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5.0
363 Reviews
07 Dec, 2024 by Esco c
Amazing attorney do no hesitate to work with.
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22 Nov, 2024 by Jose lopez
If you guys need a bk attorney, this is your guy! Satisfied with their work. Recommend 100%
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20 Nov, 2024 by Tawfik musallam
Excellent experience. Helped me file for bankruptcy. Made the process very easy for me for a very fair price. Highly recommended to my family and friends. Thank you Michael Primus for the amaizing work you do
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07 Dec, 2024 by Esco c
Amazing attorney do no hesitate to work with.
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22 Nov, 2024 by Jose lopez
If you guys need a bk attorney, this is your guy! Satisfied with their work. Recommend 100%
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20 Nov, 2024 by Tawfik musallam
Excellent experience. Helped me file for bankruptcy. Made the process very easy for me for a very fair price. Highly recommended to my family and friends. Thank you Michael Primus for the amaizing work you do
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11 May, 2022 by Kassia mitchell-lucero
From the time we met Maxwell he was was very professional and knowledgeable. He was always responsive and available to calls, questions, etc along the way. His fees were fair and the work he produced with his representation was much appreciated. We definetely recommend his services to anyone. It was a pleasure to work with him.
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29 Apr, 2022 by C b
I was very impressed at the handling of my case with Maxwell Njelita. I had been fighting a case for years with another lawyer who just basically took my money. When I hired Maxwell Njelita to fight my case I won in a matter of months he was very knowledgeable and professional.
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18 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Maxwell was a pleasure to work with. He was both professional and attentive with the needs we had. He always reviewed all necessary information and was very thorough. He would be an asset to anyone in need of his services.
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07 Dec, 2024 by Esco c
Amazing attorney do no hesitate to work with.
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22 Nov, 2024 by Jose lopez
If you guys need a bk attorney, this is your guy! Satisfied with their work. Recommend 100%
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20 Nov, 2024 by Tawfik musallam
Excellent experience. Helped me file for bankruptcy. Made the process very easy for me for a very fair price. Highly recommended to my family and friends. Thank you Michael Primus for the amaizing work you do
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10 Jan, 2025 by Bilal kubulan
İlticaSürecinde bana yardımcı olan Efe bey ve mahkemede yanımda olan Yusuf Bey’e çok teşekkür ediyorum ve Oğuz law Çalışanlarının hepsini ayrı ayrı teşekkür ediyorum size minnettarım
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10 Jan, 2025 by Müge arıker
Başta Müge hanıma ve Oğuz law ekibine teşekkür ederek sözüme başlamak istiyorum. 1.5 yıl önce Amerika’ya geldim şuan green cardım onaylandı. arkadaşım aracılığıyla Oğuz law ile çalışmaya başladım. Buraya ilk geldiğimde herkesin dediği ulaşabileceğin bir avukatı seç. Çünkü Amerika’da avukatlara ulaşmak çok zor dediler. Ve Oğuz law bu konuda beni hiç pişman etmedi. Müge hanım çalışmaya başladığımız andan itibaren ne zaman arasam her zaman ulaşabilir oldu. En stresli anlarımda bir arkadaş gibi yakalaşarak beni hep rahatlattı. Hiç bir zaman ulaşamama problemi yaşamadım. Son olarak Büşra hanıma da teşekkür etmek istiyorum. Son süreçte yollarımız kesişti ve beni çok güzel hazırladı. Şimdi green card prosesleri içinde birlikte çalışacağız ve bunun içinde çok mutluyum. Bu süreçte yanımda olduğunuz için teşekkür ederim.
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10 Jan, 2025 by Perviz efendiyev
Choosing “Oguzlaw” was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. It’s because the most sensitive issue in such matters was choosing the right attorney and I was lucky in this regard. In particular, Ms Gamza really helped me a lot in this work. What I see in her example is that you serve people by working too professionally and smoothly. Therefore I sincerely thank you all.
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17 Dec, 2024 by Andrea gomez
Sam helped me with a civil harassment restraining order case. I called his office early in the morning and his assistant Lauryn took my information and with in minutes, Sam returned my call. Having a direct contact with him made me feel conformable and made the process less stressful. I highly recommend Sam because he is very professional, ethical, trustworthy and knowledgeable. He guided me through the process and answer any questions and concerns I had, explaining everything in a way I could understand. We were able to obtain a positive resolution in the case. If anyone need help with a legal issue Samuel Geller is the attorney to call.
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15 Nov, 2024 by Sofia romero
Great experience with this firm, Green Card approved in less than 12 months.
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13 Nov, 2024 by Jesus rivas
29 Sep, 2024 by Zack nayeb
Amazing lawyer. The other reviews are not wrong. I was in a pretty serious case and he walked me through it step by step. Knew exactly what to do and say during the court preceding's and in the end got me the results I was looking for. Can't say enough good things about him. I never want to be in that sort of situation again, but he would definitely be my first call.
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19 Apr, 2024 by Alejandro nogueda
He’s a great attorney got my firearms in less time than I expected , highly recommend him
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19 Apr, 2024 by Amber sands
Best attorney
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5.0
8 Reviews
13 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
I called 20+ attorney's yesterday. John is one person, he took 10min of his time and explained details around it.
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20 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
John quickly understood our challenges and the questions we had around them and graciously consulted on how to answer them.
In the end, the agreement we worked out with our landlords was a win-win, and John was really helpful in making that happen.
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22 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
After having the misfortune of being involved in more than 3 unrelated lawsuits in the last 2 years, I retained Mr. Isherwood to handle my cases.
Mr. Isherwood is an outstanding multifaceted attorney with the ability to quickly understand complex cases already in progress and provide excellent clarity in communicating with his client.
This is not the first time I have had to retain an attorney, but it certainly is the first time I feel I retained an upstanding, highly skilled, responsive, and highly experienced attorney with excellent knowledge of relevant statutes and the ability to quickly respond and stand up to big-money law firms. Scott's ability really helped put my mind at ease.
I won the first 2 cases. As for the third case, it was initially mishandled by another lawyer who was ultimately removed from my case. I again contacted Mr. Isherwood to help understand and clean up the giant mess left behind by the former incompetent attorney as well as help avert a complete catastrophe in my life brought on by a crooked mortgage servicer.
In the courtroom I was amazed by Mr. Isherwood's lightning fast ability recall facts and quickly object to the opposing party. Also, in court he often recalled the facts about my case faster than I did and was able to use these facts to ultimately win my case against a larger lavishly-funded law firm.
They say "Litigation is not a poor-man's sport", fotunately Mr. Isherwood has continually demonstrated a knack for averting long, drawn out and potentially expensive litigation and getting straight to the point.
I have so far used Mr. Isherwood against a fraudulent "restraining order request" which he won, a fraudulent claim for defamation, in which I also prevailed, as well as litigation against a bad mortgage servicer for which he has continued to provide extremely valuable and helpful services that have helped avert multiple catastrophes instigated by much larger large firms and people with deep pockets.
Mr. Isherwood has also been invaluable for general legal advice.
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20 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Aaron is really helpful and reasonable. He lets you know right up front what to expect in terms of cost and a timeline for getting your work done. He explained things really well and when things took longer than expected (not his fault, the dept. of corporations) he let me know right away.
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19 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Aaron has assisted me twice in reviewing and/or interpreting employment contract provisions. He has been thorough in his review and clear and direct in his questions, clarifications and advice. His counsel has been invaluable on both occasions.
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09 Dec, 2024 by Sunil
What can i say about Vrej! A perfect lawyer i could have found. I had issue at a newly bought house and vrej helped me in all aspects, in reaching a resolution for the issue. This issue was bothering our living in house and could not thank Vrej more for helping to resolve it. He was very thorough with the approach and research right from word go to closure of issue. Kudos to him !
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18 Nov, 2024 by Rolita
I hired Atty. Vrej Garabedian to handle my case as a Landlord. Vrej is
an excellent Lawyer. He made the legal process easy and smoothly well done
although it took a few months to end the case. That is Eviction or Lockout by the Sheriff.He made me feel better every
time there was an issue to dealwith. That means that Vrej quickly took care of it.I highly recommend Atty. Vrej to solve your problems without alarming you, neighbors, friends and residents in
the community site. GOD BLESS
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18 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Had another attorney originally and Vrej was able to help me to substitute as an attorney and quickly learn on the case and catch up to eventually solve the problem.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Robert brock
Not happy with this law firm at all was in a serious motorcycle accident that wasn't my fault and this attorney is getting more money than I am. If I could do it over again I wouldn't use this guy did absolutley nothing for me nothing but taking money stay away.I don't have any idea who all these other people are being represented by but I didn't get anything like there help .Im disabled for life and he didn't help me at all .
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22 Aug, 2024 by Bany robles
Proud to say that I just became a US citizen last month thanks to Erika and her team!! 👏🏼👏🏼🥳
My experience having Erika Portillo and her team as my immigration attorney for the past 10 years has been phenomenal! From the very start of my case she has ALWAYS been upfront and honest with me about my case which made the whole process much less stressful for me. Erika will ALWAYS go above and beyond her expertise to help her clients as best as she can!
I was able to petition my mother and she also just became a US Citizen two weeks ago! The only reason why I took the 10 years to apply for our citizenship was because I personally decided to wait until my Green card almost expired to apply for our Citizenship. I know I should have applied sooner but with three young children, my studies, and work, I got so busy in my “mom life” that I didn’t realize how fast time had gone by. The good thing is that as soon as Erika filed both my mother’s and my N-400 application in December, by February we had already received our appointment letter in the mail for our citizenship exam! After passing the exam, we received our Oath ceremony appointment for citizenship in the SF location just three months after! We are so happy and relieved that we no longer have to worry about our immigration status and most importantly that the process was smooth because we didn’t have to stress about receiving bad service or looking around for new attorneys because Erika took good care of us every step of the way. 🙏🏼
I mean this from the bottom of my heart because I’ve heard so many unfortunate situations of how difficult it is for our people to find a good lawyer who doesn’t charge them every time they show up to their office, or charge them tons of dollars upfront to take the case and then they take forever to respond or get a hold of. This is not the case with Erika Portillo!
With that said, I will say that it’s 100% worth your time and money to schedule a consultation with Erika to see if you have a good case. She will not lie to you nor waste your time and money like some attorney tend to. I actually just referred her services to a friend of mine who was asking for an immigration attorney for her brother in law. So I’m confident that if her family takes my referral, they will be in good hands.
*FYI: Both Erika and her front desk receptionists are all Spanish and English speaking so communicating with them and getting answers about your case is very easy as well. They were always ready to assist us with a nice smile on their faces.
What I love the most about having Erika as an immigration attorney is that she continues to educate herself. She stays on top of all the new laws and that’s what allows her to provide such clear and accurate services. I couldn’t imagine her being able to branch off and now having her own team if she wasn’t this great! That speaks volumes! A big congratulations to her again for that because she’s a very hard working woman who deserves such success, respect, and your trust!
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16 Aug, 2024 by Gary curry
I had a case where I was electrocuted and for 10months VZ worked on my case of course looking to take care of me appropriately based on the nature of the case. Once they found out I was on probation for a crime I had not committed but got railroaded, they first said we can’t represent you because of the nature of your case. I was like, WHAT? We have a working case and now 10months later the partners decide they don’t want to represent me anymore because of my probation???? What the heck does that even have to do with me getting what’s owed to me because I was electrocuted? They gave me some pocket change and took there money like I was an old appliance. Now I could have said no I’ll try and find another law firm but law firms don’t like to take cases that other law firms backed up on. I don’t recommend this law firm to anyone. Especially if you have a record.
0 stars
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17 Nov, 2018 by Amanda
Dawn is an amazing lawyer. She's organized, ethical, sharp as as knife , and knows the laws backward and forward from both sides of personal injury lawsuits. She was, from the first day when I contacted her, a downright pleasure to work with. She always got back to me via email, usually within 15 minutes (seriously!). She kept me updated on everything that was happening with a lengthy lawsuit. She made sure I understood everything that was going on, everything I was signing, and how the whole process worked. She held my hand through two years of legal processes around a tediously medical issue resulting from a car crash.
I had a sticky case: I'd been rear-ended and gotten some sort of soft tissue damage that put me out of commission for the better part of a year and a half. All sorts of diagnostics failed to show exactly what was wrong, and treatments failed to make it better in any hurry. There was just a lot of pain whenever I used my right arm. (In retrospect, probably a rotator cuff injury that we didn't catch until a year after the accident, when it was mostly healed). I was sick at the thought of talking to the insurance company; there's no way to prove that you're in pain. Dawn took my case despite the uncertainty around it, and she got me an absolutely fair settlement despite all the medical muddling.
In addition to being terrifyingly competent, Dawn was unfailingly kind. When we had to do a deposition, and I was scared of being interrogated, she made sure I knew exactly how it worked, knew what I had to do, and then spent a good 15 minutes afterward debriefing and checking in on how I was. Then she sent a follow up email telling me that I'd done a great job. She kept me in mind as a person as well as a client. She was so professional, so sure of every step, and so obviously on top of everything that I was able to let her handle the case and go about my life without worrying about it too much. I am grateful for her services, and I'd recommend her highly for any legal help you might need.
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26 Nov, 2015 by Claire
I want to thank you for bringing my lawsuit to such a satisfying and speedy resolution. I know that you had to argue convincingly to obtain agreements with Kaiser and Medicare. I was really surprised that you were able to obtain restitution for the golf cart as well. What I really appreciated was you clear and constant communication.
I always knew the path ahead and my options. All were clearly explained. Should I ever need legal help again I know whom to call.
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16 Nov, 2015 by Neal
Dawn Ceizler has helped my family and me twice with legal issues. She is a brilliant attorney and has the unusual quality of also being a very good person. She is someone you will stay in touch with. You could not ask for a better person to have on your side.
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05 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
Jack was super helpful with a landlord issue I was having as a tenant. He provided the resources I needed to understand and solve the problem, ultimately without needing to retain him. I definitely recommend him.
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31 Mar, 2017 by Trang
Jack did an excellent job with my case and went “above and beyond” The end result was better than I hoped for! He always returned my calls and explained everything. He is very trustworthy.
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27 Aug, 2016 by Al
Jack and Jennie treated me very well. Jack consulted with me on very short notice and gave me very sound advice. His fee was reasonable and I look forward to asking him to represent me if necessary.
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07 Dec, 2024 by Esco c
Amazing attorney do no hesitate to work with.
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22 Nov, 2024 by Jose lopez
If you guys need a bk attorney, this is your guy! Satisfied with their work. Recommend 100%
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20 Nov, 2024 by Tawfik musallam
Excellent experience. Helped me file for bankruptcy. Made the process very easy for me for a very fair price. Highly recommended to my family and friends. Thank you Michael Primus for the amaizing work you do
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10 Jan, 2025 by Bilal kubulan
İlticaSürecinde bana yardımcı olan Efe bey ve mahkemede yanımda olan Yusuf Bey’e çok teşekkür ediyorum ve Oğuz law Çalışanlarının hepsini ayrı ayrı teşekkür ediyorum size minnettarım
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10 Jan, 2025 by Müge arıker
Başta Müge hanıma ve Oğuz law ekibine teşekkür ederek sözüme başlamak istiyorum. 1.5 yıl önce Amerika’ya geldim şuan green cardım onaylandı. arkadaşım aracılığıyla Oğuz law ile çalışmaya başladım. Buraya ilk geldiğimde herkesin dediği ulaşabileceğin bir avukatı seç. Çünkü Amerika’da avukatlara ulaşmak çok zor dediler. Ve Oğuz law bu konuda beni hiç pişman etmedi. Müge hanım çalışmaya başladığımız andan itibaren ne zaman arasam her zaman ulaşabilir oldu. En stresli anlarımda bir arkadaş gibi yakalaşarak beni hep rahatlattı. Hiç bir zaman ulaşamama problemi yaşamadım. Son olarak Büşra hanıma da teşekkür etmek istiyorum. Son süreçte yollarımız kesişti ve beni çok güzel hazırladı. Şimdi green card prosesleri içinde birlikte çalışacağız ve bunun içinde çok mutluyum. Bu süreçte yanımda olduğunuz için teşekkür ederim.
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10 Jan, 2025 by Perviz efendiyev
Choosing “Oguzlaw” was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. It’s because the most sensitive issue in such matters was choosing the right attorney and I was lucky in this regard. In particular, Ms Gamza really helped me a lot in this work. What I see in her example is that you serve people by working too professionally and smoothly. Therefore I sincerely thank you all.
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13 Sep, 2016 by Steven
Mr. Khalil did an amazing job with my case. He was very informative, very knowledgeable, and catered to all my needs and requests. I don't know where I'd be right now if it wasn't for his expertise.
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06 Sep, 2016 by Christine
I recently went through some personal struggles and Frank was there to help me through every step. He was very professional and took the time to explain legal matters in a way I could understand. He helped me see all of the options that were available so I could make a informed decision. I have and will continue to recommend him to family and friends and look forward to working with him the future.
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08 Mar, 2016 by Joshua furnald
Frank Khalil was really knowledgeable and answered my many questions easily, and in a way that I could understand. His fees were reasonable, and he finished my estate plan promptly. I would definitely hire Frank again.
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20 May, 2024 by Ivan vindiola
The experience was great with Jason! He helped fix my situation and I have recommended him to others. 10/10 service !!
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20 May, 2024 by Yasmin de leon
I was recommended by a family member and they got my case dropped very quickly! I appreciate the honesty and help from Jason.
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20 May, 2024 by Anthony martinez
They were very helpful and always on top of everything. I will highly recommend these guys to anybody in need !
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29 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Ms. Stoddard represented me in a complicated car accident case. The person that hit me was elderly and information was lacking. I was always well informed, well represented, and felt I was a person and not just a number. When I had trouble finding a medical specialist, Ms. Stoddard was always available to review any credentials and/or discuss any of my concerns. She is an excellent lawyer that looked at viable solutions, and she just helped me remain positive at a very challenge time in my life. I received a fair settlement, and I can not recommend her enough.
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24 Apr, 2015 by Joe
My wife and I have had the pleasure of having Candice as our lawyer.
Trustworthy , Responsive and Knowledgeable are only a few of the words you could use to describe Candice.
She is over all an excellent and simply a terrific lawyer , we were happy to Candice representing us.
Thank you Candice
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18 Jul, 2014 by Hillary
Tim is one of the best real estate lawyers in the area and I've work with a lot of lawyers. He's well informed, gives astute advice and always kept me well informed about my case. He helped me with a very difficult real estate situation and I call him often for real estate and business law advice. And, he's a fine person. I'd highly recommend him and his colleagues.
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18 Jul, 2014 by Pamela
We needed a verbose and lengthy lease agreement reviewed in a quick time frame. Mr. Williams reviewed it quickly with great scrutiny and saved us from possibly finding ourselves in a bad situation. His detailed observations were invaluable.
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14 Apr, 2019 by Mamuka g.
Mr. Meisenhelder has been representing me for years. I'm running a multiple business that requires the legal counsel from time to time. Including reviewing our contracts, insurance policies and other business needs. We have them on a retainer and call or email away.
Mr. Meisenhelder and his team is always able to understand my unique requirement for a contracts that I need to create. They are able to reduce my risk and liability by identifying unforeseen events that could occur in the future.
I would definitely recommend him to anyone.
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11 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Ours was a complex construction defect litigation case and Greg worked hard to build our case and see it through to a positive outcome. I appreciated that he remained polite and professional to all involved throughout the process.
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12 Aug, 2007 by Anonymous
An outstanding lawyer with every attribute a client could hope for - knowledgeable, well-respected, articulate, caring, thorough, and extremely responsive. She receievd "super lawyer" honors and I definately believe she deserved such recognition. Highly recommend her!
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10 Jul, 2007 by Anonymous
Excellent attorney. He is very knowledgeable, friendly, compassionate, and honest.
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10 Mar, 2013 by David gallagher
Bob was very helpful to us on three occasions a few years back. I found him very ethical and willing to get the job done without complicating it unnecessarily. He helped us compose our own letters to our franchisor and edited them only when needed here and there. He steered us through some important negotiations with a light touch. Things ended up well with this tact. He also was happy to have a few conversations on the phone and provide a simple billing just for the time of the calls. I am happy to say my experiences were very satisfactory.
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03 Mar, 2016 by Edward wesley duncan
I retained Mr. Thiessen in 2007 to represent me in my Divorce Case. From the very start Mr. Thiessen was so on top of everything that I felt very confident that I had the best Representation possible. There was a large amount of money involved in a complicated case. We also had to file an Action in the Civil Courts, Brian Thiessen proceeded in the same integegrable fashion and represented me to the fullest. As if things weren't complicated already, my Father passed away during this time leaving his Trust. We ran into some major issues with other family members and had to file yet another lawsuit. During the course of eight years Brian D. Thiessen represented me in 3 Law Cases in which two of the cases went to trial. . Brian took care of everything with such Integrity that I never had to worry about anything. The end result was that we settled the divorce and won the two lawsuits. I can truly say that Brian D. Thiessen is among the most amazing people I have ever known. Brian got me through the most difficult time of my life. If your in need of the best representation you can get Brian D. Thiessen is the one. Thankyou Brian for staying with me and getting my life back to normal. My deepest gratitude. ***Three Thumbs Up *** Edward
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31 May, 2016 by Jean
Steven Wood has served as my legal counsel for nearly 20 years. First engaged as private counsel for plaintiff in civil litigation, and later as family counsel in estate planning and elder care issues, I have been impressed with his dedication and service in every realm. Mr. Wood allows and encourages client participation, assuring my voice is heard and concerns voiced through his. With integrity and a genuine passion for the law, Mr. Wood successfully represented me through depositions, mediation, and trial. He is adept in assembling legal teams, expert witnesses, and appearance in multiple counties across the state. At a time in my life when trust was difficult to extend, Mr. Wood proved himself steady by every measure, and in this continues. Thank you Steven!
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02 Nov, 2014 by Keith
I worked with Corinne and Krista Kim at Valence Law for over 6 months as they reviewed multiple commercial leases for me.
As a new business owner, the experienced advice she consistently provided was priceless.
They helped me avoid a couple of bad situations and I ended up getting a very favorable lease at my space.
Both Corinne and Krista went above and beyond every single time I had an inquiry.
I am so thankful for their support and can't imagine the nightmare I would be stuck with if I never consulted with them.
Thank you Corinne/Krista!
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16 Jan, 2013 by Rick
John is by far one of the most trusted attorneys I've worked with both professionally and personally. He walked us through each phase of our Will and Estate Planning and personally delivered our final documents to go over each and every step so my wife and I understood.
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19 Nov, 2022 by Jonathan quintanilla hoang
Great options mister Dan is an amazing, lawyer he been helping me so much. He knows the law so much and he find the best way to help you. He's Is honest and transparent.
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11 May, 2021 by T f
Needed an attorney for a few legal matters. Initially did some searching and was put in touch with Dan at ORO. Dan was confident and knowledgeable. Never promised more than he thought was possible and delivered results well above what I expected. The point of the story is if you need a lawyer this is the place to reach out to.
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18 Dec, 2020 by Joe vellos
13 Nov, 2023 by Mdmsfan “mdmsfan”
Great place to work.
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28 May, 2020 by Andre densby
05 Aug, 2019 by Myesha alamri
A bunch of awesome
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13 Nov, 2023 by Mdmsfan “mdmsfan”
Great place to work.
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28 May, 2020 by Andre densby
05 Aug, 2019 by Myesha alamri
A bunch of awesome
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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.
