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10 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Larry is a straight forward attorney providing no-BS assessments and recommendations. He represented me on a DUI, clearly explained my situation, and worked diligently and successfully to have the charges dropped. I recommend him to friends and family as the need arises.
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01 Jul, 2014 by William
In direct apposition to the previous review, I would like to offer my opinion of Mr Johnson. I am a 'card carrying' member of the VFW and do as much of business with veterans as possible, in the hopes of meeting a man like Larry Johnson. If you are looking for no nonsense, no bullshit, straight to the point legal advice, there is no better place to go than Larry Johnson. If you are looking for a shoulder to cry on or someone to change your diaper, you will be as unhappy as the previous poster, be warned.
I am especially heartened by his frequent admonitions to 'Get to the point', when I wander from my $300/hr purpose, a habit of his that saves me money. He provides his advice to the best of his ability, rather than supporting whatever legal fantasies you may have in your head, a hard pill to swallow, but much cheaper in the long run.
As someone who has worked in the legal field with a few relatives who currently practice law, I would have no problem recommending Mr Johnson for any issue he feels he can competently handle, given the above caveats regarding his taciturn nature and mission oriented approach. I find him to be really funny, but you have to speak 'military' to get most of the jokes, lol.
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03 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Would not recommend this attorney for anything. A most disagreeable man. Thinks he is "god" because he is an attorney...everyone else is mere mortal...and he won't mind telling you so. He is exceptionally difficult to get along with and I would never ever take an elder to him for his services.
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01 Apr, 2024 by Ashwini kulkarni
I recently worked with Helen's team for my H1B application and it was a smooth process. I was kept well informed on each step which in my opinion is extremely helpful given the process. Look forward to working with Helen's team for further steps.
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17 Jan, 2024 by Armin ahmadi
I had a fantastic experience with Crystal Malik. Despite not being under contract with us, she was incredibly helpful. Crystal responded to every email and query with patience, providing detailed and informative answers. Her assistance was greatly appreciated!
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30 Jun, 2023 by Travis medley
Excellent experience with Helen. I found her to be professional, efficient and responsive. She helped resolved our issue and provided guidance. Highly recommend!
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01 Apr, 2024 by Ashwini kulkarni
I recently worked with Helen's team for my H1B application and it was a smooth process. I was kept well informed on each step which in my opinion is extremely helpful given the process. Look forward to working with Helen's team for further steps.
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17 Jan, 2024 by Armin ahmadi
I had a fantastic experience with Crystal Malik. Despite not being under contract with us, she was incredibly helpful. Crystal responded to every email and query with patience, providing detailed and informative answers. Her assistance was greatly appreciated!
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30 Jun, 2023 by Travis medley
Excellent experience with Helen. I found her to be professional, efficient and responsive. She helped resolved our issue and provided guidance. Highly recommend!
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22 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
My landlord was trying to impose rather harsh lease termination conditions on me during the Covid crisis, when I needed to leave the area, had no intention to extend my contract and was trying to find ways out of a complicated and stressful situation. Mr. Patish was very knowledgable about the requirements of the law, and presented the legal side of the issue in great detail, pointing to the appropriate sources and links. He walked me through this difficult situation with advice that was really instrumental for finding a solution acceptable to the landlord. He did this with minimal resources that I was able to allocate for legal advice, including providing complementary feedback, following up with the issue, and making sure that I was on the right track. He has really broken my stereotypes about lawyers with his human and fair-minded approach!
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13 Jul, 2016 by Tim
Mr. Patish agreed to represent me in a landlord - tenant dispute. I was seeking damages for a failure to maintain a habitable premises. The facts and evidence were all in my favor and Mr. Patish agreed to represent me at a reasonable price.
The property owner had been cited by city inspectors more than once and failed to fully comply with the citations in a timely manner. Within the first few minutes of the trial, the defendants counsel stated that if judgement was in my favor, they would appeal the case. The judge wished me good luck and said he had no choice but to send the matter to a higher court.
Immediatley after the trial, Mr. Patish, my wife and I went to lunch, (on us of course) during which he explained that it would cost a minimum of $5,000. more for him to represent me in the next phase. His advice was to go to court without him. Seriously! He calmly explained that the judge would listen to the facts, that I did not need a lawyer since I was so familiar with the case, had audio recordings, video, photographs and violation notices that had been served on the property owner.
Nothing went according to Mr. Patish's advice. The judge informed me that he had read the lease and asked me to present my case. The star whitness was one of the three city inspectors that had visited the property on numerous occasions and filed the code violations. This inspector testified that he could not remember the facts, didn't bring his paperwork to court and had lost the video evidence I had given to him.
The judge, contrary to what Mr. Patish had advised me, would not let me offer any testimony. He would not listen to the audio recordings nor view the videos. There was no choice except to stop presenting evidence. At this point the defendant's attorney made a statement that there was no lease entered into evidence, (despite the judge having stated that he had the lease in his hands and had read it) therefore there was no obligation for the property owner to present his case.
He asked for dismissal and that's exactly what happened. I couldn't even get my security deposit refunded even though the property was flawlessly spotless, freshly painted and in much better condition than when I took possession. This added insult to injury, costing me another $1,450.00!
All of this is relevant to my review of this lawyer because he told me what I should do. He insisted that the judge would listen to the evidence. He accepted my money for the first trial, then abandoned the case. He left us with nothing but very bad worthless "advice". This was how two years of stress ended.
Here is my advice for anyone looking for a lawyer in the Norfolk or Virginia Beach area. Pay whatever it costs to hire an attorney that won't abandon you while telling you that you can represent yourself. That is pure rubbish. The lesson I learned? Looking for a reasonably priced lawyer is comparable to shopping for a discount brain surgeon.
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18 Aug, 2024 by Brittany h
17 Aug, 2024 by Quayla bishop
They definitely show a clear sense of favoritism and underpay you. They had no clear reason to fire me less than a month being there and barely even trained me but expected me to learn everything. They have no clear structure or proper management there. Definitely do not recommend them
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13 Aug, 2024 by Robin wright
Hampton Roads… this is long overdue and I do apologize, but I do want to say back in 2008, my husband and I, we were in a terrible car accident, on Highway 58 in Virginia, my husband was driving a red car came out in front of us and hasn’t swerve from hitting the right vehicle. The vehicle never stopped and attract. The trailer had hit us a long story short my husband was in a coma. He was air VAC to Sentera hospital and off, and I was also hospitalized for three days. I have no idea how we would’ve gotten out of the situation without the help of George Albiston, Brannon& Gilbert and team! This organization really truly got us back on track help my husband through this ordeal, it also helped me to get my life back on track. Mr.Albiston and his team was a godsend! They help me regain to get my life back. I had to trust him. I had to have confidence in myself. And I also had to realize that this man knew what he was talking about. I realize also picking this team was the best decision for my husband, and myself, Mr. Albiston and, his team, was very precise and very knowledgeable, he won our case in court! We were very blessed that he was our attorney and he helped us win our case, Sandra, was very polite, very helpful and very knowledgeable, whenever you are in need for an an attorney or a lawyer, please do not hesitate to call his office, The team is very family oriented! And the true compassion is really there within the firm! We will not hesitate to call if wherever ever in need again, thank you for listening and thank you for reading our review. This is coming from the heart, very professional team, this is the team that you really want to pick if you want to win! Robin and Willie Wright, Newport news Virginia
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07 Jan, 2024 by Nathan philype
10 Oct, 2023 by Summer layton
This firm is filled with knowledgeable and attentive attorneys. I highly recommend.
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12 Jun, 2022 by Marvin greene
Highly unprofessional in all seriousness…
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07 Jan, 2024 by Nathan philype
10 Oct, 2023 by Summer layton
This firm is filled with knowledgeable and attentive attorneys. I highly recommend.
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12 Jun, 2022 by Marvin greene
Highly unprofessional in all seriousness…
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07 Jan, 2024 by Nathan philype
10 Oct, 2023 by Summer layton
This firm is filled with knowledgeable and attentive attorneys. I highly recommend.
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12 Jun, 2022 by Marvin greene
Highly unprofessional in all seriousness…
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30 May, 2024 by Jermaine schimmel
Thanks to Banks & Associates, I achieved a successful outcome in my legal matter. Their strategic approach and dedication to my case were evident throughout the process. I am grateful for their hard work and expertise.
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17 May, 2024 by Bert holt
Great firm!!! Smart attorneys!!!
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20 Mar, 2024 by Anna s.
29 Nov, 2023 by Loren farrar
20 Sep, 2023 by Narmandakh tsagaantsooj
Mr Woo is the Best
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22 Aug, 2023 by Enkhchimeg nagmid
I really appreciate Mr.Woo. He is the best lawyer I ever met.
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29 Nov, 2023 by Loren farrar
20 Sep, 2023 by Narmandakh tsagaantsooj
Mr Woo is the Best
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22 Aug, 2023 by Enkhchimeg nagmid
I really appreciate Mr.Woo. He is the best lawyer I ever met.
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08 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
They set you up with kindness and leave uou dry his assistance Julia need too be working for Wendy's or Mc Donald's the worst lie about everything and they are very rude when they are wrong never again absolutely the worst
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23 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
You can be a good Christian but awful at your job. He completely gave us terrible advise and was awful in court, awful is being nice. He mumbled the Judge had to tell him to speak up. He called my daughter by the wrong name, he had no clue what he was doing, the other attny chewed him up and spit him out. Afterwards he said that went well and I had to remind him we lost. We had to hire another attny to try to undo what he did. Again you can be a good Christian but terrible at your job. I regret the day we hired him.
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05 Feb, 2021 by Dale
Chester Banks will only help you if you are a close friend. He did not handle my criminal case at all and I received 8 months in jail for a petty offense. When I tried to call him, he would never return my calls from the jail. He did not want to consult with me about my case until the day of my hearing. He kept the door open while folks listened to our quick talk. Any positive reviews shown here are probably false reviews, left by friends and family. He also cheats on his taxes. He is not a good man.
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15 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Had a consultation. They suggested I do some leg work before moving forward, which I did. Then I tried to set up a meeting to continue the process. After being ghosted for two weeks, one of the "Partners" took the phone call and stated they were refusing to represent me with a very rude and condescending attitude.
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23 Aug, 2022 by Tariq
HORRIBLE LAWYER ! If you like hiring a Lawyer that looks and acts expensive Jason pelt is your guy, "this is easy" was his words, but lost the case and all he had to say was "its a tough day at the court" and walked away, costing us 70k + in expense. Absolutely HORRIBLE LAWYER, & his charges are the worsts. Doesn’t care about his clients, no preparation whatsoever, the money you have for him is the only thing that really matters, you will LOSE with Norton Pelt, PLC
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10 Jan, 2022 by Heather
Attorney Pelt failed to represent me for my case...in fact it seemed as if he was representing the other party...did absolutely nothing he promised...and now it's been almost 2 months and I'm still waiting for my settlement check...I would not recommend him to anyone hiring him was a complete loss and waste of time
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08 Jul, 2024 by Debbie holroyd
I have had great experiences dealing with the attorneys in this firm. Very responsive and professional.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Youssef el asri
08 Jul, 2024 by George smith
They charge you 1 hours worth when you speak for only 15 mins. This company is not good
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08 Jul, 2024 by Youssef el asri
08 Jul, 2024 by George smith
They charge you 1 hours worth when you speak for only 15 mins. This company is not good
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08 Jul, 2024 by James smith
Had a complaint on an attorney here that messed up a trust and the receptionist told me I needed to speak with the firm's administrator, Lori Holland. I called and left Lori six voice different voice mail messages within a span of two weeks and she refused to return my calls. Terrible customer service for an administrator to refuse to speak with one of their firm's clients that has a complaint.....that is her job.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Debbie holroyd
I have had great experiences dealing with the attorneys in this firm. Very responsive and professional.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Youssef el asri
08 Jul, 2024 by George smith
They charge you 1 hours worth when you speak for only 15 mins. This company is not good
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08 Jul, 2024 by Youssef el asri
08 Jul, 2024 by George smith
They charge you 1 hours worth when you speak for only 15 mins. This company is not good
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08 Jul, 2024 by James smith
Had a complaint on an attorney here that messed up a trust and the receptionist told me I needed to speak with the firm's administrator, Lori Holland. I called and left Lori six voice different voice mail messages within a span of two weeks and she refused to return my calls. Terrible customer service for an administrator to refuse to speak with one of their firm's clients that has a complaint.....that is her job.
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07 Aug, 2020 by Debbie holroyd
I have had great experiences dealing with the attorneys in this firm. Very responsive and professional.
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04 Jun, 2020 by George smith
They charge you 1 hours worth when you speak for only 15 mins. This company is not good
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25 Jan, 2020 by Youssef el asri
12 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
My family member hired him, he did nothing for them, nor even tried to speak up for them. I’m totally disgusted, waste of money.
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24 Aug, 2016 by James little
I am an out of state attorney who faced a traffic matter in Danville. Mr. Gammon handled my case with precision and competency and I was more than happy with the swift results. He and his firm kept me informed along the way as my case was treated with significance. I would retain Mr. Gammon again, without hesitancy.
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10 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
Mrs. Jennings could not have been more helpful. She listened carefully during our first meeting, was caring but frank in explaining possible legal courses, helped me understand everything that was going on and was available when I needed her. I was very satisfied with how the case settled. The charges for services were reasonable and what I was told to expect. Highly recommended.
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18 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
If you have a lot of money to throw away she is your lawyer. If you need someone to fight for you and be above board with you on spending and billing. She is awful . I had to change lawyers because over 8 months the only thing she did to help me was. Spousal support and not much of that.ni would not recommend her to anyone. She has her own agenda and is very disrespectful to her client. Do not make this mistake please
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23 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
The review by Christine is the same as the one on yelp. I suspect its a fake. This lawyer screwed up badly, lost me lots of money, charged me lots of money for doing so, taking years for a simple case, and wrote the order so badly that the judge subsequently threw it out.
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28 Aug, 2021 by Christina
I could not have asked for a more supportive, thorough, and professional experience during a very difficult custody trial. This was one of the longest custody trials that our judge has ever seen. Throughout my experience, from the initial phone call to the final day of court, I felt well taken care of and I was confident the best interest of my child was always at the forefront of the case. Mr. Jeffries was straightforward throughout the entire process, steadfast, and provided me with the confidence I needed to make it through this trial. Michelle, his assistant, always greeted me in a warm and friendly manner and was a pleasure to work with as well.
Mr. Jeffries is not your average attorney. He is constantly committing his time to researching the most up-to-date legal practices, laws, and relevant information available to provide you with a reliable and competitive advantage in the courtroom. He pays incredible attention to detail and was always prompt to respond when I needed to speak with him. I didn’t think I would find an attorney who would care about my case as much as me, but I feel Mr. Jeffries was just as committed and passionate about my case.
It is incredibly rare to find an attorney with the experience, knowledge, professionalism, commitment, passion, and care he offers.
If you’re looking for an attorney, Mr. Jeffries is a wise investment. I highly recommend him!
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30 Aug, 2023 by Jessica
Best attorney I’ve met. Compassionate, moral, down to earth and knowledgeable, all around nice guy. I highly recommend, he did my estate planning and it was done to my request. The piece of mind that everything is taken care of exactly the way I want it to be is priceless ❤️
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19 May, 2011 by Anonymous
My family and I have had to deal with John P. Hance regarding our mother's estate and real estate closing since January 2011. Unfortunately, he has made a difficult situation for us a horrible experience. He has been unprofessional, unresponsive, and condescending the entire time! I would not recommend him to anyone needing a real estate closing attorney/settlement agent!
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27 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
We hired John and he did a amazing job. He always answers our calls and met with us multiple times for a very reasonable price. We will definitely be using John in the future!
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29 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
We hired Mr. Prillaman to help us with consumer issues. He sent us a sumons in the mail so I called left message on voice mail as to why are we going to court in Roanoke City and no reply. So we pay all day parking downtown Roanoke and we did not have to be there... No communication what so ever. So in court he assures us we will see him before he leaves for vacation July4. Guess what.... No response. Hello????
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21 Mar, 2022 by Angel
Mr. Elfenbein has been representing me in domestic cases involving marital property and child custody/child support. Mr. Elfenbein has shared his expert knowledge to help me understand my rights, the applicable laws related to my cases, and how the courts view/rule on cases similar to mine. He has advised me on strategy and timing. I have come out of court each time successful, achieving exactly what I wanted. Mr. Elfenbein has been timely in filing oppositions and motions on my behalf. He has consistently been available to answer my calls and questions. Very attentive to communications from the court sent via email and mail. I am appreciative for having teamed up with Mr. Elfenbein and highly recommend him as legal counsel.
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09 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
THE VERY FIRST CALL TO THIS GUY, JUST FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN INITIAL CONSULTATION, WAS SO RUSHED, HE BOMBARDED ME WITH QUESTIONS BUT COULDN'T ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS TO HIM SAYING "WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE LEASE".
I WANTED A CALM, CIVIL MEETING AND THE FIRST IMPRESSION OF THIS GUY WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE.
THERE IS NO FREE CONSULTATION, AFTER HE BOMBARDS ME WITH QUESTIONS AND CANNOT ANSWER MINE, HE JUST SAYS "HOW ABOUT $100?"
THEN WHEN I QUOTED FREE CONSULTATION AND APPOINTMENT, HE HURRIEDLY TALKS OVER ME, MAKES UP SOME EXCUSE AND SAYS "THANK YOU VERY MUCH" AND HANGS UP WITHOUT ALLOWING ME TO SAY ANYTHING.
ABSOLUTELY UNPROFESSIONAL AND NOT HELPFUL TO THE CLIENT AT ALL WHATSOEVER. I DO NOT RECOMMEND HIM IN THE LEAST BIT. BETTER OFF ASKING A STRANGER IN THE STREET, LIKELY THEY WOULD BE MORE POLITE AND COUTH.
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25 Apr, 2021 by Simon
Ms. Baumgartner is amongst those attorneys that reads and writes plenty, but expends little effort, in my experience, to understand her client. My firm hired her to write a contract to purchase a franchisee and then subsequently to represent us in a dispute with a franchisor, but she was clearly ill-equipped to negotiate with another attorney. We ended up firing her because after four years of ownership of a franchise she had represented only her own billable hours. At hundreds of dollars for a single one of those hours you might reasonably expect an attorney to be able to negotiate verbally as well as in writing, but that is regrettably not the case with Ms. Baumgartner. She's average (and not poor) only because she can draft contracts, but even then be aware of - and wary of - her expensive verbosity.
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15 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
We engaged James Jordan's team to help update our wills. It appears that this law firm specializes in document preparation (wills, trusts, real estate, etc.). The attorney himself seemed knowledgeable and explained things appropriately. They did what we needed done. I hesitate to recommend as i did not find his staff very customer friendly. It was difficult to schedule follow up meetings. This could not be done for 2 or more weeks and must be done with phone call as they do not allow scheduling via email.
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29 Apr, 2024 by Ben jarratt
I want to commend Whiteford, Taylor & Preston for being a full-service firm that could handle all of my business needs. While I first worked with an attorney in their Falls Church, VA office, I found I needed additional legal services and also worked with attorneys in WTP's Baltimore & Richmond offices. The scope of work covered a large tenant bankruptcy, property management, related court filings, and also new tenant lease negotiations. In all cases, I found their attorneys to be responsible and attentive to my multiple and diverse business needs. Thank you.
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24 Apr, 2024 by Dana mirch
Having managed over 250 community associations in Northern Virginia, I have had the opportunity to work with Whiteford on a number of occasions with various clients for 12 years. Their staff is courteous, knowledge and professional and their attorneys can be counted on both day and night to help with emergent situations and problem solving. The high level of communication, attention to detail and honestly provided throughout the organization is a differentiator.
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09 Apr, 2024 by Christopher jones
08 Jul, 2023 by Jacob kuca
These idiots served me somebody else’s court papers. Wrong name wrong road wrong address wrong everything. How do you mess up this badly? What a joke.
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11 Feb, 2023 by Tess shipe
Mr. Gregorio is a no nonsense lawyer. He will get to the bottom of your case and take care of business!
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05 Feb, 2023 by Tammy cardinal
06 Sep, 2023 by Miracle parish
Terribly rude assistant answered the phone. Would not recommend this company.
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07 Oct, 2022 by John mcbride
A true group of lying criminals. Presented false evidence to the fairfax court was a direct cause of me being beaten half to death. Is why I am homeless and disabled. Also due to this firm I stand a very high risk of losing my leg and possibly my life from being forced to live outside for a year.
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22 Apr, 2022 by Nina snodgrass
06 Sep, 2023 by Miracle parish
Terribly rude assistant answered the phone. Would not recommend this company.
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07 Oct, 2022 by John mcbride
A true group of lying criminals. Presented false evidence to the fairfax court was a direct cause of me being beaten half to death. Is why I am homeless and disabled. Also due to this firm I stand a very high risk of losing my leg and possibly my life from being forced to live outside for a year.
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22 Apr, 2022 by Nina snodgrass
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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:
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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.
