Mrs. Hope is a very clam and professional attorney. I trusted her.
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18 Jul, 2023 by Jasmine sarceeman
Quick to bill you but doesn’t provide proper solutions nor does she fight for your rights. The communication is nonexistent until the day of court and doesn’t give any legal advice before hand. A very sloppy and inconsistent lawyer.
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30 May, 2022 by Al moreno
30 Mar, 2022 by Alex yu
Mrs. Hope is a very clam and professional attorney. I trusted her.
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29 Apr, 2024 by Kimberly dyer
John Schill helped me years ago while divorcing a seasoned divorce lawyer. John is licensed in several states which is rare, has a great deal of experience and his CPA certification is a huge plus in detection of divorce planning behaviors to protect your interests and he is the kind of man to protect the interests of your children. He also has a lot of connections to help you get the best results possible. You can trust this man. Plus he has a great personality and sense of humor too. He is a huge family man with a great heart.
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08 Apr, 2024 by Lizbeth guzmán
My son was beyong nervous and scared when his wife served him with divorce because he has small children and didn't want to miss seeing them despite the divorce. The Schill Law Group team was there to catch him and help him through the very difficult divorce with kids. Thanks for being our back bone during this strenous time. We appreciate you.
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08 Apr, 2024 by Darwin chapa
We called around to multiple firms and settled in on Schill Law Group after speaking to John. John calmed us and assigned Matt Jefferson to handle my case and he did a beyond great job and also communicating with me along the way. I'm so happy we went with our "gut" feeling and hired them. Thank you again.
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07 Jun, 2023 by Johnna dion
Matt H. Helped us in a criminal case. Thank you !
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13 Mar, 2023 by Robert peer
Very pleasant experience. They had a great perspective with our situation as a landlord with a less than honest management company. We would recommend this group to family/friends.
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22 Feb, 2023 by Heidi hilo
Sends post cards blatantly advertising a felony charge. Extremely unprofessional and a pathetic attempt to draw in business. Would rate a 0 if possible.
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10 Jun, 2019 by Lee
I needed to form an Arizona LLC. Not a big engagement but I was treated as if it was a big engagement. Timely service and at a reasonable fee,
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26 May, 2019 by Paul
Mary and her team have always been nothing short of world-class. Before finding them, my house was at risk of being force sold because of a jealous and stubborn ex. Not only did Mary ensure I was able to keep my home, afterwards she has been a trusted expert when the crazy ex does bubble back up sometimes. 10 of 10, would use again!
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17 May, 2019 by David
Mary and her staff were very good. She did her work quickly and well. She also followed up to ensure all the paperwork was handled correctly. I will definitely us her office with my future legal needs.
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11 May, 2024 by Eli
Ben is so empathetic and helpful. He works with his clients to get the best results, including me. He brings a sense of calm in chaotic situations. The only people that don’t like him are usually his adversaries. They like to leave nasty reviews.
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11 May, 2024 by Vivian
Ben is a decent lawyer for simple disputes. For complex cases I would highly recommend finding an experienced attorney who is more qualified. Ben’s wife is a local dentist. He likes to call and intimidate patients that do not have a good experience at her office.
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09 Jun, 2018 by Joe
Ben helped me personally prevail in a confounding two-year dispute against an intractable organization. His legal acumen, patience, thoughtfulness, strategy, and guidance were without question instrumental in the successful outcome. I would recommend him without hesitation, and refer him out at every opportunity.
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04 Feb, 2015 by Lori
Scott Williams has represented me in several real estate related matters and he is amazing. He knows the law so well that I pity any one he goes against. He also has a mild manner in stating his well presented facts to the court. He is brilliant and charming. His fees are far less than he deserves. I have nothing but praise for this amazing attorney.
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10 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Scott knows his real estate law but I found it very frustrating that the communication was weak. After the first hearing which we were told that he would let us know the results immediately after he was out of the court ... we had to call multiple times (5 to 7 times) including calling mid day just to be told he was out to lunch...we would have appreciated if he had taken two minutes to let us know the results so we could have had more time during the day to prepare for the trial. I am a "communication" type person so the lack of direct communication from Scott and his not explaining the process in detail and waiting till the last minute at the trial proceeding to tell us what could happen left us at a disadvantage. We had given him all the documents he needed to win and he would have won but he said it was better to settle. However, he was also dealing with a very unethical tenant who was lying and his equally unethical and lying attorney. Scott on the other hand is ethical and honest so I would recommend using him. Despite these issues we were satisfied with the end result.
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06 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Scott seems to be doing a good job against a very unethical tenant who lies and although he has broken the lease terms fat Tim refuses to move. Makes me not want to rent ever again but I know good people are out there and I just got a rotten apple. Combine this tenant with his lying daughter and I am just hoping that Scott will be able to expose the fact that they are dishonest people and the truth will prevail in court.
Stay tune and I hope to report that Scott won!
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24 Sep, 2024 by Keegan
After years of working with different attorneys for my company, I found Brian Weinberger to be the most experienced, hard working, and professional in the Phoenix area. In addition, Brian is by far the best litigator I’ve seen.
Brian represented my company in a partnership dispute with an aggressive, proactive strategy and was prepared for anything that was thrown our way. After 2+ years, the case ended in a favorable result for me and my company.
When it comes to contract disputes, commercial litigation, and corporate law, I can’t recommend Brian Weinberger enough. Hire Brian and trust him to do what he does best.
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21 Mar, 2022 by Russell
HES THE WORST LAWYER EVER ,DON'T USE HIM BECAUSE HE WILL USE AS ATM MACHINE AND HE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE LAW.
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25 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I got deceived by Brian's overwhelming positive google reviews. I wish I did more research before hiring him such as looking him up at the Arizona Bar Association. He has a history of being in trouble with the bar association and was put on probation.
Source: https://azbar.legalserviceslink.com/ and search for his name.
I paid a huge flat fee to Brian to take care of everything. Filing ligation and get the money if won. Once I paid him everything he barely responded to any of my emails or calls. It took him on average from 2 weeks to months (with constant calling and emailing) to respond. When he does respond, he would only answer the question he wants and avoiding most of the questions I asked. For instance, I would ask him 5 questions and he'll answer 1 or 2 questions and ignore the rest; even when I resend those questions again he continued to choose not to answer.
It took him nearly a year to file a simple ligation.
Fortunately, we won the ligation by default because the other party didn't respond.
When its time to collect money; he showed me no attempt at collecting money. I even had to request him to place liens on the properties of the people I sue before they filed bankruptcy and to secure the money I won from judgment. I even had to do my own research (which should be his job) and tract down all the properties (which he does not know how to do) so that he can put liens on. I emailed him all the properties to put liens on. It's been around 6-8 months now and he still has NOT filed the lien for me; therefore jeopardizing my chance of ever going to be able to collect money.
It has been two years of constant frustration with Brian, therefore I highly do NOT recommend him. Please save yourself from frustration. If you do hire him, please do not pay everything outright since based on my experience, he neglected me once he took all my money.
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18 Mar, 2016 by Donna volden
I hired Mr. Martinez to help me in an estate issue. He charged me $500 for a demand letter. I was satisfied with the letter, but we didn't get the response from the other party that we needed and so we needed to move forward. He told me to set up and prepay for a phone consultation, which I did.
The consultation was to determine next steps and if we should proceed. We decided to proceed. After the call he informed me that his schedule was busy for the next month and we would proceed the next month. I waited patiently, then emailed him/called and didnt hear back. He finally reached out to me a few weeks later to tell me that he was too busy for my case. I feel mislead and never would have spent the additional $275 for a call to discuss next options. His response was that he had answered an additional email prior to the call. I spent almost $800 to bring Mr. Martinez up to speed on my case only to have to do it again with another lawyer. His point was that I was satisfied with the results of the call, so I got what I paid for. I was only satisfied with the call because we had agreed to proceed. Had I known he was too busy to take the case, I never would have proceeded with the first demand letter. I assumed part of the $500 was for him to be come familiar with the case. I am very disappointed with his lack of professionalism. There were a few red flags, that I shouldn't have ignored.
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22 Dec, 2015 by Chris
We dealt with Mr Martinez for 3 years on a real estate contract between relatives. His patience and professionalism in handling this fiasco was beyond reproach considering opposing counsel and his client were anything but cooperative or professional. Not only did he keep us informed, but listened to our concerns, answered our never ending questions and met me at the airport when I had to come to AZ to take possession of the property. Without him I know this mess would not have finally been settled. I would highly recommend Mr Martinez to anyone wanting to deal with an attorney who will work hard for you and not look at a client as a dollar sign.
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17 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Adam responded in a timely manner and provided me with all of the information that I needed. Should I decide to go forward with my case I will definitely hire him.
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23 Jan, 2024 by Cristine currie
Professional, prompt, clear and supportive legal advice. Highly recommend and would not hesitate to use in the future if ever needed.
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20 Dec, 2023 by Caroline carlson
Michelle Matheson took the time to thoroughly go through documents prepared by my employer and explain options and opportunities. I appreciate her level headed guidance and highly recommend her services.
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10 Nov, 2023 by Julie engel
Michelle guided me through a very unexpected and traumatic situation, and brought it to successful close. She was able to look after my best interests and the situation was brought to a close efficiently and quickly. I highly recommend her for work related issues. She is incredibly knowledgeable.
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22 Jan, 2024 by Patricia
Andrew and his team are very professional. He came highly recommended by several top doctors in Arizona. His team was very thorough and gives you a great estate planning product in the end. This is his area of expertise and you don't have to have millions to get a well planned estate. Great attorney who knows trust and wills!
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30 Nov, 2023 by Michael
I was very impressed with the ease of setting up my Trust. I met with Andrew via zoom, all docs were reviewed and submitted, dates scheduled to sign, the hardest part was deciding who gets what. I was very pleased with Andrew and his office performance.
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01 Jul, 2022 by Laura
I had been in communication with Andrew regarding an issue and we spoke on the phone and exchanged several emails about the next steps. Then he stopped communicating, all together. I reached out multiple times and he failed to call me back. Very unprofessional. I have MetLife Legal Plans in which they will pay upon completion, if that was going to be a problem for Andrew, he never indicated that to begin with.
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18 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
My wife and I hired Adam for an equine fraud case and were extremely disappointed in the entire experience. He originally led us to believe our case was stronger than he later admitted it was and this led to us hiring him. We spent over 13,000 to get no money back because he really doesn’t have very good negotiating skills. The fee padding was so over the top he had another attorney being billed and his paralegal as well to the tune of so many hours more than is reasonable or necessary and we would never ever use Adam or this firm again.
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13 Feb, 2015 by Halley
I have used Adam Trenk as my personal lawyer for years. Also after I used him with such personal success my boss whom is an NFL player also uses him. He is very professional and always available. Even when all the law jargon can get confusing and overwhelming he took the time to make sure I understood everything....saving me thousands of dollars. I would highly recommend Adam Trenk for any legal advice.
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05 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Adam Trenk is a standup Lawyer, Man and Human Being. If I had to step into a fight, he is the kind of guy I want on my side. Adam does not waver when faced with opposition. He Stands Up for for what is right and is extremely knowledgable in his profession. I am confident that Adam will well represent and protect each and every client as he has done so for myself and my family.
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09 Dec, 2022 by Galleryandrea scottsdale
If you are looking for an amazing attorney look not further. Bill Black is a very experienced attorney with winning results. He is great to work with and will make you feel confident and at ease during the process. He has a great personality and might make you laugh too.
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21 Sep, 2021 by Estefania munoz
My boyfriend had a pretty difficult custody case in which he was incorrectly served and had little to no custody of our son. We worked with Kirk and he gave us everything we hoped for and more. He was professional , personable , and persistent. Easy to get a hold of. I cannot recommend Stratton Law enough. I am forever thankful.
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23 Jun, 2021 by Courtney griffith
Called and made an appointment in the office. So I drove 20 minutes to the office. Once I got to the office, the front desk lady asked me who I was here to see and no name was given to me so I called them to let them know I was here (and on time). They told me they’d send someone to come get me. I sat and waited over 20 minutes. So I called them again and it went to voicemail. Waited 10 more minutes and nothing. I feel it is very unprofessional especially when there is an appointment scheduled. I had other things to do and went out of my way to get a babysitter and drive all the way down to the office. Very disappointing.
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03 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
I have known and worked with Terry Dunmire for years- decades, in fact. As a sole practitioner, he has tremendous experience in many areas of the law, including family, real estate and commercial law and litigation. Terry is a thoughtful and persevering lawyer who thinks through strategy and diligently prosecutes client matters.
Among other matter, I retained Terry to structure the ownership and management of a real estate rental project. The work was done quickly and economically, with no trailing legal issues.
Terry has flexible fee and compensation arrangements available for his clients. His services are very reasonably priced.
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16 Dec, 2013 by Dawn
Every time we went to court, my ex had to pay 90% of atty fees. I had given Dunmire a retainer of $5,000 and after deducting the 10% of court and atty fees owed, I not only did not get a refund from the monies left over from the retainer, I received a bill for thousands more. In the end, I lost 9 years spousal support totally over $300,000 and he never even had the ethics to tell me.
Do NOT hire this guy, you are in for nothing but heartache and Trouble.
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21 Dec, 2012 by Steve
Terry handled a contract dispute and counterclaim for my partner and I in 1999. It was a frivolous business sale contract/breach/fee for services suit. The original claim was based on the fact that I had invested in an llc that was under contract for sale and that investment constituted a sale and therefore a broker fee was due the listing agent.
Pretty straightforward up til this point right? The plaintiff's attorney and the broker had been strong arming people in this manner for years. That is they would sue for fees even if no actual sale ever occurred. They had a horrible reputation and my partner wanted to hurt them.
My partner was advised that they would settle for 25k, I offered to pay just to make this go away. But Terry told him that he could counter sue based on damages arising out of the original suit. He said that we had a case against the plaintiff because were not able to re-sell our business in a timely manner, it was a night club and we had a buyer who backed out because of the pending litigation. Terry convinced my partner that he could win huge, upwards of a half a million dollars, I remained very skeptical.
Once we arrived in court however Terry's case was systematically dismissed piece by piece. Not by the arguments of the plaintiff's attorney, but by the judge!!. Finally the judge started to insult Terry, questioned where if ever he had studied. The spectators and witnesses were all laughing. Years later when Terry finally brought his fee dispute with me to arbitration the court reporter claimed that she still remembered the case because of all the laughing and said it was the worst she had seen in her 35 yr career.
What could make this worse? After the judge had dismissed both sides cases against the other was the fees. Not only were they outrageous, nearly 90k, but under the manner the judge ruled Terry could have filed for re-reimbursement from the plaintiff but didn't!!!!!
Yes you read that right.
Terry continued to hound me for years, 8 yrs., before he finally got a lien on my property out of state.
I had to pay Terry 20k to sell my home.
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21 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
David is hands down the worst human being I’ve ever met. He’s lied, scammed, gave me the wrong court date and had me falsely evicted just to make money during super bowl, Phoenix open, & the Super Bowl! He’s a coward and verbally abusive and no one should ever work with him, hire him, or rent from him.
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08 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
Called about a false claim and he started yelling and became very unprofessional. He purposely sent a process server to the wrong address and proceeded with the case I was unaware of and didn't file a claim with my insurance. My insurance said he has the wrong person and now I can't get my license back till I pay him. No one should ever have h represent their company
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16 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Did business with this lawyer on an apartment rental. Was super upset that I asked his son to take the "Trump for President" signs down after the election. So as pay back, he left me a negative review with no basis of fact. I since have texted and emailed and got no response. Don't do business with a dishonest person. The election is over and you need to get over it -- Biden is the new president!
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29 Nov, 2020 by Anna
She was the lawyer for the other side. It was truly unbelievable how she continuously lied and fabricated stories about the defendant's character to try and win the case. She is disgusting and unscrupulous. It was discovered her lies had no merit. The law ethics committee should investigate her unscrupulous tactics.
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09 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
She is one of the most Incompetent lawyers I've ever hired. I regret the money I lost hiring her as I had to hire someone else.
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26 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
Stanley is very quick to tell his story but has a problem with listening. Suggests that business owners pay 3% commission in case the retail outlet won’t give him enough money. Never heard that in 30 years. He brags about losing a lot of weight (congrats) and he makes certain you know he’s not just a commercial broker, but a CPA and a lawyer. ? Why is that relevant Stanley? Then, knowing I wouldn’t sign his ridiculous offer, sends a note of rejection. No sir, you were rejected far before you sent that note. Ego check much Stanley?
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02 Dec, 2022 by Ryan
Christina has a poor understanding of even the law she specializes in. If she billed at $25.00 an hour we would not recommend.
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28 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
Handled a case for a family member. Passive aggressive. Did not get good outcomes. Waste of money and 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.
