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30 May, 2016 by Trent
Shirley is an effective lawyer whom I highly recommend. She helped me obtain a favorable settlement against land developers who were trespassing on and attempting to misappropriate my land.
Throughout the case, she was thoughtful, strategic and kept me informed every step of the way. Her strategy led to a favorable settlement and I'd highly recommend her.
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25 May, 2016 by Dr james
In the past couple of years, I have had occasion to use Ms. Steinbach for a number of legal matters, most recently, to file a lawsuit against a builder for faulty construction and the resulting damages. She's very good at what she does -- knowledgeable about the law, driven, and very results-oriented. In addition to her knowledge and expertise, what most impresses me about Shirley is her professional demeanor and temperament. Lawyers who are all "fire and brimstone I-was-born-a-pitbull-and-will-fight-for-you (for an appropriate fee!)" are, in my experience, a dime-a-dozen (especially in DC), and often do more harm than good (polarizing/entrenching opposing sides, etc). Shirley takes the opposite approach. She's extremely level-headed and calm, even in highly contentious situations. In the litigation mentioned above, at the mediation phase, Shirley persuaded the builder to pay for over 90% of the costs of all the necessary repairs -- a far better outcome than I went into the proceedings expecting; there's no way we would have gotten to a positive outcome like this with a more contentious approach to the litigation strategy. Highly recommended.
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05 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
Shirley represented me in my divorce case and was very successful with taking it to the end and navigating difficult issues where previous representation was unsuccessful. She was extremely responsive to my inquiries and needs and was willing to engage me even during non-business hours. I found her to be a great listener and very well versed with the law. Shirley’s professional demeanor and thoroughness served me well and I would recommend her to any client seeking a divorce lawyer.
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26 Mar, 2023 by Julie spano
When I was experiencing the worst time in my life, and dealing with employment discrimination, bullying and harassment, Mr. Socci came to my rescue! He is skilled, personable, smart, fair, and works on behalf of those who are in need of assistance! I am currently in the middle of a very contentious case(s), and would have given up if not for HIM! He stands for those that are on the shirt end of the stick, so to speak! He has taken an ENORMOUS amount of stress off if me, and is a man who fights tooth and nail for what's RIGHT, JUsT AND FAIR! I will always be his biggest cheerleader, because he has literally saved my LIFE! AAAAAAAAAA++++++++++⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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12 Jul, 2022 by Victor
He made it simple,no stress he cares and he’ll answer any questions you have right away and he’s very knowledgeable when it comes to divorce
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04 Sep, 2021 by Akila
Attorney Laurence Socci’s service was EXCELLENT! He was efficient, precise and offered the best service that I could’ve imagined. The case, was a huge and news worthy case, that he won effortlessly. He’s the absolute best. In fact the opposing attorneys had an entire team, that was no match for Attorney Socci!!!! If you wanna win and want someone whose going to be in your corner then he is definitely your man. I’d use him 100 times over and I thank God I found him.
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20 Aug, 2010 by Pat
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for all the help you have given me during these past months with the sale of the house and my TOPA rights. I couldn’t have done it all without your consistent effort to make sure I was not taken advantage of because of my TOPA rights. I really appreciate all you did, especially your attentiveness for both us. You were always available when I needed you no matter if you were out of town. You always make it seems as if you were only a phone call or an email away. You continuously made sure I was taken care of even if it was just an email to let me know you are on the case. You are a very good lawyer and don't ever give up that attentiveness you give to your customers. On a scale from 1-10, I give you an 11. I would recommend you to anyone that needs the assistant of a lawyer. You were there even if it was just to listen to me ranting and raving about the unscrupulous nature of the way other people was handling thing.
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01 Jun, 2010 by Sharon
Lorenzo is a great lawyer, he handled my case in a timely fashion and he got great results. He really had my best interest at heart. He is a tell it like it is type of person, no games. I trustede him completely.
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24 Feb, 2010 by Anonymous
I met Lorenzo Cellini in August 2007 and was very impressed with the "can do" attitude from a young, hard-driving attorney. Lorenzo is a very detailed and personable attorney who appears to love his job. I feel he welcomes a challenge.
During the entire process of my case, Lorenzo kept me informed about every event and would spend countless hours with me in order to get the facts.
I was very impressed with Lorenzo during one of our mediation sessions when he refused to allow the opposing counsel an opportunity to take advantage of me. Lorenzo had all the supporting facts in every statement he made. He is a warrior.
I must say that having the right attorney is what made the difference in my case. I would highly recommend Lorenzo to anyone who needs a professional, dedicated attorney; one who does not mind being in the trenches and fighting with you. I would not hesitate to seek his assistance again should a similar situation arise.
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29 Dec, 2017 by Monica
Attorney Byron White is definitely outstanding! I searched for more than one year for an attorney to challenge my Godmom’s unthethical Legal Guardian and Conservator who was appointed against her wishes, and despite my objections. I greatly appreciate Attorney White’s help.
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15 May, 2017 by James
I hired Byron for my 2017 divorce case and I am happy with his service. One of the main things that I look for in an attorney is responsiveness when I have questions, need feedback or assurance - and Byron replied to my text messages and emails usually within a day or two - and his responses were detailed and thorough. The next main thing I need in an attorney is reasonable fees, and this was also something that I received. Invoices make sense and are reasonable in terms of the explanations and break-down of what fees are actually for. I have had other attorneys in the past where this was not the case, so I have a perspective on this topic, and know what is, and what is not reasonable. The outcome in my divorce case was such that I can say I got most of the things that were important to me, so I was happy with the results that Byron provided for me. I also had a good prior understanding on what to expect based on the conversations that I had with Byron, there were no surprises or anything like that. At the same time Byron was realistic and did not overpromise anything, so I always felt I knew what I was in for. I also liked the payment methods that were in place for me to pay invoices. All in all I had a very positive experience with Byron!
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18 Dec, 2015 by Sinclair joseph'edward alexander
Since the day I hired Mr. Byron I have been able to depend on for advice and guidance in court. I'm very satisfied and grateful to have him in my corner. Honesty and communication is key which Mr. Byron is 100% with his approach, representation, and tenacity to continue the fight in reaching the truth.
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01 Oct, 2013 by Roy
Lets face it, the world of business is complex and as a general rule business owners simply can't afford to trust lawyers. I met him because I did the leg work to ask other attorneys. At the time I needed a lion who was willing and able to litigate and win but smart enough settle. These are the qualities that I asked about with his peers they all pointed to Jack.
Jack Wuerker revived my trust in the legal system. He accurately forecast a number of complex commercial contracts and patent situations, and he successfully represented me without engaging in pointless litigation. I can tell you for a fact that is exactly what you want with an attorney.
When I need an attorney who is on my side go straight to Jack. When I need to negotiate a complex situation I go to Jack. When I need advice to steer me clear of problems know I can go to Jack Wuerker. This is exactly the kind of legal security that a great attorney like Jack provides.
Honest and straight forward legal opinions delivered with the tremendous thrust of integrity and experience, that is exactly what you should expect when you work together to solve problems with Jack Wuerker. During the past 20 years I have never seen him less than sincere and thoughtful about the well being of others.
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24 Sep, 2013 by Edward
I have known Jack Wuerker since 1998 when we met at his practice, Wuerker & Triarhos, to work on a plan to distribute stock in our small corporation to key employees. This effort resulted in an equitable and satisfactory distribution of stock, a shareholders agreement and a shareholders management agreement. Although this process took several months to work through, we were quite pleased with the results and I decided to refer all of our legal work to Jack.
In addition to the shareholder agreements, we’ve covered a lot of ground together in the past 15 years as Jack transitioned from Wuerker & Triarhos to Butzel Long, P.C, such as.:
• Writing and, over time, revising employment and consultant agreements.
• Working on contracting and subcontracting agreements with other companies and participating in negotiations.
• Providing legal advice and support in “birthing”, nurturing and launching a software development corporation.
• Providing assistance in establishing a GSA contract vehicle.
• Participating in discussions to create an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
I like Jack’s approach to problems, his inquisitiveness, insight and involvement. I have always been more than pleased with the results.
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24 Sep, 2013 by Willis
Jack Wuerker understands the big picture. It is not enough to understand you. He makes it his business to understand the opposing counsel and the counsel's client. Jack assidously does his homework. He is prepared whether it is a client meeting, a deposition, a trial or any form of client support. I have never seen Jack surprised by the argument of an opposing counsel. He always comes prepared. In summary you know that Jack is your best option when legal issues are involved
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21 Mar, 2014 by Mary
Andrea has been serving as General Counsel for the organizations I have led for the past nine years. She has been instrumental to the success of both of these schools - first Washington Yu Ying PCS and now DC International School. She has provided critical counsel to the schools in all areas of legal concern and really just sound advice where ever needed. She has provided expert financial and transaction legal services that ensured our transactions occurred smoothly and on budget. She creatively conceptualized the legal structure and drafted contracts for DCI that were critical to its founding.
I could not recommend Andrea more highly.
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18 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
Andrea and a former partner of hers represented us on an energy-related international acquistion / joint venture. Andrea was perceptive in identifying ongoing risks and was thorough, efficient and responsive in documenting the deal.
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28 Sep, 2011 by Gwendolyn
He handled my case successfully, from beginning to end. Friendly and intelligent with a strong work ethic.
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28 Sep, 2011 by Gwendolyn
He handled my case successfully, from beginning to end. Friendly and intelligent with a strong work ethic.
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11 Nov, 2019 by Alex
Ms.Wollenberg is a very professional and passionate attorney.
While she was representing me, the communication is very smooth, and the quality of the work is superb. I am really grateful for her works and time.
I would definitely give five stars to her, and recommend her to everyone.
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21 Oct, 2019 by Catherine
Attorney Jennifer Wollenberg has been doing great job for Nio case(a Federal Class Action) MAVNI soldiers. Because of her and her team’s great efforts, many of us got naturalization. She and her team answered our phone calls and emails (there are total 500+of us) I am so thankful for having them representing us. Thank you so much, Attorney Jennifer Wollenberg.
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15 Apr, 2010 by Eric
I would be happy to take phone calls or do follow up to anyone looking at working with Mr. Skok. I am the president of a small healthcare IT corporation. We operate in 23 states with a licensing, services, and consuling model covering 175 employees and over 3,000 software users. Patient privacy, and in particular the application, understanding, and incorporation of federal HIPAA, HITECH, ARRA, and then state and county laws as they affect my business are too numerous to mention here. Mr. Skok has been an invaluable partner in creating and negotiating contracts. I have frequently involved him in negotiations with ever larger and more prestigious healthcare providers. He has represented my company with integrity and passion. In our 8 year healthcare experiment, Mr. Skok has assisted us with every contract template and all major new client deals. On the otherside of the client experience, he has served as wise counsel in closing out unsustainable deals and parting ways.
As we have grown from a small start up to where we are now, our needs have changed in every manner imaginable. Early focus on sales has shifted to contract renewals and more sophisticated RFP-type responses. We have struggled with several instances of being sued by our business partners. Mr. Skok, though not a trial attorney, has been a reference to both myself and our Board of Directors throughout. Mr. Skok has referred and helped Universata identify other attorneys with speciality skills that have been very much to our benefit in litigation in other states, M&A, commercial real estate, and HR matters.
In 2005, we contemplated a series of acquisitions. While Mr. Skok was not our primary legal counsel through these, he was included as an advisor. His advice, recommendations, and participation in due dilligence helped us during and later on with 3 acquisitions we did in total. Specifically, he helped my company identify issues, understand them, and negotiate more favorable and protective terms for us. Later, when we separated from the owners of these acquired companies, Mr. Skok's understanding of the terms of those acquisitions was invaluable in making the separation less expensive and costly than it may otherwise have been.
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15 Apr, 2010 by Edward
I am the CFO of a $50 million dollar financial services company with multiple contracts within various federal agencies. Over the years as my company has grown steadily and diversified geographically, Mr. Skok has handled many legal tasks for us. Below I am listing a few examples, Larry has helped develop several of our key executive compensation plans (for example he help create our Stock Appreciation Rights Plan), Larry worked on several lease transactions for us as our space needs continue to expand requiring multiple facilities in several states and he has guided us though multiple multi-million dollar stock purchases/sales handling both negotiations and transaction documents. I would not hesitate to refer him to my friends.
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15 May, 2024 by Boonk gang67
12 Jan, 2019 by Ali javed
15 May, 2024 by Boonk gang67
12 Jan, 2019 by Ali javed
23 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
Each time in the last five years that I turned to Irene Lindner for professional advice or execution, she has more than met my high expectations. She is intelligent, forthright, experienced and humane.
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04 Jan, 2009 by Anonymous
We found Irene Lindner to be knowledgeable, pragmatic, and focused on greatest value for our legal budget. It was a pleasure.
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15 May, 2024 by Boonk gang67
12 Jan, 2019 by Ali javed
15 May, 2024 by Boonk gang67
12 Jan, 2019 by Ali javed
28 Jan, 2013 by Martin saturn
I have known Steve for over 25 years. He has represented me personally and professionally in many matters during this peroid and will continue to do so in the future. The matters have been extremely complicated at times. It is those times that Steve has proven to be invaluable in his representaion. He not only brings a high level of legal expertise, but his practical approach to business solutions have made the difference in getting the deal closed. Also, his dedication to details in EVERY transaction from sacrificing his nights, weekends, etc. to ensuring the documents are correct is wonderful to your piece of mind. Candidly, with Steve representing you it's like having the legal side and many business elements of the transaction on cruise control..
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28 Jan, 2013 by Aaron
Steve is a deal maker. He is honest, knowledgeable and very smart. He is the main attorney I use although I have deals nationally.
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15 May, 2024 by Boonk gang67
12 Jan, 2019 by Ali javed
13 Mar, 2021 by Howard
I had hired Roy many years ago. When a recent real estate transaction needed good council I recontacted him. He was always available, reassuring and knowledgeable. When the transaction became problematic he negotiated an approach that saved me from losing a substantial amount of money. I recommend him without question.
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14 Mar, 2018 by Polly
Quite simply – I feel lucky to have met Roy and have had him on my side. I was facing a complicated and emotionally charged situation – something that was challenging on many levels. From the moment he took on the case Roy gave me the confidence to believe I was doing the right thing in pursuing my case and that I had the right person to guide and support me. Importantly, he treated me like a person throughout rather than a faceless case. He was entirely professional but also offered guidance, reassurance and much needed lightness at the right times – so what could have been hard and cold felt human.
Practically Roy was always available and proactive. He ensured I knew what was happening at every stage. He kept me fully involved in all decision making helping me understand the issues and opportunities.
He always responded quickly and professionally to my calls and emails. Roy answered all of my questions and always explained (in layman’s terms) what was happening and why.
He handled the other lawyers extremely well – and with a good dose of humor. Whether face to face or in emails, he was always clear, direct, and completely in control.
Critically as we came close to the conclusion of the case, Roy redoubled his efforts ensuring all the people involved for the other parties completed their work properly and on time so we were able to reach a successful conclusion.
The matter has now been concluded, something that I do not believe would have happened without Roy’s involvement. I am so pleased I found him and would highly recommend him.
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25 Aug, 2014 by Glenn
Highly respected counsel on real estate matters in the District of Columbia, and provided spot on counsel and advocacy to this single unit landlord on a very difficult tenancy matter. She has a detailed grasp of both law and process in the area, and a world of practical experience. Understands when to fight and when to compromise, and never gets mad with her client's money. She was always responsive, and fees were totally reasonable. She is great reputation and has solid contacts in the community of real estate practitioners. She guided me, never pulled any punches as to the realities of my options, helped orchestrate an appropriate legal strategy and prevented me from shooting myself in the foot on numerous occasions. I could not be more pleased with the outcome of my matter -- the difficult, troublesome tenant who was literally souring my life, is gone, and my property has been sold, and it never would have happened without Patricia's counsel. And she is a solid human being, and restored my faith in the legal profession. I recommend Patricia without reservation.
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19 Aug, 2014 by Rosemary
I would ABSOLUTELY recommend Atty. Millerioux. She is excellent at what she does.
For the past 5 years, we have been fighting a nightmare real estate case. Atty. Millerioux not only kept me informed, but she explained things in "plain English" so that I could understand. And when I didn't quite get it, she would explain it again with extreme patience.
Atty. Millerioux is very knowledgeable in her field of practice, real estate law. In addition, she is an out of the box thinker and very resourceful. She is passionate about doing the right thing and open to ideas of the client. She leverages her vast 30+ year experience to provide the best service to her client.
I find Atty. Millerioux trustworthy on many levels. She is also very responsive. If she has competing cases, she will properly set expectations as to when she will respond.
Overall, Atty. Millerioux is an excellent attorney. In reflection of my attorney choices, I did a great job and would make the same decision 100 times over.
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27 Oct, 2010 by Derrel sims
I have found Ms. Sheridan, to be remarkably effective as an attorney. She has helped our Business and our lives personally. I find her to be of high integrity and most effective as an attorney.
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09 Sep, 2009 by Gregory
Patrice Sheridan has performed admirably pro-bono for non-profit organization efforts within my organization's founding rounds and with a now-structured non-governmental organization. She is exceptionally without ail, thorough, considerate, and has researched what others consider major issues, down to a finite point of making a "life-altering event" into a "simple exercise. Patrice gives credit to her profession's humanity.
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15 May, 2024 by Boonk gang67
12 Jan, 2019 by Ali javed
11 Oct, 2015 by Kristen
Dorene represented me when I had to go to court to evict a tenant. I am just an individual landlord, and don't have some massive company or anything, so for me this was a somewhat emotional process. Dorene knew the ins and outs of landlord/tenant law in DC, and really made me relieved to have her on my side! She was very responsive and made me extremely confident that she knew exactly what she was doing. Also, since she does this a lot she knows the reputation of the various judges, mediators, etc and knows a lot of the people you will deal with in the courthouse. Also, I found her services to be affordable for me and she doesn't nickel and dime you for every question (phew!). I have consulted her since this time several times to ensure I know exactly how to legally protect myself in the future. I highly recommend her!
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30 Sep, 2013 by Clarise
Dorene Mary Haney was very expeditious in following up with me in regards to my inquiry. After her following up with me I was able to assess what was the next steps in which I needed to follow through with. I did not end up using Ms. Haney because I did not end up needing a lawyer but if I had needed a lawyer she would definitely be someone that I would trust.
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15 May, 2024 by Boonk gang67
12 Jan, 2019 by Ali javed
16 Mar, 2016 by Michael
I’ve worked with Ryan continuously since 2012 and he’s become my most trusted advisor on all of my major decisions. He’s helped my businesses with complicated investment structuring, contract issues, lease negotiations, and a number of other general legal issues that have come up. I’m a restaurant owner and he really understands my business, particularly the financial aspects of our decisions. His ability to see potential issues before they arise has been invaluable. He’s extremely thorough and always goes above and beyond what’s required to help. I highly recommend him!
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16 Mar, 2016 by David mazza
I'm a co-founder of a hospitality group (Taylor Gourmet) that scaled pretty rapidly ....it’s very important that I have an attorney I can rely on. Ryan has helped us with a number of complex financial and licensing contract matters, his attention to detail is unrivaled. He consistently demonstrates sound business and legal judgment. I particularly appreciate that he always takes the time to understand our goals and budget before he starts “running up the clock.” I strongly recommend him without reservation. Since day of his engagement it felt as if he were a part of our internal team it truly set him apart and have been loyal ever since.
Best
David
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15 May, 2024 by Boonk gang67
12 Jan, 2019 by Ali javed
25 Apr, 2014 by Brendan
Tom Morton has assisted me with sagacity and thoroughness for the past 12 years. If I need a clear analysis of financial and investment issues, it is his advice I heed.
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14 Jun, 2017 by Johnbaird
He helped me out with my father's intestate estate. Without him, I don't know where I'd be. God bless the man!
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28 Dec, 2020 by Sam
I retained Randy for a potential employment dispute I was having with my former employer. They caved at the last second, but he provided tons of excellent advice and guidance. He also didn't immediately put me on the clock, or want to charge me for the initial meeting like most other attornies wanted to do. I definitely would use him again and recommend him to anyone having an employee-employer dispute.
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24 Sep, 2008 by Anonymous
Ken Max is one of the top attorneys in the nation when it comes to challenging tax assessments. If you are getting ripped off by the Maryland or D.C. governments, he is the one to call.
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07 Jan, 2013 by Brandon
Mr. King took my case against a terrible landlord. Thankfully we sought and followed his counsel before we signed the lease. When the landlord decided not to follow his end of the contract, we were able to take action with Mr. King's continued guidance. Had we not gotten his expert advice from the start we might have been in a very different position. With his counsel and swift response we were able to resolve the issue out of court and heavily in our favor. I would advise anyone to work with Mr. King. He is incredibly smart and down to earth. He made the process easy to understand and knew exactly what to do and when to do it. Simply excellent!
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04 Jun, 2021 by Sheila mcgew
Hi Lisa
Going through a partnership buy out and could really use your help. Currently getting the business valuation- please contact me at +12026642511 or
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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.
