Real Estate Law

Commercial real estate developers and lenders, particularly in developing and restructuring distressed properties. However, we also do a lot of workouts and bankruptcies for and against law firms, trade associations and other non-profits, health care providers, and other small businesses.

DC, Jan 1980
Bar Number: 302455

MD, Jan 1972
Bar Number: 197201010181

United States Supreme Court; Federal and State Courts in the District of Columbia and Maryland.

American College of Real Estate Lawyers; American Inns of Court (bankruptcy).

I have organized, and/or presented, numerous real estate and/or bankruptcy law programs, including before the Harvard Business School Club of Washington, DC, the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the American Bar Association, the American Inns of Court, Law Seminars International, the International Association of Attorneys and Executives in Corporate Real Estate, CoreNet Global, and other organizations.

See www.CommercialRealEstateLawyerBlog.com.

Two most recent cases as of this writing: (a) A commercial real estate developer came to me, from other attorneys, after (i) his company had been thrown out of Bankruptcy Court on the merits, and (ii) he had lost on the liability issues, and was otherwise losing, in a suit brought against him personally on his loan guaranty. I got the Bankruptcy case re-instated, with the result that the lender sold the loan at a substantial loss, the client was able to negotiate a re-financing on favorable terms, the project is back under construction and creating jobs, units are being sold and rented, and the client became able to move forward with other projects. (b) On the other hand, I am currently representing a lender in foreclosing upon commercial real estate in which the borrower entity has filed several bankruptcies. Furthermore, the President of that borrower was recently indicted for health care fraud. There, I got the last Bankruptcy case dismissed with prejudice and we recently completed a foreclosure sale.

1

District of Columbia and Maryland

We focus upon trying to resolve disputes - especially those involving residential and commercial real estate - through negotiations. On the other hand, if negotiations don't fully resolve the dispute, we are adept at litigating such disputes in bankruptcy and other courts or in arbitration or mediation.

The firm was established on June 21, 2008, when I left an old-line law firm, focused upon bankruptcy and collection matters, to use my real estate background, to establish a real estate/bankruptcy boutique.

I worked at large law firms, such as Weinberg & Green (now part of Saul Ewing, as an associate) and Semmes, Bowen & Semmes (as a partner). I also worked for boutiques, such as Linowes & Blocher (as an associate, and then as a partner, handling real estate transactions); Wilkes Artis (as a partner handling real estate transactions); and Deckelbaum, Ogens and Raftery (as of counsel handling real estate transactions and involved in bankruptcy and collection cases). I also served, for four years, as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland.

Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV (the highest). AVVO Rating: (Superb). Elected to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (only 20 real estate attorneys in DC have been so elected). Former Council Member of the American Bar Association's Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. Former Chair of the Opinions Committee of the Real Property Section of the D.C. Bar. Biography in Marquis Who's Who in American Law.

Marlene Samuelson.

(240) 499-8939

24/7/365

Yes

Rockville
9710 Traville Gateway Drive
#301
Rockville, MD 20850

I do quote potential clients and clients fixed fees for specified work, particularly for producing first drafts of documents. However, I generally need to know the facts of the transaction or case before I can provide a realistic number.

$275 (primarily for non-profits) to $350/hour for senior attorneys; $225 to $325 for junior attorneys; $105 to $125 for paralegals.

I offer a free initial consultation for up to 10 minutes. However, it is solely for the purposes of learning enough about the transaction or case to enable me (a) to determine whether I can efficiently represent the potential client in the transaction or case and, if not, recommend someone whom I think can; and (b) to advise the client of what the likely timeframes and fees would be, for various phases, if I handle it, including any possible fixed fees.

I generally need to have funds, in advance in a retainer account, sufficient to cover the amount fees and expenses I anticipate for the then next upcoming phase of the work. Before proceeding with that then next phase, I discuss, with the client, how and where the transaction or case has evolved at that point.