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28 Nov, 2012 by Michelle
I have extensive experience doing both cross cultural research and business. Without hesitation I would say Craig Aronoff is the most unprofessional individual I have ever conducted business with.
The case I brought Craig Aronoff was a case for my 90 year old grandfather who has been in critical condition fighting cancer. After having my grandfather sign a contract with Aronoff & Linnell PLLC I was propositioned by a friend of Craig Aronoff who is substantially older than me. Upon rejection of Craig Aronoff ‘s friend’s proposition, Craig Aronoff passive aggressively attempted to take vengeance on me by completely ignoring all phone calls and emails in my grandfather’s interest.
Craig Aronoff‘s choice to not honor a contractual agreement my grandfather signed is reprehensible. However, this accurately represents the character and professional standard that Craig Aronoff and the Aronoff & Linnell PLLC firm uphold. Furthermore, this particular case was a simple collection of a judgement that my grandfather had already been awarded. Craig Aronoff choosing to jeopardize his professional reputation and not honor an agreement over such a straightforward case shows a enormous lack of judgement. Finally, taking advantage of someone in such a vulnerable state shows a lack of character, integrity and class.
To add insult to injury, while meeting with a client at a local establishment, him and a group of his middle-aged friends stumbled into the facility completely inebriated. They harassed me with underhanded comments that I completely ignored. Even though their harassing comments pushed me to leave the establishment they escalated their harassment to shouting across the facility as I was departing.
I STRONGLY caution anyone from even considering doing business with Craig Aronoff and Aronoff & Linnell PLLC. There are far too many good law firms and good attorneys out there for anyone to even consider even interviewing or meeting with anyone from the Aronoff & Linnell PLLC firm.
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26 May, 2010 by Anonymous
I contacted Mr. Arononoff regarding a short sale of my home. He was helpful in talking to me a bit about the process and directed me to the firm's website to download their short sale document package. After completing all documentation, I then sent an e-mail back with the documentation asking to contact me with next steps. 5 days went by without a response so I called a left a voicemail and got no response. I waited another 2 days, called and left a message with the receptionist and got no response.
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15 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
I hired Anita back in the beginning of 2008. At first she was very helpful, but after a while she was very hard to contact about the status of my case. I would call and e-mail her, but she would not return my calls. After I said I was going to hire another lawyer, she finally called me back. In Dec. 2009 we went to court about my case. It is now Feb. 2011 and I have NOT heard from her at all since than about where to go from here about my case. I've tried calling and sending e-mails again and again to no avail.
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07 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
Had a consultation with him. He reviewed my info gave me price then stopped answering the phone. I was ready to move forward and he just flaked out. I had to start the whole process over and get another lawyer
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08 Mar, 2019 by Faye
do your research before hiring Robin, i hired her with doing a consultation over the phone for a wrongful tenant eviction / judgment that a property management company put faints me who wasn’t authorized due to the landlord being deceased, to make a long story short i told her the story she act as if she agreed that payments should go to the estate, but once we got to court it’s almost like she was working with the other attorney against me, not taking the proff i had to show this property management company was bogus, she advised me of things i already knew and we discussed, she was a complete waste, i would see elsewofor legal advice
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04 Sep, 2024 by Chris
Gary took our case, but was clearly out of his league and did not have the legal chops to be effective as our attorney. This was our fault for taking a recommendation from an associate. Poor communicator, disorganized, and questionable billing led to us firing him and seeking more competent council.
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FAQs
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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.
