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21 Aug, 2024 by Marie fitting
Very prompt, efficient and knowledgeable on work comp. Thank you Appel Law Firm!!!
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05 Aug, 2024 by Erick m y m
01 Jul, 2024 by Rigoberto vazquez
04 Dec, 2024 by Bethany baker
I highly recommend Michael Gellar for anyone seeking legal representation. Michael has been an invaluable asset throughout my divorce and child custody battles. His expertise, responsiveness, and professionalism made a difficult time much easier to navigate. He is not only highly ethical and thoughtful, but also deeply committed to achieving the best outcome. I trust him completely and truly appreciate his insightful guidance. Thanks to Michael, I’ve been able to achieve a successful outcome, and I couldn’t be more grateful for his support.
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23 Nov, 2024 by Mosen g
I highly recommend Michael as a divorce attorney. He's incredibly supportive, extremely knowledgeable and an effective and efficient problem solver. He truly cares about his clients and is always available to speak to you when needed.
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22 Nov, 2024 by Darrell ashley
I highly recommend Cal Injury Law Group. Anthony Luna and his team offered excellent service and advice to me, even when i contacted them during a dire time during my workers compensation case and on a very short notice as well. They immediately took action and got me out of a unfavorable situation, and educated me and guided me on how i should proceed with my case. Their rates are extremely fair especially considering how much they go above and beyond to get you a better and fair outcome with your case. I was very fortunate to get recommended to them
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14 Jan, 2025 by Amy shing
Mark helped me setup a trust, living will, advanced healthcare directive, power of attorney. He was responsive and informative and helped answer all my questions along the way.
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19 Dec, 2024 by Nathan christopher
If you are looking for a personal injury lawyer who genuinely cares and will go above and beyond for you The Herman Firm is the one to call. Highly recommended
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08 Oct, 2024 by Anna atayde-martin
Mark was clear, professional, and met all of our estate planning needs. The process was quick, we did a video call for all the information, and only had to go to his office once for the signing of our final documents. We are happy with our Living Trust.
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07 Feb, 2025 by Jonathan asercion
My wife and I needed to create an estate plan and honestly didn't know where to start. We decided to attend an Oath Seminar and afterwards, we were convinced that we found the right firm. Vaishali Gupta led the session and we connected right away. She led us through the entire process, which was clearly explained and professionally handled. We are 100% satisfied with the results! Huge shout out to Vaishali and Alajah, Oath Law was exactly what we needed! Thank you Oath Team!!
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22 Jan, 2025 by A sam
Ms. Bass and her team were highly professional and fought on my behalf during a very rough time in my life. I would recommend Ms. Bass to everyone fighting a tough battle with the law. She is dedicated and willing to show up for you in ways other lawyers would not. Ms. Bass goes above and beyond for her clients!
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17 Jan, 2025 by Barbara phillips-michel
Oath updated my trust and it was an eye opener! The other firm that I dealt with did not take the time to go over everything with me. Oath was so thorough and answered all my questions. Very professional and available for any information I might need.
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25 Jul, 2024 by Darla meury
Adam Carlson is a very upstanding and kind man.
Always there to help with what ever legal issue. He is very articulate and knowledgeable about the law, and serves his clients greatly 😊
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14 Jun, 2024 by Myiasha lewis
I had a DMV hearing where my license were to be suspended but because of my lawyers keen eye after reviewing body cam they were fully reinstated Thanks No Cuffs
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21 May, 2024 by Jason pfister
Nick is the best! You cannot beat him when it comes to an attorney who gives it to you at 150%: blunt honesty, understanding, compassion, exemplary legal abilities, kindness, friendship, humor. While he was unable to handle my potential claim, he still took time out and provided great referrals.
I will not hesitate to recommend him and the entire law firm team. Excellent office.
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25 Jul, 2024 by Darla meury
Adam Carlson is a very upstanding and kind man.
Always there to help with what ever legal issue. He is very articulate and knowledgeable about the law, and serves his clients greatly 😊
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14 Jun, 2024 by Myiasha lewis
I had a DMV hearing where my license were to be suspended but because of my lawyers keen eye after reviewing body cam they were fully reinstated Thanks No Cuffs
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21 May, 2024 by Jason pfister
Nick is the best! You cannot beat him when it comes to an attorney who gives it to you at 150%: blunt honesty, understanding, compassion, exemplary legal abilities, kindness, friendship, humor. While he was unable to handle my potential claim, he still took time out and provided great referrals.
I will not hesitate to recommend him and the entire law firm team. Excellent office.
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25 Jul, 2024 by Darla meury
Adam Carlson is a very upstanding and kind man.
Always there to help with what ever legal issue. He is very articulate and knowledgeable about the law, and serves his clients greatly 😊
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14 Jun, 2024 by Myiasha lewis
I had a DMV hearing where my license were to be suspended but because of my lawyers keen eye after reviewing body cam they were fully reinstated Thanks No Cuffs
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21 May, 2024 by Jason pfister
Nick is the best! You cannot beat him when it comes to an attorney who gives it to you at 150%: blunt honesty, understanding, compassion, exemplary legal abilities, kindness, friendship, humor. While he was unable to handle my potential claim, he still took time out and provided great referrals.
I will not hesitate to recommend him and the entire law firm team. Excellent office.
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25 Jul, 2024 by Darla meury
Adam Carlson is a very upstanding and kind man.
Always there to help with what ever legal issue. He is very articulate and knowledgeable about the law, and serves his clients greatly 😊
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14 Jun, 2024 by Myiasha lewis
I had a DMV hearing where my license were to be suspended but because of my lawyers keen eye after reviewing body cam they were fully reinstated Thanks No Cuffs
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21 May, 2024 by Jason pfister
Nick is the best! You cannot beat him when it comes to an attorney who gives it to you at 150%: blunt honesty, understanding, compassion, exemplary legal abilities, kindness, friendship, humor. While he was unable to handle my potential claim, he still took time out and provided great referrals.
I will not hesitate to recommend him and the entire law firm team. Excellent office.
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26 Feb, 2024 by John balquist
I have worked with Lara and Rachel for several years and I've always been impressed with their diligence and professionalism. As lawyers go, they are very down to earth with an unwavering compassion for their clients.
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27 Oct, 2023 by Steve turner
I spoke to attorney Tyler Smith around October 17, 2023 and Tyler agreed to represent me in an ongoing lawsuit. I was prepared to execute a retainer agreement and pay a $10,000 initial retainer fee. I told Tyler I would call him the following week to set up an appointment to complete the paperwork. The following week I called and emailed Tyler, but he did not get back to me. Literally at the last possible moment he breached his oral agreement and refused to represent me. I'm going to file a State Bar complaint. This is outrageous!¹
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20 May, 2023 by Lacie brown
I cannot recommend Heisler Rosenfeld LLP enough. The firm came highly recommended when my husband and I were looking to set-up our will and trust and after working with them we couldn't help but sing their praises as well, in fact, we immediately recommended them to my parents. Not only were they thorough and extremely detail oriented, they were also patient and incredibly caring. We truly felt like we were working with family. They communicated every step of the way and we left feeling that every one of our questions was answered throughly. Had we known it would have been such an easy and enjoyable process, we would have definitely done this sooner. Thank you Rachel and Lara for all of your help. I know my parents loved you as well.
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02 Apr, 2024 by Elissa lawson
I highly recommend Brigeda Bank if you’re looking for a smart, sharp, helpful, and compassionate lawyer to guide you through a complicated and stressful divorce process. She’ll advocate and provide valuable support to you so that you can achieve the best possible outcome for your situation.
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21 Oct, 2023 by Sarah garvey
I had a really solid experience with Givelle. While she did not provide legal assistance to me, (I was seeking to file suit and she’s a defense attorney), she heard me out and graciously shared what she knows to be next-steps in these types of matters. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone seeking a defense attorney because she exudes confidence and speaks with clarity and purpose.
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26 Sep, 2023 by John nepomuceno
Divorce is anything but a walk in the park, but through the distress, anxiety, and uncertainty around the process, Katie Fox, and her team at Fox & Bank, have done a phenomenal job in allaying any concerns or fears that I had, and helped run mediations between myself and my ex-spouse in a comfortable, fairly low-stress, and overall effective manner. Katie Fox is a consummate professional, and understands fully, the nuances around divorce, and the toll it can take on both partners, and their families. I felt heard and understood, and for that, I am extremely appreciative and grateful of her.
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16 Feb, 2025 by Jakub gruszczynski
If you are looking for a professional approach to your case, look no further. I could use thousand words to describe the level of their services, and it would not be sufficient. God Bless!
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17 Jan, 2025 by Francesca lalli
I worked with Alyona for my naturalization application as well as the application to remove the condition on my green card. I really appreciated and valued her support and professional guidance throughout the whole process. She’s extremely knowledgeable and available to address any questions that may come up. I highly recommend her and would work with her again.
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13 Jan, 2025 by Lucas gerbeaux
Alyona was great to work with. Very clear communication, pricing and services. To top it off, she's really friendly and has a great energy - no austere lawyer vibes. She can work with you in person or remotely (I was in a different state and it was still super smooth).
Came recommended by a friend and will in turn recommend to mine!
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20 Aug, 2024 by Captain n
I’d strongly suggest that you take your business somewhere else when I called on August 20 the lady was very rude and did not inform me or help me at all on how the process works with working with an attorney. This creates a very bad reputation for this business and they have, no professionalism whatsoever strongly suggest that you work with a different attorney regarding your real estate legal issues .
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26 Jul, 2023 by Randy r
Heath Langle & Scott Judson and both highly qualified and recommended attorneys!
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08 Jun, 2022 by Theodore havinis
We had a very enriching experience working with Kyla Hale to help us w setting up an estate plan for our family. Kyla is very knowledgeable, professional, organized, and very pleasant to work with. She guided us through a complicated process that we were not capable of handling ourselves, she took time explaining and helping us understand important details. She is easily accessible and always responds promptly when we had questions. Highly recommend her!
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20 Aug, 2024 by Captain n
I’d strongly suggest that you take your business somewhere else when I called on August 20 the lady was very rude and did not inform me or help me at all on how the process works with working with an attorney. This creates a very bad reputation for this business and they have, no professionalism whatsoever strongly suggest that you work with a different attorney regarding your real estate legal issues .
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26 Jul, 2023 by Randy r
Heath Langle & Scott Judson and both highly qualified and recommended attorneys!
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08 Jun, 2022 by Theodore havinis
We had a very enriching experience working with Kyla Hale to help us w setting up an estate plan for our family. Kyla is very knowledgeable, professional, organized, and very pleasant to work with. She guided us through a complicated process that we were not capable of handling ourselves, she took time explaining and helping us understand important details. She is easily accessible and always responds promptly when we had questions. Highly recommend her!
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02 Dec, 2024 by Roger lamm
31 Jan, 2024 by Giliat ghebray
Current working with Ethan and his team and very happy with the progress. Custody cases/arrangements can be very stressful and his team has been very communicative and supportive. I can reach out to them anytime and receive a timely response - something that is super important to me. Things can come up at any time and having a team that can provide rapid assistance is critical. I highly recommend Bay Area Family Law Center to anyone looking for top tier support and guidance!
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30 Jan, 2024 by Lauren covinha
Jay Renneisen is such an amazing, professional and honest lawyer. He is definitely someone you would want to have on your side! He was attentive to my needs, listened to all my concerns, was very organized and incredibly responsive to every email and phone call. He was able to win my case and get the result that I wanted! I would highly recommend Jay to anyone looking for a lawyer for his scope of work!
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02 Dec, 2024 by Roger lamm
31 Jan, 2024 by Giliat ghebray
Current working with Ethan and his team and very happy with the progress. Custody cases/arrangements can be very stressful and his team has been very communicative and supportive. I can reach out to them anytime and receive a timely response - something that is super important to me. Things can come up at any time and having a team that can provide rapid assistance is critical. I highly recommend Bay Area Family Law Center to anyone looking for top tier support and guidance!
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30 Jan, 2024 by Lauren covinha
Jay Renneisen is such an amazing, professional and honest lawyer. He is definitely someone you would want to have on your side! He was attentive to my needs, listened to all my concerns, was very organized and incredibly responsive to every email and phone call. He was able to win my case and get the result that I wanted! I would highly recommend Jay to anyone looking for a lawyer for his scope of work!
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02 Dec, 2024 by Roger lamm
31 Jan, 2024 by Giliat ghebray
Current working with Ethan and his team and very happy with the progress. Custody cases/arrangements can be very stressful and his team has been very communicative and supportive. I can reach out to them anytime and receive a timely response - something that is super important to me. Things can come up at any time and having a team that can provide rapid assistance is critical. I highly recommend Bay Area Family Law Center to anyone looking for top tier support and guidance!
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30 Jan, 2024 by Lauren covinha
Jay Renneisen is such an amazing, professional and honest lawyer. He is definitely someone you would want to have on your side! He was attentive to my needs, listened to all my concerns, was very organized and incredibly responsive to every email and phone call. He was able to win my case and get the result that I wanted! I would highly recommend Jay to anyone looking for a lawyer for his scope of work!
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20 Mar, 2024 by Eddie
Mr. Feldman came recommended from a friend while I dealt with my sister's estate probate. I was in a tough situation, not only my sister's probate was extra complicated but the lawyer I had was very unprofessional and uncommunicative. I talked to Mr. Feldman and was impressed with his knowledge and experiences. He assured me that he can take over the case and I would not need to worry about dealing with my ex-lawyer.
Fast forward 4+ yrs and the case was just closed this month. What a load off my shoulder! Aaron not only guided me through everything but solved quite a few difficult obstacles along the way. He is not only very knowledgable on the estate law but also quite good at what he does. He gave real advice even though at time it was not what I wanted to hear and proved to be the right one. I was really impressed with how Aaron dealt with problems with patient and attention to details. Aaron took care of everything as he promised and got the probate closed as the expected date with no delay. I would highly recommend his firm.
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03 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
We hired Mr. Feldman to review a contract and make edits and recommendation for proceeding. It took him almost 2 months to complete a few changes to a 2 page agreement. He would not answer questions, return calls, and was unavailable or busy most of the time. In his communication to us he stated the obvious and charged us for it or gave us conflicting advice. The first draft of the agreement was flawed and incomplete. Then when we pointed out our concerns he withdrew and did not complete the work. He has not returned our calls even though we asked for an opportunity to get back on track and make it work. He left us in a very bad position with months of wasted time. I would not trust Mr. Feldman or recommend him.
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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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02 Dec, 2024 by Roger lamm
31 Jan, 2024 by Giliat ghebray
Current working with Ethan and his team and very happy with the progress. Custody cases/arrangements can be very stressful and his team has been very communicative and supportive. I can reach out to them anytime and receive a timely response - something that is super important to me. Things can come up at any time and having a team that can provide rapid assistance is critical. I highly recommend Bay Area Family Law Center to anyone looking for top tier support and guidance!
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30 Jan, 2024 by Lauren covinha
Jay Renneisen is such an amazing, professional and honest lawyer. He is definitely someone you would want to have on your side! He was attentive to my needs, listened to all my concerns, was very organized and incredibly responsive to every email and phone call. He was able to win my case and get the result that I wanted! I would highly recommend Jay to anyone looking for a lawyer for his scope of work!
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02 Dec, 2024 by Roger lamm
31 Jan, 2024 by Giliat ghebray
Current working with Ethan and his team and very happy with the progress. Custody cases/arrangements can be very stressful and his team has been very communicative and supportive. I can reach out to them anytime and receive a timely response - something that is super important to me. Things can come up at any time and having a team that can provide rapid assistance is critical. I highly recommend Bay Area Family Law Center to anyone looking for top tier support and guidance!
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30 Jan, 2024 by Lauren covinha
Jay Renneisen is such an amazing, professional and honest lawyer. He is definitely someone you would want to have on your side! He was attentive to my needs, listened to all my concerns, was very organized and incredibly responsive to every email and phone call. He was able to win my case and get the result that I wanted! I would highly recommend Jay to anyone looking for a lawyer for his scope of work!
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02 Dec, 2024 by Roger lamm
31 Jan, 2024 by Giliat ghebray
Current working with Ethan and his team and very happy with the progress. Custody cases/arrangements can be very stressful and his team has been very communicative and supportive. I can reach out to them anytime and receive a timely response - something that is super important to me. Things can come up at any time and having a team that can provide rapid assistance is critical. I highly recommend Bay Area Family Law Center to anyone looking for top tier support and guidance!
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30 Jan, 2024 by Lauren covinha
Jay Renneisen is such an amazing, professional and honest lawyer. He is definitely someone you would want to have on your side! He was attentive to my needs, listened to all my concerns, was very organized and incredibly responsive to every email and phone call. He was able to win my case and get the result that I wanted! I would highly recommend Jay to anyone looking for a lawyer for his scope of work!
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03 May, 2024 by Carroll menasco
Uses robocalls to bother people
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26 Apr, 2024 by Alex martinez
Ron and Sandi do great work and deeply care for their clients.
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06 May, 2019 by Amy schroll
I have known Ron for a few years now and both he and his office are very pleasant to work with. Lyn at the front desk is friendly and welcoming, and Chris is wonderful too. Ron is well- organized and works efficiently. Ron does a great job and has a terrific team on his staff.
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23 Dec, 2024 by Twilight zone
If you want your case to last for ever with no resolution and pay extreme amount of money Mr. Wolch is the man for the job.
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12 Apr, 2024 by Jon del arroz
This firm screwed over two little children by getting them ripped from their home and took incredibly high fees in the process. They will fight over $10 and rack up $2000 in bills to do so. Avoid at all costs.
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05 Dec, 2023 by Megan mcdougle
Excellent lawyer for my best friend!! I’m so grateful for this human being!
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04 Jan, 2025 by Christine walton
Wonderful experience. Great knowledgeable and kind staff. Highly recommend.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Hassan abdulla
If you're thinking about moving to an HOA that they're involved in, I'd think again.
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15 May, 2024 by Samuel jensen
04 Jan, 2025 by Christine walton
Wonderful experience. Great knowledgeable and kind staff. Highly recommend.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Hassan abdulla
If you're thinking about moving to an HOA that they're involved in, I'd think again.
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15 May, 2024 by Samuel jensen
04 Jan, 2025 by Christine walton
Wonderful experience. Great knowledgeable and kind staff. Highly recommend.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Hassan abdulla
If you're thinking about moving to an HOA that they're involved in, I'd think again.
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15 May, 2024 by Samuel jensen
04 Jan, 2025 by Christine walton
Wonderful experience. Great knowledgeable and kind staff. Highly recommend.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Hassan abdulla
If you're thinking about moving to an HOA that they're involved in, I'd think again.
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15 May, 2024 by Samuel jensen
24 Aug, 2021 by Michael m
Very good customer service and Brian is the best!
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24 Jul, 2017 by Jennifer srivastava
28 Dec, 2015 by Michael young
Merritt Weisinger handled my divorce proceeding. He is an excellent attorney, and did a top notch job for me. He was also very supportive of me during a very difficult time in my life. I highly recommend Merritt to anyone who is in need of a very good divorce attorney..
Mike Y.
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20 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
He helped us on a boundary dispute case before. He was horrible. I can't even remotely understand the good comments he got. Those must be kindergarten cases.
He was not responsible and completely incompetent. He screwed up in every possible way. He was completely unorganized, spread out messy paperwork in conference room, only rented a space in another firm's office, doesn't even have his own office.
He was completely incompetent. Beware!!!!
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12 Jun, 2021 by D j
Dan was a lifesaver, skillfully navigating an unfortunate mess which arose with our renter while evictions were on hold under most circumstances. Dan jumped right in, successfully intervening before the situation reached a full on 'crisis' phase. Dan's intervention resulted in a favorable resolution with no litigation necessary. The legal fees we paid were an ultimate cost savings, many times over. One area where Dan really stands out from the pack: you can reach him. When I first reached out, he called me back within the hour. He commenced work immediately and went out of his way to make himself reachable when ongoing problems arose with our renters, simultaneous to juggling his Court appearances. This really made Dan stand out as we were far from his top 'rainmaker' case. I cannot underscore how pivotal it is to work with a litigator who makes the time for your case when an unscheduled crisis is brewing. Another key stand out about Dan is that you always get him, a senior litigator who naturally pivots between the courtroom and applying his litigator's toolkit to keep you out of the Courtroom from the get go. Dan is confident calling a spade a spade and suave enough to do so in a manner that conveys the point in a way which facilitates resolution with the other side. Although we hope to avert any issues in the future, we are more confident conducting rentals knowing that Dan will have our back if a problem develops.
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21 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
He charged me a retainer, did nothing, responds not at all, except to try to avoid a reversal of the fee charged to my credit card. In six months, he has never, never returned a call. How he can stay in practice is beyond me.
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10 Nov, 2023 by Terry
Mr. Hughey was not only knowledgeable and skilled in representing my case, but he was also personable, trustworthy, and prompt in responding to any questions I had. Working with him was a pleasure, and he was able to relate to my situation with integrity, empathy, and relatability. He is someone I would definitely recommend. Mr. Hughey possesses a kind heart. His knowledge of the law and experience were reflected in the outcome of the case, which was better than I expected.
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17 Jul, 2020 by Alex
I had really bad expirience with this attorney. Fortunately The fee arbitration after reviewing my case decided that he must return part of the payment he received from me.
I wish I never hired him.
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22 Jul, 2015 by Thomas
I contacted Mr. Hughey through a trusted friend. I am a property owner in San Francisco with several millions of dollars in real estate holdings. Despite the couple of reviews that I have seen here saying that Harmond is not good with communication, I found just the opposite to be true. He communicated with me and my staff promptly by either email, text, fax or phone. I found him very responsive and knowledgeable as to real estate law and to detailed litigation. I cannot understand how anyone could say a bad word against him unless they are inexperienced with dealing with busy attorneys, especially one's with partial disabilities. My Father had back problems like Harmond's, so I am familiar with the challenges this adds to performance, not that I ever noticed other than he was limited in the amount of my files he could carry at some times. I support strongly any professional who can perform above-average work and juggle their own physical limitations.
Beyond real estate, too, I referred him to a few of my friends who had business and contract issues in Silicon Valley and they reported back to me that his advice, review and negotiation skills were without merit. He also charged me a very competitive hourly rate for his work. He has a very diverse background and a litany of stories from his years of practice.
This man saved me hundreds of thousands of dollars with his expertise and his skill. I'm sold on him as an A+ attorney who started off his career at one of the largest firms in the state before opening his own practice. I only wish I knew more attorneys like him.
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24 Aug, 2021 by Michael m
Very good customer service and Brian is the best!
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24 Jul, 2017 by Jennifer srivastava
28 Dec, 2015 by Michael young
Merritt Weisinger handled my divorce proceeding. He is an excellent attorney, and did a top notch job for me. He was also very supportive of me during a very difficult time in my life. I highly recommend Merritt to anyone who is in need of a very good divorce attorney..
Mike Y.
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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.
