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09 Jan, 2025 by Leslie rosas
19 Dec, 2024 by Sid alford
If you have anyone else representing you then you’re wrong. He actually cares and that’s a rare trait in people nowadays.
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18 Dec, 2024 by Catherine lazo
Stephen Pfeiffer was very upfront with outcomes so we could figure out what options we were working with. We greatly appreciate what you did for us at the end. Although we didn’t get the results we were wishing for we are aware there are always consequences to not abiding to the law. I can say he did great in helping us out as much as possible when it came to my husband’s situation.
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09 Jan, 2025 by Leslie rosas
19 Dec, 2024 by Sid alford
If you have anyone else representing you then you’re wrong. He actually cares and that’s a rare trait in people nowadays.
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18 Dec, 2024 by Catherine lazo
Stephen Pfeiffer was very upfront with outcomes so we could figure out what options we were working with. We greatly appreciate what you did for us at the end. Although we didn’t get the results we were wishing for we are aware there are always consequences to not abiding to the law. I can say he did great in helping us out as much as possible when it came to my husband’s situation.
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5.0
54 Reviews
13 Nov, 2024 by Anthony
This attorney new what he was talking about. He got right to the point. Most importantly, he knew what I was talking about and translate it to legal terms. That's something that I couldn't do had I been there alone.
Thanks to him. I strongly recommend him to anyone who needs representation.
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09 Nov, 2024 by Genesis
He’s just too good. He saved me from going to jail, I just wanna use this time to tell him thank you, I am a Christian so I will say God bless you sir.
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08 Nov, 2024 by Robert
Out standing court work, I really picked up what Mr. Greenside was putting down during my case. He's very professional, polite and easy to work with, should I ever need another lawyer he's definitely the only person I'm doing business with thanks again sir.
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04 Feb, 2025 by Lee masterson
A privilege to work with. Professional and attentive to every detail.
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20 Jan, 2025 by Karin garrett
Very impressed with both the details, kindness and patience shown by all the staff towards my mom, specially Jonathan Hughes.
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07 Jan, 2025 by O. l.
I'm an attorney, but not licensed to practice in Virginia. My father had recently passed and left some IRA certificates at a Federal Credit Union (FCU) in Virginia Beach without a designated beneficiary. This FCU refused to transfer ownership of the IRAs to his surviving spouse, i.e., my 90+ year old mother. Attorney L. Ashley Brooks explained to us and argued to the FCU that Virginia law supported my mother's ownership. With Counsel Brooks' excellent legal counsel and the helpful assistance of the paralegals and support staff at the Law Office of Angela N. Manz, my family was able to reach a successful outcome in our dispute with the FCU.
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14 Nov, 2024 by Anonymous
Mr. Colvin is hands down the best in the business! Extremely thorough, concise, and an expert in every phase of his profession! Highly recommended for any business related legal matters you may have!
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23 May, 2023 by Ted
Mr. Colvin assisted with the review of a Franchise FDD document and forming a LLC business entitiy. He was through and responsive throughout the process. The pratice offered more than fair pair. I intend to utilized my Colvin's services in the future.
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10 Mar, 2023 by Beth
We used Mr. Colvin's legal services to purchase a franchise. Mr. Colvin worked directly with the franchisor to provide the necessary documentation while looking after our best interests and keeping us informed of the progress. Mr Colvin is patient, knowledgeable and explains legal matters in an understandable way. We will continue using his services by providing legal counsel for our franchise. I would highly recommend Mr Colvin.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Calvin
She is very professional very well trained, she is always willing to give me advice regarding my concerns.
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29 Oct, 2023 by Craig
My wife contacted Lindsay for some estate planning concerning her parents. Lindsay discovered that there was some discrepancy in the city records stating back decades. She and her team went above and beyond to find the source documents and square everything away for us. Thank you and well done.
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20 Oct, 2023 by Ann
I've had the opportunity to work with Lindsay and her team the last several years and they are top notch. I highly recommend Lindsay and her team at Hanger Law.
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26 Aug, 2020 by Gary
Sean did an excellent job explaining everything to my wife and me.
He did not rush us but went over everything in detail. Sean always answered my emails in a timely manner.
Would highly recommend Sean!
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25 Aug, 2020 by Wanda
Sean Reilly offered the most comprehensive explanation and guided us through each step. He responded immediately to our phone calls and email questions. He removed all the difficult and detailed tasks of estate planning and prepared a plan perfect for our needs. Thank you!
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14 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
Sean is a precise and prepared professional. He reviewed my operating agreement, provide He answered all of my questions in a clear manner, provided advice about potential pitfalls and found solutions unique to my legal needs. I would highly recommend and trust Sean with any legal matter!!
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13 Apr, 2023 by Liz
Heath and his staff helped me obtain a loan modification. They made the very stressful situation easier by being helpful and available whenever needed. They took the time to be sure I understood everything that was happening and that I needed to do to get the modification done. They went above and beyond!
I highly recommend Heath and his team.
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30 Nov, 2021 by Ron
Attorney Thompson , and team was professional and courteous keeping us informed during each step of loan modification for our home saving us from foreclosure. His firm Knows how to deliver successful results. Thank You !!!!
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30 Jul, 2019 by Greg
We called Heath Thompson to save our house. We meet Mr. Thompson he told use he could help us and he did. Heath saved our house. Thank you so much. We are grateful.
Greg R
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08 Jul, 2020 by Nate
We used Hanger Law for our closing and couldn't have been happier with the experience. Our lender messed up some key name spellings on the closing documents and they were very quick to resolve the issue with almost no time lost. Great law firm with very friendly employees. I would highly recommend them for anyone who likes prompt and professional service.
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08 Jul, 2020 by Aurinel canelon
I'm so glad to have Mark during this process. This was my first purchase on real estate and his guidance made all this to go as smooth as possible. Thank you Mark and the firm for all this work!
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02 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
Mark did a great job talking through the entire process with us. We loved working with him and his team. They did a great job. We look forward to working with them on our next home.
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21 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
Helped us get rid of a tenant from hell. He helped navigate things in this covid era of constantly changing laws and rules.
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21 Nov, 2020 by Kathy
I was charged with a show cause for breaking a peace bond. I honestly had no idea what I had done to break the complainant's peace since I purposely had nothing to do with her and I had moved over 100 days after she made the complaint. Jason took my case and worked diligently to discover the reason. He found that the reason was unjustified. In court, Jason discredited the complainant and found that everything she said was untrue and the case was dismissed. Jason was very understanding of my mental state as I dealt with this trying time. He was compassionate and he and his team reassured me often that I had nothing to worry about. He definitely proved in court that justice and honesty always wins. I highly recommend Jason Miyares for any legal advise or representation you need.
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16 Aug, 2020 by Marsh
I hired Attorney Jason Miyares to advise me on a Real Estate matter and his clarity on my choices was very helpful. His 14 years of experience include doing litigation so he provided me knowledge to get the results I need with a real estate boundary issue. The Hanger Law team was very efficient and I will use Attorney Jason Miyares again if the need arises. My highest recommendation to Attorney Miyares and his team at Hanger Law.
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02 May, 2024 by Carrie
Ian is very kind and thorough with explaining the closing process of my mom’s house. She’s 70. He went thru all the paperwork and explained everything. The staff are very kind and supportive. Definitely recommend Caplan law group and Ian.
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10 Apr, 2024 by Bonnie
My mom sold her house using a broker. The couple buying house hired Caplan Group. Ian explained everything thoroughly, was very patient as my mom signs slow (she's 89). Everyone we interacted with in practice was friendly & professional. We highly recommend Caplan Group.
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07 Mar, 2024 by Sharon
Ian was very helpful, professional & patient with us during the closing on our house.
The day after our settlement we had another question to ask Ian and he went out of his way to return our phone call and answer our question. I highly recommend Ian Cummings.
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28 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
Hunter and his team made my refinance effortless! My lender had me bringing a couple hundred dollars to closing. Thanks to Hunter and his amazing, thorough staff, for getting an accurate payoff and corrected taxes, I was refunded money at closing. , Not only was ever detail executed seamlessly, I saved more money than I expected. Thank you Hunter and your friendly, amazing staff.
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09 Aug, 2019 by Doug
Hunter Hanger and his associates streamlined our original mortgage AND our refinance! The work they did was professional, quick, and thorough. No details were left unfinished, and the ability to handle things through Docusign respected everybody's schedules and executed the process seamlessly. We really appreciate all of his work, as well as his awesome staff.
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04 Jul, 2019 by Billie jo
I hired Hanger Law to close our my 1st house. Hunter was funny, nice and very helpful! I will definitely choose him again! His office staff was amazing too! Especially Jeannette!
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06 Mar, 2023 by Tiffany
We had a great experience with Mr Kaptan, very personable, professional and proficient, will be using them again in the future
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06 Mar, 2023 by Tiffany
We had a great experience with Mr Kaptan, very personable, professional and proficient, will be using them again in the future
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01 Mar, 2022 by Ben & sonya parker
We came into an unfortunate situation with our tenants that John helped us to quickly resolve. He was very knowledgeable about the matter at hand and took all the necessary steps to ensure we were happy with the final outcome. He answered our questions quickly and kept us up to speed throughout process. Thanks for all your help, John!
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15 Sep, 2021 by Mike
Jeff performed his representation of me in a highly professional manner. He was always responsive to all parities involved and went out of his way to get me a good result in as short a time as possible. He always took the time to explain all the options with solid recommendations to proceed. He was extremely thorough in his research and often would obtain opinions of other experts just to explore any and all possible solutions. I will absolutely utilize his service should the need arise in the future.
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14 Oct, 2020 by John
I started off with another attorney who thought I should just pay what the other party was ordering me to pay. Then I got a referral from a good friend of mine, so I called Jeff Howell. Jeff rolled his sleeves and jumped right in. Less than a week later he had negotiated a settlement agreement for less than half of what the other party wanted. As soon as that was settled I signed him up as my registered agent and look forward to using him for all of my legal needs. If you’re looking for a young and aggressive legal team to represent your business, I highly recommend these guys.
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16 Jan, 2020 by Kathleen
I retained Jeff last year (2019). I have had the opportunity to work with many attorneys in my life for many reasons Never I once have I felt that an office would put in a drop of thought to my case without overcharging. Jeff and his office (Kelli!) are different than other legal offices—they work tirelessly and really care about their clients. I feel 100% confident in stating that this office is not just in it for the money and they genuinely want to provide quality representation.
When the defending party in my case became threatening, Jeff did not hesitate to firmly put them in their place.
I wouldn’t hesitate to hire Jeff again. If you are looking for great representation from an attorney that is also a trustworthy and good individual, look no further—Jeff is your guy! There really aren’t enough words to express how much I recommend this firm.
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30 Nov, 2020 by Daniel
Barry was referred to us by our Accountant, in case we needed any legal representation for our Auto Repair Business. We ended up with a case that required his expert legal services. After what turned into 2+ (extremely taxing) years of an ordeal, Barry's diligence, legal expertise and vehicle knowledge ended it with an Honest win in our favor!
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27 Nov, 2019 by Dan
He corrected wrong information on closing statement and saved me BIG money!!
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29 Jul, 2019 by Brian
For the last few years myself and my company staff have learned to tremendously trust in the advice of Barry Doran’s. He is an outstanding and honest attorney who can walk a company through so many various threats and challenges. Cannot say enough good things.
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08 Jul, 2020 by Robert
Vivyane kima is a very smart lawyer who helped me with a case I won.she did a lot of research on the case Which brought victory to me.
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08 Jul, 2020 by Karina
Miss Kima helped us with my immigration paperwork and everything went smoothly. We only had to meet in person twice and exchanged a few emails. At the first meeting Miss Kima walked us through what documents we were going to need and what to expect. At the second meeting we handed over all the required documentation for her to review and file whatever U.S.C.I.S needed and she handled the rest. We were very satisfied with her services. Thank you Miss Kima!!!
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17 Mar, 2016 by Natisha
My husband and I hired attorney Kima to handle our case and have been very satisfied with her services. She is an excellent attorney with more than 20 years experience. Immigration law is her passion and she is very good at it. She has been very kind to us and is very affordable. We made a great choice.
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21 Jul, 2021 by Jennifer
Mr. Wolcott successfully negotiated a lease termination I was a party to. He handled this case with professionalism and was diligent in resolving the case. More importantly, Mr. Gordon's discerning knowledge of real estate law was a catalyst toward achieving the desired case outcome.
I highly recommend Mr. Wolcott. His attention to detail, erudite knowledge of the law, and first class client service make him a trustworthy choice for legal representation.
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28 Apr, 2020 by Raechel
Mr. Wolcott and the Wolcott team were amazing at handling my car accident case. They helped me receive a fair claim and I couldn’t have asked for a better team on my side. They supported me through out the entire process and were always available to take my questions. They put 100% of effort in helping me close my case! Mr. Wolcott and his team are wonderful and I can’t thank them enough. This was my first accident I was involved in (not at fault) and Mr. Wolcott eased the process tremendously. He took away a lot of stress of trying to handle a claim with insurances alone and I cannot be more grateful for his assistance. I recommend Mr. Wolcott and the entire firm to everyone. You won’t regret hiring this team!
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23 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
After reaching an impasse with our business partners earlier this year, Attorney Wolcott was hired to represent our interest in a buy-out/separation agreement. After listening to the details surrounding our case, he provided initial insight into how best to proceed, then set realistic expectations for what to expect throughout the process. Attorney Wolcott went above and beyond to remain reachable throughout the process, provided quick follow ups for emails/phone calls, and delivered all necessary materials in a timely manner. We highly recommend Attorney Wolcott and the entire Wolcott/Rivers/Gates Law Firm to anyone in need of representation!
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29 Jun, 2021 by Len
Brandan helped quickly resolve a landlord/tenant dispute. Professional and thorough.
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29 Apr, 2021 by Enit
Brandan represented us successfully in a very difficult case in front of the VB City Council. At every step of the process he was professional, punctual and very mature. We believe his work was indeed instrumental in our case being successful. We strongly recommend him for litigation and representation in front of similar forums.
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05 Nov, 2019 by Aaron
Mr. Napier has flawlessly facilitated countless real estate closing for me and my employees as a sales manager for a local mortgage company. Additionally, John has negotiated and closed commercial real estate purchases, assisted in reviewing and drafting private money arrangements to which he’s been my Trustee, acted as my escrow agent and facilitated draw management to real estate investors borrowing private money, established LLCs with the Virginia SCC and written operating agreements, negotiated and executed leases for me as a landlord, represented and resolved claims alleged, and represented me on countless residential sales and purchases. In all aspects, John has been a trusted partner to my real estate business every step of the way.
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04 Nov, 2019 by Phil
John was the calm in the storm of our last real estate closing. Things always have a way of going off the rails in this business, but John was able to solve the complex issues that tripped us up and we were able to close as scheduled. Having John on our team was invaluable!
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26 May, 2015 by Jen
Deborah handled my divorce and she was extremely knowledgeable of Virginia law and kept me informed of what to expect every step of the way. In a world where people seem to forget how personal and important legal matters are to the individuals affected, Deborah treated my case as though it was just as important to her as it is to me. She never lost sight that this was a major event in my life and the importance of her role as my attorney. She is the perfect balance of compassion, intelligence, and no nonsense. I would recommend her to anyone looking to have someone who went into this business because they care about the people they represent.
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30 Apr, 2015 by Bob
Ms. Walker is upcoming chair of the Virginia State Bar's Real Estate Law Section, which indicates the high esteem with which she is held by lawyers in Virginia. She is rated among the top professionals in her field and known for the detail and concern she devotes to every real estate closing. Whether a large commercial transaction or a very basic home closing, she gives her undivided attention to the client's best interests.
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08 Mar, 2017 by Kelly
Both my husband and myself have used Mr. Whittemore's services over the years. I cannot say enough about how pleased we were with the results! The thing that I valued most was Mr. Whittemore's sense of compassion and his genuine concern for us. He was always there for us during a very emotional and stressful time and always promptly responded to calls and emails. He never seemed bothered by my incessant questions or my emotional responses to things that were going on. In fact, he helped me to remain calm and take things step by step. He was always very frank and open with us and I always felt like I could count on him. I would never use anyone else!
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22 May, 2016 by Jeremiah
Mr. Lake provided excellent service. He was very responsive to my concerns/questions and was quick to adapt them in the development of my lease. I would definitely use him again.
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07 Feb, 2023 by Francis shields
Jim is extremely knowledgeable, and if you have concerns about your VA waterfront property, I'd recommend you give him a call.
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23 Aug, 2022 by Masonry design
I am a business owner who uses attorneys from time to time. Jim Lang is the best. He helped me fix a big problem
I had at the VMRC on a matter of great importance to me. This was not a simple case so it turned into a 4 year journey. Over that entire time Jim was always smart, tenacious, experienced, a great listener, and (most importantly) caring. A lot of road blocks popped up over the life of my case. Jim figured out a way over, around or through each one. Jim's deep contacts at the agency, and the credibility he has built up over his many years representing clients before the VMRC, turned out to be a resource that was very helpful in getting my case resolved in highly favorable terms. Another thing that I liked about Jim is that he kept me informed all along the way. I always knew exactly what was going on with my case. This attorney is a quality human being who is very good at what he does. Highly recommended!
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19 Jan, 2022 by Jeff johnson
Jim was extremely helpful in answering all my questions. He is extremely professional and always responded in providing service in a timely fashion. I would definitely use Jim again if I needed assistance involving any environmental issues at hand.
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07 Feb, 2023 by Francis shields
Jim is extremely knowledgeable, and if you have concerns about your VA waterfront property, I'd recommend you give him a call.
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23 Aug, 2022 by Masonry design
I am a business owner who uses attorneys from time to time. Jim Lang is the best. He helped me fix a big problem
I had at the VMRC on a matter of great importance to me. This was not a simple case so it turned into a 4 year journey. Over that entire time Jim was always smart, tenacious, experienced, a great listener, and (most importantly) caring. A lot of road blocks popped up over the life of my case. Jim figured out a way over, around or through each one. Jim's deep contacts at the agency, and the credibility he has built up over his many years representing clients before the VMRC, turned out to be a resource that was very helpful in getting my case resolved in highly favorable terms. Another thing that I liked about Jim is that he kept me informed all along the way. I always knew exactly what was going on with my case. This attorney is a quality human being who is very good at what he does. Highly recommended!
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19 Jan, 2022 by Jeff johnson
Jim was extremely helpful in answering all my questions. He is extremely professional and always responded in providing service in a timely fashion. I would definitely use Jim again if I needed assistance involving any environmental issues at hand.
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23 Jan, 2025 by Brian shapley
Great process. Very smooth and organized home purchase.
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14 Jan, 2025 by Crome dome
A highly efficient and hard working team. Highly recommend. Melanie was fantastic and was always a step ahead.
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08 Jan, 2025 by Michelle bastian
I hired Thompson Law Group to evict a person from my home that wouldn't leave. The law firm helped me step by step through the whole process and kept me updated on how my case was going and court date. The person after being served with court papers left before court date. I had money left in a trust fund to them and was contacted about refunding what money wasn't used.
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03 Dec, 2024 by Chan s
Awesome Team!!Mr Jerell is Amazing i Highly recommend his law firm
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03 Dec, 2024 by Ceci pancho
My husband and I were very impressed and pleased with attorney Johnson services and the good results. I 100% recommend his services not only very knowledgeable but very professional đź‘Ź đź‘Ś
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19 Oct, 2024 by Coffeecuppie
Had a child custody case and he was very helpful and helped our case to go smoothly! Would recommend him! He has a great flat rate and is very dependable! So happy to be with my daughter!
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16 Oct, 2024 by Chamroeun ciballos
I gave them 1 star because I called to get my remaining balance to pay off. Their accounting person was awful and rude. She did not know what the fees are being charged for nor the remaining balance that I would had to speak to the lawyer handling the case to get the final balance. That was fine but why be nasty and rude if clients are asking. They really need to train their front office or accounting staff better customer service or how to properly talk to clients better. My husband called a second time and asked to speak to a specific paralegal or lawyer involved in the case to get the final balance and they mistakenly transferred him to this accounting person they had again. She was soo rude and spoke to us both slowly like you are talking to a 1st grader like we did not speak any English. I do not know if it’s because of our last name but we both were born in the states so there was no need to belittle people that are trying to pay off their remaining balance. Makes me think she speaks to all foreigners this way and everybody should be spoken with respect regardless what race, former or current client. We will not be using them ever again for any services knowing they have rude and nasty accounting or front office staff that are not properly trained. I will also be telling others I know about this awful experience.
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13 Sep, 2024 by Charles territo
I have been using Poole Brooke plumlee for couple yrs now and I am very happy with there services especially Todd Roethlisberger he's the best and great to work with.
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01 Sep, 2024 by Siddharth bajpai
It was a fantastic experience working with Poole Brooke Plumlee. I was referred to them and after an initial conversation, was connected with Mr. David Oakley. We required urgent support on a short notice, and David exceeded our expectations in every way. He grasped our needs, thoroughly reviewed the materials we provided, kept us informed at every stage, and represented us exceptionally well. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
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12 Dec, 2024 by Darren
Mrs. Wood Hanna guided me through a recent family law issue.
Her advice was direct and to the point. She provided plenty of context to help me set expectations and weigh my options. For my relatively minor issue, her pricing was reasonable and straightforward.
I highly recommend her for your family law legal needs.
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27 Nov, 2024 by Kendria marshall
Liz was incredibly helpful and just wonderful to work with. I am so thankful for her and her team.
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20 Nov, 2024 by Luis cortes
Great attorney.
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16 Oct, 2024 by Chamroeun ciballos
I gave them 1 star because I called to get my remaining balance to pay off. Their accounting person was awful and rude. She did not know what the fees are being charged for nor the remaining balance that I would had to speak to the lawyer handling the case to get the final balance. That was fine but why be nasty and rude if clients are asking. They really need to train their front office or accounting staff better customer service or how to properly talk to clients better. My husband called a second time and asked to speak to a specific paralegal or lawyer involved in the case to get the final balance and they mistakenly transferred him to this accounting person they had again. She was soo rude and spoke to us both slowly like you are talking to a 1st grader like we did not speak any English. I do not know if it’s because of our last name but we both were born in the states so there was no need to belittle people that are trying to pay off their remaining balance. Makes me think she speaks to all foreigners this way and everybody should be spoken with respect regardless what race, former or current client. We will not be using them ever again for any services knowing they have rude and nasty accounting or front office staff that are not properly trained. I will also be telling others I know about this awful experience.
Read more
13 Sep, 2024 by Charles territo
I have been using Poole Brooke plumlee for couple yrs now and I am very happy with there services especially Todd Roethlisberger he's the best and great to work with.
Read more
01 Sep, 2024 by Siddharth bajpai
It was a fantastic experience working with Poole Brooke Plumlee. I was referred to them and after an initial conversation, was connected with Mr. David Oakley. We required urgent support on a short notice, and David exceeded our expectations in every way. He grasped our needs, thoroughly reviewed the materials we provided, kept us informed at every stage, and represented us exceptionally well. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
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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.
