Original message
| moseskjp
  |  "RE LAWYER..."
, Wed 7 Feb 04:39: 
Ok...hey. I'm getting ready to try & find a good RE Lawyer to work with here in Memphis. I've NEVER worked with a Lawyer before on anything.
So, what's in a good lawyer? What should I look for? What do you have/see in your lawyer that you personally do/don't like? What are the absolutely necessary things that he/she must have to be considered?
I'm green here with this whole thing. So, shoot me some free advice, man! Come on! 
...jp
"SW.SW.SW.SW."
[this message was edited by moseskjp on Wed 7 Feb 04:39] |
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| Lynn
Moderator
| "Re(1):RE LAWYER..." , Wed 7 Feb 10:58
 Did you say “good” and “lawyer” in the same sentence?
Q. Do you know the difference between a dead dog in the middle of the road and a dead lawyer in the middle of the road?
A. The dog has skid marks before it!
Okay I’ll be serious. My first test of a new lawyer is “does he return phone calls?” I will not do business with “anyone” who does not promptly return phone calls. You can’t expect a good lawyer to call you back in five minutes, but a return call within the same day is nice.
Q: How can you tell when a lawyer is lying?
A: His lips are moving.
You should talk to several lawyers over the phone and make appointments to meet with the ones that you liked. Have a list of questions prepared before your meeting. Some questions you might ask may be:
What percentage of your business is real estate related?
Do you invest in real estate?
How do you feel about creative real estate transactions such as subject-to, CFD, lease-option etc.? His answers here are important because if he/she is too conservative they may not be a good pick for you. You will also learn that “you” already know a lot more than you think you know.
Do you handle closings?
Do you handle evictions or foreclosures?
What are your fees? Hourly, eviction etc.
Q: If you are stranded on a desert island with Adolph Hitler, Attila the Hun, and a lawyer, and you have a gun with only two bullets, what do you do?
A: Shoot the lawyer twice.
Develop a list of your own questions. Remember, you are interviewing him/her to decide whether you are going to hire them or not. This appointment should be free. This doesn’t mean that you can’t learn a few things about your states laws etc. from the lawyer.
I personally want a lawyer that does not try to kill my deals. If I ask a lawyer to review something, I want him to say “these are the risks involved and this is what I would suggest”, not “You can’t do this”.
The best way to start your search for a lawyer is by talking to other real estate investors, brokers, title companies etc.
Q: Why won't sharks attack lawyers?
A: Professional courtesy.
Q: What do you have when a lawyer is buried up to his neck in sand?
A: Not enough sand.
Q: How do you get a lawyer out of a tree?
A: Cut the rope.
Q: Do you know how to save a drowning lawyer?
A1: Take your foot off his head.
A2: No? Good!
My apologies to any of our lawyer friends out there who lack a sense of humor!
Happy Investing!
Lynn
Knowledge is important but all the knowledge in the world is worthless without action! How many offers did "you" make today?
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