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13 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
She is legit incompetent to handle anything of importance. She sent my confidential documents to my X in the middle of our nasty divorce. The letter was to contact her in so many days or she would file a motion to drop me as a client, she sent it directly to My X who of course w/ held the letter. So I lost my Judacare attorney due to her negligence. She had my address, & sent other documents to me. But the one of such importance she sent to my X. Also when I retrieved my documents, she had another clients documents mixed in with mine. Another clients Social security #’s , child custody information, address, phone # etc . Irresponsible to say the least! She never did the work to have child support w/held so my children went w/ out. She is a joke amongst other attorneys, when I found new counsel they laughed & stated she should never be allowed to take anyone’s case. Absolutely incompetent! It’s sad when you are in an abusive situation & desperate & have to rely on Judacare appointed attorney to help you and you end being abused by a so called attorney who is suppose to help you. I almost gave up & went back to that abusive situation because I was so afraid to fight in court without the attorney I lost. Turns out, she did me a favor. With how poorly she handled my case I would hate to see how she would have handled herself in court. My only regret is not turning her in to the bar. She should not be allowed to represent anybody!
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15 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
Miranda Lezcano is only in it for the money. She refuses to do any work. I emailed her with a question about our court order and I was charged $15 for an email back telling me to figure it out myself. In court she just sits back and let's whatever happens happen. Because of her not only am I in an unfair situation but my child too is in a situation that is unfair.
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06 Apr, 2024 by Terrence lafaive
This women will literally lie to you Saying you don't have a case in order to shirk work. Text book gold-brick . She will go as far as even trying to persuade you with erroneous information to convince you to not appeal your case. She represented my guy Curtis Brown and ended up causing a mistrial due to her ineffective performance. This poor man is doing 34 years in prison due to her negligence. I ask for my casefile and she won't even give me documents that negate my guilt. Marcella you should be absolutely ashamed of yourself.. When confronted by the Office of Lawyer regulation about emails that allude toward prosecutoral misconduct being withheld. She literally ignored me. Public defender Marcella depeters is the epitome of what's wrong with America's justice system. Shame on you.
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01 Oct, 2021 by Rico hart
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27 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Grace for my divorce. Initially, there was a retainer fee provided. Throughout the course of the divorce, Grace never kept me updated on the cost of his representation. I was never informed or given a bill until the end of the representation. Common practice for any other attorney is that they keep you informed and let you know if more money is needed for representation. Grace's main concern was the negative relationship he had with my ex-wife's attorney of which he had previous controversy with. Most of the face to face meetings were wasted time of Grace bragging about himself and talking about his personal hobbies which I was billed for that time. During the representation, Grace informed me that I needed value for my home. He gave me the option of getting an appraisal or going by the tax role. I told him I could not afford an appraisal and the tax role was accurate as to the value of my home. He took it upon himself to hire an appraisal company who in turn harassed my ex-wife numerous times before I had to call Grace and remind him that I had never agrees to an appraisal. In the final bill, Grace charged me for the appraisal, which was never done, as well as his time consulting with the appraisal company. The few things that Grace did for me I could have easily done on my own. Total waste of money and time. There are far better lawyers out there. I wish I would have done more research on him before hiring him.
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05 Jun, 2018 by Greg
Abusive foulmouthed. Very rude in front of our small children cursing and bragging about his toolbox. Bragged about knowing and shared details of a criminal case which he was not attached because he was friends with the sheriff and the sheriff told him all the details. Very ignorant of the law and had to keep looking things up in law books like a student. NEver heard of or was familiar with the law as related to family law. Just spent his time bragging about how smart he was. If you need a lawyer you would be better off going to the mall or walmart. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE
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18 Oct, 2017 by Tristah romero
Called for a consultation regarding a tenant landlord situation and before I could get to what the issues were he kept talking over me. Telling me as if I was a child what I should and shouldn’t be doing “you’re responsible for .... “ and here I didn’t even get to the reason WHY I was calling. It’s not as if we paid rent late or were withholding rent or that we damanged anything. Called to see if what the company was trying to do to us was even legal. I felt like he was already representing the other side! It was a CLC referral which offers a FREE 30 minute consultation and then the option of retaining them at a discounted rate not sure is perhaps that is why he seemed like he had very little interest in helping. He was very rude and demeaning. My husband and I are very well educated and responsible people (Nurse Practitioner and Police Officer) so for him to speak to a potential client like he did was appalling! Would NEVER recommend this law firm as Ronald Diersen was the one I spoke with! HORRIBLE!!!
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16 May, 2013 by Anonymous
THIS GUY IS A CLASSIC AMBULANCE CHASER TYPE. HE ISNT TRUST WORTHY. HE ONCE TOLD A GUY WHOSE WIFE WAS HIS CLIENT. "YOU PAID YOUR LAWYER A NICE FEE'. SHE DOESNT WANT TO PAY ME NOTHING EXCEPT FOR EACH SINGLE TIME i SHOW UP IN COURT. iM NOT GONNA DO NOTHING FOR HER. EVEN THOUGH THIS BENIFITED ME AS THE OTHER PARTY . I THOUGHT WHAT AN UNETHICAL PRICK HE IS. SHE EXPECTED HIM TO REPRESENT HER AND HE WAS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY MONEY MONEY AND HE SHOULD HAVE JUST SAID I DONT WANT TO TAKE YOUR CASE. DONT TRUST THIS GUY I SURE DONT. NOW HE GOES AROUND DOING SMALL CLAIMS CASES FOR BIG BANKS AND CREDIT CARD COMPANYS AGAINST POOR AND FEEBLE OLD PEOPLE WHO CANT PAY BECAUSE THERE INDIGENT BUT THAT DOESNT STOP THIS GUY.
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16 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
This attorney does not communicate or take phone calls and will not call back no matter how many times you let your name and number. Got the impression that he has no time for you and your questions. Does not keep you updated and does not file documents on time.
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08 Feb, 2023 by Jill
If you want an attorney that won't answer your emails, reply to your questions and concerns, AND still charge you for reading every email you send, then Attorney Krajnek is for you. On the other hand, if you want an attorney that will properly represent you, then I would go with just about any other attorney you can find.
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25 May, 2015 by Ryan jeremy leaver
After investing $5,000.00 into Gergen, Gergen, and Gergen -- the personal injury attorney is never there and $2,500.00 mysteriously disappeared from our "trust account" after being denied monthly invoices for 3 months that of course arrived mysteriously over a weekend when they are closed. Then staff & Gergen attempted to state on the record and in court I was "harassing" his staff questioning the billing that fell outside of the retainer agreement. Bill was great in court when he got paid $5,000, making the points effectively I had to higher attorney Brian Hough to dismiss 5 months later! Bill Gergen neglected to obtain exculpatory evidence prior to his December 19, 2011 withdraw he failed to obtain from the Montana Highway Patrol on December 19-20, 2011 that the Court then used to dismiss the false allegations and harmful potential consequences and damages to life, limb, property, name and family.
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26 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Cannot handle caseload as very hard to talk to and very slow in handling situations. Very condecsending whenever I got a chance to talk to him. Easy tasks took a long time to do such as a lettter. I would never recommend this attorney as didn't really do anything for over three months that he was retained for.
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17 Sep, 2019 by David
incompetent pos lawyer. glad he's 65 and will be gone in 15 years.
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17 Sep, 2019 by David
incompetent pos lawyer. glad he's 65 and will be gone in 15 years.
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17 Sep, 2019 by David
incompetent pos lawyer. glad he's 65 and will be gone in 15 years.
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29 Mar, 2017 by Patty
I am disappointed in this lawyer. He does return phone calls or e-mails in a timely manner, even if he calls you first. He also does not follow through on jail visits, even when he promises inmates he will visit them. He did not inform me of court dates, I found out by looking them up on Wisconsin CCAP. Attorney Bartell tends to procrastinate and delayed calling the DA, which probably affected the course of the case.
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02 Apr, 2015 by Jeff
I hired Steve to handle a probate case. Rarely if ever did i hear from Steve. All my questions were referred to his part time paralegals who would answer via email several days after the question was posed. The first paralegal quit early in the case. The second was a part time lady who was actually quite polite and nice but seemed to rarely work during normal business hours and rarely returned my calls. They continually lost important documents that i had to re submit dragging out the process and at the end of the case the bill was 50% higher than what i was originally quoted.
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26 Dec, 2011 by Anonymous
she greatly misinformed our family without taking time to get the proof facts and caused alot of unnecessary harm.
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22 Jun, 2011 by Anonymous
I retained him in his area of expertise for a straightforward assignment. In my experienced opinion, his skill sets and overall performance was below average.
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15 Jun, 2017 by Brenda parent
I hired Att Marquette if you would to know how good of lawyer he is look up Parent vs Home Depot & Citi Bank and make your call on hiring his service or not. We spent over 5 years in federal court and thousands of dollars on a lawsuit that should have been open and settled with in 6 months. Home Depot and Citi Bank applied another persons credit card purchase to my credit card 6 months after the purchase and claimed it was mine to pay. Read the case! I lost because my Laywer filed under Wisconsin cousumer act. And had me settle with Citi Bank.And told me we will go after Home Depot. ( well wrong).The Judge though out my case because we can't sue Home Depot Under the WCA.because they do not collect the dedt. Or issue the C/C, Citi Bank does.And ask him why he did not try to collect the 25,000 I still owed him,and what happend in the case will Lee at the end.I would love to no his answer.He never gave as an answer.This cost me 4 lawsuits and 10,000 of thousand of dollars. Thanks
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07 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Never used him personally but the gym he owns is the definition of woke cancel-culture. Businesses should definitely steer clear of this guy unless you are extremely leftist.
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12 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Unhelpful. Couldn't be bothered to explain the real estate forms. Asking for clarification, provoked anger. Said they would "snail-mail" us the legal forms. Then, emailed us different forms, then we expected. Not all of us, Got the same forms. Very difficult, to get a timely response, from this law office. Finally, we had to placate, to finish the deal. We were the sellers, and warned the buyer against future transactions. The buyer has known us all for a very long time, and he listened To everything that we had to say about this office.
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22 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
Seems to cow tow to whatever the county wants instead of doing what is best for his client. Would not recommend him for any help dealing with elderly people who were railroaded by the county. Doesn't even cross examine the opposite side.
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25 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
He doesn't understand the law and what at will employment is. What kind of clown prevents people from leaving a job that is designated as at will employment? He will throw you in jail for contempt if you roll your eyes at him so please be careful.
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14 Mar, 2022 by Josh
Was in for a meeting with him over a family divorce and he puts people down, talks down to people. Very rude and disrespectful. Most unprofessional lawyer I’ve ever met. He is on a high horse because he’s a lawyer and thinks he’s above you. He will try to trick and screw you out of money if you don’t know what you’re doing so be prepared if you hire him. I would not recommend this guy as your lawyer. Complete jerk. Please be careful..!!
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04 Jul, 2018 by Pat
She was to guide us through a revocable trust. We had a first meeting with assignments to get appraisals for all sides. When we met in the second meeting she obviously did not read the trust document and presented only part of the trust document, She didnt even read it with us. She made a blank statement that caused a deep riff between family members. When she was called on the mistake. She admitted she was incorrect and then stated since there was now a disagreement she should recuse herself and we should get other attorneys. The disagreement was just repeated written and verbal requests to please show us in the trust were she found certain intentions. She would not and did not ever do this. This was part of what she was to do i.e. guide us through this sad process. Her original misreading caused an irreparable disagreement that may now need to be litigated. This I believe could have been a civil negotiation prior to her statement. She admitted the mistake and apologized but still recused herself leaving us all in chaos. I believe she should have brought out the trust and read through it with us. I had to beg several times for her to give us all the file copy, which after a month she did via e mail. Our new attorney is night and day far more professional and thorough. I find Karla a nice person, but would not recommend her for this type of law.
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21 Mar, 2022 by Jeffrey
Michael is a very timid attorney and forgetful. Nrrds constant reminders on what to file and when. I think he's looking to retire.
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13 Dec, 2010 by Anonymous
I did not like the way I was treated by this law firm. They charge too much for such a low level of service.
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14 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
I paid this lawyer thousands of dollars and did very little for me. He acts like he knows everything, but when I caught him making mistakes, he blamed others. He overcharged me and did not put his client first but himself.
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16 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Meghan is into suing old ladies for bogus past debts. She sued my mother, won and garnished wages for two years only to discover the debt had been satisfied years earlier. She never bothered to look into the debt she had purchased. She 's just a paper shuffler.
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03 Dec, 2017 by Anonymous
Cardo Gorsuch represented me as a child many years ago. She was friends with my perspective guardians so she spoke to them and not me. She failed to represent me or to discuss my options and what was happening with me. In a system that where minors are vulnerable and unable to advocate for themselves, I think it's important to hold those who are professionally representing them accountable.
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06 May, 2010 by Paul
Bruce McIlnay has worked for me on many cases and situations, and I have always felth that the work is complete, through, and in my best interest. There have been cases in my history that the firm has reached settlements whish have saved me money and a significant amount of it. Bruce is very responsive to my needs and I trust him with any matters that have come up or will in the future.
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16 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
Bill slate took advantage of my elderly mother. Had her set up an entire new family trust in 2011. (There was one done 4 years prior) We just learned he stopped practicing (2018) because he has dementia. He should have stopped practicing long before this.
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02 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
I’d rate zero stars if I could. Inattentive. Didn’t respond to my emails. Didn’t do what he said he would do. Complete radio silence but he managed to send a bill for “services” though; he found a way to contact me then. Save your money—go elsewhere. AVOID! AVOID! AVOID!
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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