Clients can feel comfortable discussing any form of legal problems with our attorneys, even if we do not specialize in that area of law. If we handle the particular type of case, and decide to represent the client, we can "open a file," sign a retainer agreement, and commence representation. If we do not handle the particular type of case, we can refer the person to an attorney or several attorneys who specialize in the area of law, or to a local bar association referral service that has a referral panel, or to a legal insurance plan. Persons who contact our office and obtain a free consultation are never left out in the cold, and receive quality guidance.
LITIGATION
We practice in the area of commercial and consumer debt collection, fraud litigation, breach of contract litigation, debt collection defense, and unfair business practices litigation. Our approach is to try to keep the client out of court, practice preventive law, and to minimize costs. We represent both plaintiffs, defendants, individuals, small and medium size firms. We pride ourselves in litigating fraud claims for victims of business, investment, or transactional fraud. The firm represents individuals and businesses, where insurance companies will not provide coverage or tender a defense. In our creditor collection practice, we prosecute lawsuits, complete judgment debtor exams, obtain prejudgment writs of attachments, judgment liens on personal and real property, levies, and motions affecting lien sales.
Bankruptcy practice combines a unique blend of federal law, state law, and local rule practice. This area is highly specialized. Since October 17, 2005, bankruptcy practice has transformed to a more stringent, pro-creditor environment since Congress enacted a "means testing" approach to consumer Chapter 7 cases, and other so-called "reforms." We have represented individual debtors and small businesses with serious debt issues for more than thirteen years. Debtors have utilized our professional services to discharge debts in Chapter 7, protect homes, business assets and property in Chapter 13, and reorganize businesses in Chapter 11. On the creditor side, we file motions for relief from the automatic stay, negotiate stipulations affecting cash collateral, file proof of claims, and conduct 2004 examinations of individual debtors and corporate officers and insiders. Our bankruptcy litigation practice is extensive. We litigate preference actions, fraudulent transfer actions, objections to the dischargeability of debts, claim objections, objections to exemptions, and actions related to bankruptcy. We have achieved successful outcomes in bankruptcy court ordered mediation.
LANDLORD-TENANT PRACTICE
The field of real estate law is broad and complex, and we specialize in the areas of litigation between purchasers and sellers of residential and commercial property and between landlords and tenants. We focus on transactional and investment fraud and breach of contract, specific performance, real estate finance law, quiet title, broker liability, breach of implied warranty of habitability cases, toxic mold litigation, and eviction practice. Our eviction practice for landlords and tenants is full service. Our real estate practice has grown extensively over the past six years.
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
Mediation is a process by which all sides to a legal dispute can in good faith have the dispute simplified and settled by working with a court appointed, neutral mediator. We have successfully mediated advantageous settlements in hundreds of cases, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. One of the advantages to mediation is that a mediator is usually appointed by the Court for free at no cost to the parties. If a case is settled through mediation, the client can control the result, and may fully resolve the case. When a case is settled, both sides receive benefits, and assume certain burdens.
Arbitration is the process by which parties litigate their claims before an arbitrator, who is usually an experienced attorney who acts as a trier of fact. Arbitration can be set up by contractual right or as required by statute for certain types of cases. The disadvantage of arbitration, is that all parties must pay the arbitrator, usually by the hour. This may be expensive. In arbitration, the rules of evidence are applied with some flexibility. We represent plaintiffs, defendants, and cross-complaining parties in arbitration.
ACTIVE REFERRAL NETWORK
Any statement, information, or image contained on any page of this website is not a promise, representation, express warranty, or implied warranty, or guarantee about the outcome of a legal matter, and shall not be construed as being formal legal advice. All statements, information, and images are promotional. All legal matters are factually specific, laws change on a daily basis, and courts interpret laws differently. No express or implied attorney client relationship shall be inferred from any statement, information, or image contained any pages of this website. No attorney client relationship is formed until the client or the client's representative, and the attorney signs a written retainer agreement.