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Gail F. Flatt
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Gail F. Flatt
Provencher & Flatt, LLP
823 Sonoma Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
Phone: (707) 284-2380 | Fax: (707) 284-2387
http://www.provlaw.com
Results-Oriented Legal Services
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with individuals or businesses that have issues involving the purchase or sale of real property, property rights, easements, construction contracts, construction defects and mechanics liens.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Architectural & Engineering
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Building Codes
- Buying & Selling
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Eminent Domain
- Homeowners' Associations
- Land Contracts
- Land Use & Zoning
- Mechanics' Liens
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Litigation
- Architectural & Engineering
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Building Codes
- Buying & Selling
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Conveyancing
- Eminent Domain
- Homeowners' Associations
- Land Contracts
- Land Use & Zoning
- Mechanics' Liens
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Litigation
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1982
Bar Number: 104422
Other Court Admissions
1982, California and U.S. District Court, Northern District of California; 1998, U.S. District Court, Eastern and Central Districts of California
Association Memberships
State Bar of California; Sonoma County Bar Association (President, 1989)
Continuing Education
I have well over 100 hours of CLE in the past 4 years.
Papers and Publications
Co-Author: Contractual and Financial Injury Litigation, Summer 1994; Personal Injury and Injury to Personal Property, Spring 1992, CEB Action Guide, Meeting Statutory Deadlines.
Author: Deadlines During and After Litigation, Spring 1994, CEB Action Gude, Meeting Statutory Deadlines.
Example Cases
In 2006 I successfully resolved a residential real estate case involving a failure to disclose significant soil erosion, prior to trial. I obtained a settlement for my client sufficient to pay for the repairs to the property and attorneys fees and costs. In 1999 I obtained an arbitration award of $500,000 for a sub-contractor client in construction contract litigation concerning the construction of the Sonoma County Jail.
Education
Degree:
M.A.
School:
University of Michigan
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1972
Focus and Accomplishments:
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Empire College School of Law
City:
Santa Rosa
State:
CA
Year:
1982
Honors:
Valedictorian
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of Michigan
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1968
Focus and Accomplishments:
Education
Number of Attorneys
5
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Provencher & Flatt, LLP is a results oriented, client centered law firm serving Sonoma County and other northern California areas. My partner Doug Provencher and I are committed to providing high quality, cost effective, value added legal services. For more than 20 years we have worked with individuals and businesses on a variety of legal matters as trusted advisors and vigorous advocates in both state and federal courts.
Previous Employment Summary
I began a solo practice in 1982. From 1985 to 1988 I was a partner in Intner & Flatt in Santa Rosa. From 1988 until 1999, I was first an associate, then a partner (1992-1999) in O'Brien, Watters & Davis in Santa Rosa. In 2000 my partner Doug Provencher and I formed our firm, Provencher & Flatt, LLP.
Activities and Awards
Arbitrator, Sonoma County Superior Court; Judge (Pro Tem), Sonoma County Superior Court
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I appreciate it when clients educate themselves on legal issues. I try assist with that education whenever possible. I make it a point to give concise and accurate explanations of the law to clients so that they can understand and participate in the resolution of their issues.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Most definitely. I often review documents prepared by clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Most definitely. I encourage clients to do as much as they can on their own behalf. I have helped clients with the preparation of documents and written scripts for them to use in small claims and limited cases.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I like to problem solve and law seemed like a way to help people solve their legal problems.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I worked as a teacher and probation officer before going to law school. Those experiences gave me a lot of insight into human nature and what motivates people. I approach cases by finding out what people need and then helping them develop a strategy to get it. As a firm, we believe in being honest with clients. We do not promise what we cannot deliver or encourage litigation that we do not believe will be successful. When we say we are going to do something, we do it. We believe in not only providing the highest quality legal work, but in being responsive to our clients. Our clients are important to us and we let them know it. We return calls and e-mails within 24 hours. Client calls are never an imposition. Over the past 20+ years we have helped more than a hundred clients resolve real property and construction matters. Many of our clients in the real estate and construction area have been with us for ten years or more.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I handled a few real estate matters early on in my career, but my love of real estate and construction matters really began in 1988 when I began handling real estate fraud cases, construction contract and construction defect cases. Although I do handle other types of cases, I have continued to work in this area because I enjoy both real estate and construction law.
What do you like best about your career?
The opportunity to make a difference for my clients is at the top of the list of things I like best about my career. I have been an attorney for 24 years and have never regretted my career choice. I enjoy litigation and have been quite successful at it over the years, but I also appreciate that litigation is usually not the best thing for my clients. I work with my clients to resolve their issues as early as possible and in the most cost effective way.
Tell us about your law firm:
Provencher & Flatt LLP is a results oriented, client centered law firm serving Sonoma County and other Northern California areas. In addition to myself, firm members Douglas Provencher, Tadd Aiona and Janis Grattan are committed to providing high quality, cost effective, value added legal services. For more than 20 years the attorneys in our firm have worked with individuals and businesses in a variety of legal matters as trusted advisors and vigorous advocates in both state and federal courts.
What are your strengths and style?
My unique strengths and expertise are problem solving, being able to think outside the box and being a passionate advocate for my clients.
I would describe my style as informal. I am a "people person."
Personal Interests:
I am a golf nut and cooking fanatic. I am also addicted to sports, especially basketball on any level. I like to laugh a lot.
Office Manager/Assistant
Deana Hopper
Fax
(707) 284-2387
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
All of the attorneys in our firm are willing to meet with clients outside of our regular business hours if that is more convenient for the client.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
American Sign Language
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I do not have fixed price services. All of our work is done on an hourly basis.
Hourly Rates
$275
Free Initial Consultation?
None
Typical Retainer
The amount of retainer depends on the type and complexity of the case. For litigation it is typically $5,000.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
