Lawyers map
>157
experienced lawyers
Filter by
08 Feb, 2024 by Michael de st. aubin
I cannot speak highly enough of her expertise, professionalism, and compassionate approach. From the moment I began speaking with Shannon, I knew I was in capable hands. Shannon possesses a unique ability to empathize with her clients while educating them about the complexities of the legal process. Unlike other attorneys, Shannon goes above and beyond to ensure her clients fully understand their rights and options, making informed decisions with confidence. Her wealth of knowledge and top-tier professionalism are truly remarkable. Shannon was able to set realistic expectations for my case while instilling in me a sense of confidence and assurance. Despite the challenges of navigating the family court system, Shannon's guidance and support served as a beacon of hope during what can often be a daunting and emotionally taxing experience. In a system that can sometimes feel overwhelming and intimidating, Shannon shines as a bright light of positivity and reassurance. Her unwavering dedication to her clients' well-being is evident in every interaction, and I am immensely grateful to her. Working with Shannon DeBiase has been nothing short of amazing, and I cannot thank her enough for her outstanding advocacy and support throughout my legal journey. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation. Thank you, Shannon, for your unwavering commitment and for making a positive difference in my life.
Read more
12 Jan, 2024 by Steve portaro
Amazing firm of very helpful and knowledgeable Trust and Probate lawyers
Read more
23 Aug, 2023 by Raul ramirez
Avoid at all costs. I had the misfortune of using an attorney from this firm. They over charge, and then proceeded to do the bare minimum. In court they are too passive letting the other side have their way resulting in my child suffering as a result.
Do not let your family suffer.
Update: my attorney from this firm contacted me about my review. They stated that their poor work was intended to save me money. I never asked for that.
Read more
10 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Terry charges $500 and hour. He blew through my $5,000 retainer quickly. I never received one invoice in the mail.
In fact, I never met this man except for we had a conversation over the phone and I trusted him. He didn't do much to help my case except for he went and filed a document at court.
After several months, I decided to meet Terry in person because at that point we were getting close to mediation and something didn't sit well with me because the last conversation we had he demanded another $5,000 retainer if not he didn't want to speak to me and hung up the phone. That did not sit well with me!! At that point I was contemplating whether or not I wanted to continue to keep him as my attorney .
Well my intuition was spot on the whole time he kept on looking at his watch. I thought that he was so rude and unprofessional this man already blew through $5,000 for a set of paperwork and a ton of emails and here's the kicker he ended up charging me $450 for meeting him who does that?? I feel that Terry totally took advantage of me and I've learned a lot along the way that will never happen again!!
Rule #1 never do a consultation over the phone always meet the person face-to-face.
I was told by a couple other attorneys that the little amount of work that Terry did was not much. I basically got ripped off.
At that point I knew I needed to cut my losses and move on.
I finally came across a great attorney named William (Bill) Koehler $310 an hour very knowledgeable, professional, assertive and most importantly HONEST! Did I mention he's also the mayor of Agoura. Yup, that''s right Bill really knows his stuff. You definitely want him in your corner. At the end of this whole nightmare I ended up winning my case with Bill.
Read more
17 Apr, 2013 by Meyer
I was referred to Mr. Sternberg by a large firm that handles my business transaction matters after being sued collaterally over my involvement in a real estate investment. He proved to be an exceptionally capable attorney and class act. We won that case and I have since retained him to handle several matters, some small, some larger, of varying complexities and involving different industries. I have and will continue to recommend him.
Read more
17 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Bonnie is Semi retired and running a small home office. She prepares some Wills and basic documents but she is overall pretty ignorant about probate law. I hired Bonnie and many of the questions regarding my case were unanswered, she said she would get back to me later on the questions but she never did. I needed help on State planning but Bonnie turned out to be un dedicated to Law. She works from home and most days she has no help or staff making everything slower to process when she is charging over $450/hour.
Read more
02 Nov, 2012 by David
Bonnie Braiker-Gordon was a god-send for my wife and I. My mother-in-law passed away almost immediately after my father-in-law, and there was no provision in the meantime for financial controls and home ownership, as my mother-in-law had severe Alzheimer's and my father-in-law failed to change his will to reflect things such as home ownership, etc. With Bonnie's amazing help, we were able to declare my mother-in-law a ward of my wife and ownership of the home and all property as well as the control of my mother-in-laws welfare was granted to my wife as well. Bonnie did a fast and efficient job of convincing the court (rightly) that her parents would have wanted their home to be in her control, and not go to the state as a way to pay for her medical treatments. I cannot recommend Bonnie highly enough, as she and her team helped expedite a very difficult (and emotional) situation for us and did it with care and concern.
Read more
13 Nov, 2014 by Patlukes
I hired Andy as a Real Estate Attorney and he failed to tell me that I may be insured for my defense costs. When I found out, we were already thousands of dollars into the case. He did not offer to lower his fee when my insurance company accepted defense.
This case was about an easement and Andy never drove out to see the property, even though I asked him several times. My house was actually on his way home from his office. But he did not do his due diligence, yet entered me into an expensive, and restrictive settlement agreement.
He missed the filing date on a TRO and was NOT knowledgeable in real estate matters. He basically volleyed emails to the opposition, rather than trying to find a resolution to my problem. He is not thorough. I actually did a lot of Googling and found some important information, which we incorporated into my case, because he really didn't seem to care about permanently solving my problem.
I've since then, found out, that I had several remedies to my problem. Andy never suggested any of them, because he probably is not well versed in real estate matters. I highly DO NOT recommend him because I've basically gotten no where with him handling my case.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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.
