How do I find a great RE lawyer?

I'm interested in getting professional advice before I start investing and maybe even incorporating, but I have no clue on how to find a competent RE Lawyer.

How will I know if the Lawyer is competent on a subject (RE Law) I don't know about?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:16AM

Northshore Beachbum

Property Manager · Honolulu, HI

426 posts
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Icon_minipost May 30 '08, 04:35 AM

Just as all real estate agents are not created equal, neither are all attorneys. In part, it depends on exactly what aspect of real estate, and at what scale.

For basic LL/tenant agreements and handling evictions, sit in court a few times, and you will see certain lawyers CONSTANTLY handling evictions. These are the guys you want for this. Also, most metro areas have one or two pre-eminent real estate specialists; with a little digging you should be able to find them. Typically, they will be involved with local RE related legislation and major cases. They charge accordingly, but are worth it for sticky situations! OTOH, the eviction specialists usually offer pretty low rates for that specific service, but should not generally be relied upon for unusual situations.

By your post, you are a noob, so you probably are not starting out with complex, multi-million dollar deals, so the eviction attorney will probably be sufficient to handle other minor contract related issues, and setting up standard corporations or partnerships. For bigger and/or more complex deals, you obviously need to research much further to find specialized business law practitioners. Even beyond that is another level of specialists involved with off-shore ownerships and serious tax avoidance issues. These are usually referred by upper echelon banking trust departments and international business law contacts.

Back to your original question, you should also seek a referral from your CPA, assuming the CPA has a focus in RE. (Bookkeepers and accountants withOUT the CPA license are NOT who you should rely on for RE activities.)

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:16AM

Pat Zorne

Real Estate Consultant · Las Vegas, NV

24 posts
2 Influence

Icon_minipost May 30 '08, 05:30 AM

I had an attorney tell me to look for someone who is AV rated. This is supposedly a rating system and an AV rated one is one that other attorneys would use if they were looking for an attorney in that particular field.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:16AM

Jason Hanson

Real Estate Coach · Oakton, Virginia

696 posts
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Icon_minipost May 30 '08, 04:57 PM

Interview several attorney's and remember they are working for you, not the other way around. I would ask them if they are familiar with creative real estate such as contract for deed, lease options, subject-to, etc...

Also, make sure they will get back to you in a timely manner and let them know upfront, that you expect this from them.

I am sure you will go through several attorney's until you find one you like, just as most of us did.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:16AM

Ned Carey

· Maryland

255 posts
1244 Influence
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Icon_minipost Jun 01 '08, 06:52 AM

Originally posted by "Primo_Coach"

I am sure you will go through several attorney's until you find one you like, just as most of us did.

Hey new picture Jason, looks good.

As Jason said you may go through a few attorneys. But also you may work with several different types at the same time. All of the following areas may mean a different attorney, settlements, asset protection and entities, landlord tenant relations, collections, contractor contracts, partnerships, commercial contracts etc.

A good place to go is your local Real Estate investors association. You may get refernces there. Also network with other succesful investors.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:16AM