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18 Jan, 2015 by Steven
As a commercial real estate CFO for the past 30 years, i have worked with many attorneys on a wide array of matters. These attorneys ranged from Park Avenue $1000/hr firms to local counsel in small towns. Peter is absolutely one of the best regardless of the firm size or stature. Above everything, he is practical and efficient in his representation of his clients. He vigorously and expertly defends his client, and does so with the overriding objective of achieving the client's best result even if it is at the expense of revenue opportunities for his firm. He never lets ego interfere in his dealings with opposing counsel, and he is extremely conscious how his clients hard earned money is spent on costly litigation. He does not delegate in areas that require partner attention - when you hire Peter you are getting a seasoned and principled attorney who is ethically responsible while aggressively protecting his clients interests. I would recommend Peter to associates, friends and family without hesitation. If you have a partnership or real estate litigation matter in the NY market, you are in good hands with Peter Schillinger and Lori Finsterwald.
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18 Jan, 2015 by Maryellen
Peter represented my Condominium in lawsuits filed against several professionals and vendors involved in a failed construction project. The lawsuits were settled for a high six-figure reward, which far exceeded my Condominium's expectations... ALL THANKS TO PETER'S EXPERTISE. Peter is without a doubt extremely knowledgeable and personable. He often assisted the Board at Owners Meetings fielding questions from owners keeping them as informed as the Board.
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06 Jan, 2015 by Cooper
Peter helped me resolve a complex partnership litigation case in 2012-2013. I was dealing with unresponsive international parties, and Peter's expertise helped us fast-track proceedings and obtain results that far exceeded my expectations. A case I had considered writing off as a lost cause became a winner for me and my family. Peter's fees were very reasonable and he was very easy to work with. He struck me incredibly knowledgable and extremely approachable -- a rare (and valuable) combination in the legal profession.
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03 Nov, 2020 by Darren gannon
12 Jan, 2018 by Tamart
We recently hired Mr. John Manning and his office to represent us in our home sale. We also gave him the power to sign on our bahalf at closing (as we were out of the country) and deposit our sale proceeds. We worked with two people from his office, primarily, who kept us informed on the closing process, reviewed the documents on a regular basis and answered any questions we had.
It was a very positive and professional experience and I would recommend the firm and staff.
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22 Sep, 2016 by Esther
John Manning represented us with our first home purchase. He is very knowledgable and professional. John was always easily reachable and courteous to our many questions. John and his staff demonstrate excellent service with attention to detail. It was a pleasure to work with John Manning and his team. I would not hesitate to recommend him or use him again in the future.
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24 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
I recently had the pleasure of working with John Manning’s office on a sale closing and had a wonderful experience. His staff is friendly and professional. I received regular updates and had all of my questions answered immediately. John was extremely knowledgeable and put me at ease throughout the process. I enthusiastically recommend John Manning to anyone buying or selling!
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15 Jul, 2019 by Jaqueris
I love my Lawyer Pablo Emilio FernanDez Herrera, he was clear about my case, he explained to me the process and the time frame of the case.... I will definitely recommend Pablo.
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01 Jul, 2019 by Jessica m.
Very good listener, he will tell you right away if you have a case or not to proceed so you dont loose your money like other lawyers that will tell you nice things and warm your ear so you spent thousands with them when they cant do nothing. Very knowledgeable staff. Worth to make an appointment.
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14 Feb, 2019 by Sandra prado
Estoy enojada me perdieron mis documentos originales. Todo horroroso
Estoy enfadada. Es un abogado que ríe para pedirte plata también te ofrece hacer unos TRABAJITOS. Luego te grita si llamas y pasan los días finalmente quise irme y perdieron mis originales estoy desesperada.
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26 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
I would of been better off representing myself. Horrible communication and just overall lazy when it comes to doing her job.
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16 Nov, 2018 by Scott
Bernie Krooks is a top-rate person, diligent and has true empathy for those facing caregiving and aging challenges. Highly regarded by his peers, Bernie has earned an excellent reputation for his quick intellect and his ability to create innovative solutions for the infirm elderly and their caregivers, estate planning clients and people with special needs.
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02 Dec, 2022 by C.perez
Well throughout my legal life I have dealt with a very many of high quality more than capable attorneys.Unfortunately due to my rollercoaster budget a large number of them were appointed to me by a bias court free of charge.Always amounting to a lot more than free,if you know what I mean.However being represented by a great lawyer like the Bronx born J.Deguardia was like a different felling,like the most important issue was getting the real justice I genuinely deserved,and being part of a confident more intellectual winning team.With a fair and just ruling for in my favor is an a amazing felling.I would recommend his expertise in the courtroom,or frankly any room or ring no pun intended to anyone looking for a clean and fair fight at court.Ok or ring for this hard straight up boogle down native.Some say I need a Jonny Cochrane for my case,I say give me Joe.
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17 Sep, 2014 by Laura
It is my experience with this lawyer that his office is very unresponsive and uncaring. I called the office to see if someone could help me with some home selling contracts that I needed to be reviewed ASAP. No one ever called me back. Went to the office to confront the situation and the receptionist couldn't care less.. Very sad...
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23 Feb, 2021 by Stacey
Horrible service and representation of any related to professionalism. Takes advantage of elderly. With possible intent to drag cases. Possibly turning in documents on behalf of clients missing required information with the intent of delaying legal proceedings in timely manner
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15 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
Hired Ms. Trott for a family court case concerning visitation and custody. Ms. Trott helped to correct a previous visitation order that was poorly formed causing endless disputes. We dealt with 2 other lawyers that either made promises they couldn't keep, tried to squeeze every dime they could out of us, or simply didn't care and did the bare minimum of work. The case was complicated and dragged out by the other party, but Ms. Trott never treated us unfairly and was patient. She was always understanding, and honest so we knew what to expect and that she would do her best. Hopefully we won't need to, but we would definitely hire Ms. Trott again.
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02 Mar, 2021 by Emma
My husband and I have relied upon Wayne's expert legal help as he represented us in three separate real estate transactions over ten years. He's top-notch! He takes time to explain contracts well, he's patient, and he answers all of our questions in a timely manner. Because of his thoughtful intervention a few times, he improved the terms of the deals we've done to our benefit. In other words, he takes an pro-active and protective approach to his clients, like the best lawyers do. I would highly recommend Wayne Spector to my friends and family. In fact, I have!
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20 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
We hired Mr. Spector in March of 2016 . My fiancé and I were told he would be able to help us with the issues we stated. It involved the rights of a father giving substantial child support for 18 years. We needed to know our responsibilities regarding a child moving out of state to attend college that was twice the amount of a SUNY Cooke he without the discussion between the two parents (which was agreed upon in their divorce pspers) The large sum of the college tuition exceeded what was affordable and feasible. We also questioned that once the ex-wife received her share of a pension (that she chose to finally take after almost 11 years, her choice) would the child support be lowered since my fiancées salary would decrease by almost $20,000. Me Spector took a $3000 binder and said he would go over the paperwork and contact us. To make a very long story short, after almost 8 1/2 months and absolutely no bills/correspondences,2 phone calls from him(due to our constant correspondence during that duration of time pleading with him to help us with situations that kept arising with no avail, only false promises. Calls, letters via emails and text messsges. Nothing was done. Nothing. Finally after dismissing him via letters and texts he responded telling us he had some issues going on and he would help us snd for us to reconsider and use his services. We agreed, and low and behold, nothing.. we contacted him again and told him he didn't keep his word and we wanted paperwork and bills from him since he told us things he did and was still doing. The only thing Nr Dpector did during the 8 1/2 months was get a tax sheet from the ex which seemed ludicrous. Long story short Mr Spector told us his fee was half of the large retainer we gave him and sadly never gave us one bill of his "services". Nothing. We received a check after about one month without any explanation or breakdown of services. Sadly the initial contract said any and every correspondence he did would have also been cc'd to us as well. Was not so. Very disappointed. Very disillusioned. We are now without a large sum of monies, without an attorney, have a court date out of state and will be handling on our own. Thank you
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06 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
This Attorney was horrible. He charged me a lot more than the other Attorney I had. He did not get me a fair deal. He is extremely rude and shows no concern for the client. Please do your research and hire a competent Attorney unlike Ed Odesser!
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31 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
I would not recommend this attorney. His behavior & the quality of his representation was inconsistent. At times, he was pleasant & worked competently. Unfortunately, he could also be so rude that it was difficult & unpleasant to deal with him. He didn't keep his promises & dropped the ball on some issues (more than once), & this made it difficult to trust him. His fees were high and not worth the attention my case received. In the end, I felt that he had never really understood my case, and that he didn't care about its outcome.
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24 Feb, 2012 by Anonymous
This individual (and the attorneys we were eventually pawned off on within his firm) are among the most unresponsince. This firm not only cost me in excess of 40K in direct billing but an additional 300-400K in business losses because they never informed of a setrious cinflict of interest. Stay away from this frim if you value your money and your business.
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10 Jan, 2008 by Anonymous
Client focus at least in my case was very poor and damaging. My mistake paying him $295.00 per hour promptly caused Lee not to think of me until just before the court appearances. After 3 years and a total of his $30,000.00 fee my bowling business that took me a lifetime to establish was lost. My business partmer who passed away elected the executrix who's attorney and Lee Wiederkehr seemed to have a pride battle with each other which resulted in my losing the business.
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24 Feb, 2023 by Gabrielle
I saved Ben for last. I gave him 22 pictures of an undamaged apartment door as evidence before my pretrial date. I had five court appearances. I kept asking him to show the Judge my evidence. Never got a straight answer. When Ben told me that my Judge, Walter Rivera got it wrong I decided to fire Ben. The Judge never knew about the picture evidence. A month before, I had contacted another lawyer to ask why Ben would not want to end this court case. I was told Ben was probably holding out for the actual trial where Ben would receive a percentage of what the court would award me for a framing, false arrest, false imprisonment, denying me legal counsel and committing perjury against me by the Greenburgh NY Police. When I attempted to get my evidence back, Ben took the pictures hostage. Ben would not give them back unless I told him if he would be my lawyer going forward. My new professional lawyer told him to FedEx the evidence to him. Instead, Ben wanted to handdeliver the evidence to him. My new lawyer never consulted with me about this exchange method. I have since found out that Ben had some not so nice things to say about me to my new lawyer. I noticed a change in his behavior towards me. Never found out what Ben told him, but the tension was so there I had to settle the case without any vindication or payment of my $12,488 in legal fees. I would say this classifies Ben as an “Ambulance Chasing Buffoon”.
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01 Apr, 2020 by Stanley
I was unlucky twice, first with my buyer and then with Carolyn Weiss as my litigator. Lack of focus, poor communication, many contradictions in her directions are some examples of my bad experience with her office. She is very quick to charge and slow to react.
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16 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Julie is so incompetent. Please do yourself a favor and find another attorney. She did not look out for my best interests and was only concerned about making money. She even lied to me for her own selfish reasons.
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07 Jul, 2023 by Ed
Hired outside of AVVO. Grainger claimed to have experience in trusts. After terrible results I later learned that I was his first such case. Basically I had to pay him to learn. If you hire him be sure to ask for references of similar cases he handled.
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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.
