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Richard Allen Hurlburt
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Richard Allen Hurlburt
Law Offices of Richard Hurlburt
870 Market St
Suite 315
San Francisco, CA 94102-3008
Phone: (415) 391-6496 ext. 111 | Fax: (415) 391-6497
http://hurlburtlaw.com
Tenant Rights, Wrongful Eviction: We Sue Bad Landlords!
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
Tenants seriously wronged by their landlords.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Buying & Selling
- Land Contracts
- Renting & Leasing
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Land Contracts
- Renting & Leasing
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1995
Bar Number: 179072
Other Court Admissions
California and Federal Courts.
Association Memberships
State Bar of California, Bar Association of San Francisco.
Continuing Education
I attend and/or teach continuing legal education seminars on real estate, landlord-tenant law, and litigation.
Example Cases
Multi-unit wrongful/constructive eviction of long-term tenants, settled at mediation for over half a million dollars. Many individual wrongful eviction cases settled in the one hundred thousand to quarter million dollar range.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor's Degree
School:
San Francisco State University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1987
Honors:
Graduated magna cum laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Focus on social stratification, rich vs poor, etc.
Degree:
Doctor of Jurisprudence
School:
New College of California, School of Law
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1995
Focus and Accomplishments:
Work-study internships doing eviction defense in San Francisco.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
The firm was established when I first became a lawyer in December, 1995.
Primary focus is tenants' rights in San Francisco. In landlord-tenant matters we only represent the tenants. Since 1995 we've represented hundreds of tenants in various matters, such as suing bad landlords for wrongful eviction, habitability, discrimination, harassment, etc. We've literally collected millions of dollars for our clients.
Previous Employment Summary
Law Offices of Richard Hurlburt, 1995 to present. Tenderloin Housing Clinic, Eviction Defense Office, 1993-1995. Self-employed auto mechanic 1989-1991. Intake counselor at a mental health managed-care firm, 1987-1989. Night counselor at suicide prevention hotline, 1986-1987.
Activities and Awards
Awarded Wiley W. Manuel Award for pro bono legal services in 1996 & 2005. Judge Pro Tem at the San Francisco Superior Court 2003-2005. Outstanding volunteer in public service award from the Bar Association of San Francisco in 1996, 2006 & 2007.
Completed 40-hour intensive Mediation Skills course in May 2004.
Licensed real estate broker in California since February 2005. Co-founded Blue Real Estate, San Francisco in April 2005, www.bluerealestatesf.com.
Founder and CEO of Tenants First, Inc. a ยง 501(c)(3) non-profit real estate investment firm dedicated to helping tenants facing eviction buy their units, www.tenantsfirst.org.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I love it when my clients take the time to understand the legal issues affecting their case. It makes my job easier and the cases come out better.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Depends on the circumstances.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
In theory I am very much in favor of people representing themselves in court and in negotiations. Unfortunately, the laws affecting landlord-tenant relations in rent controlled jurisdictions are complex and constantly changing. Long term tenancies can be worth a lot of money and affordable housing is in short supply. When someone's housing is at stake in San Francisco, they need an experienced landlord-tenant lawyer.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I originally became interested in taking some classes in law because I was interested in how the legal system worked. I was intrigued by the Iran-Contra scandal and the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings. I didn't expect to become a lawyer. During law school it occurred to me I could actually make a living representing tenants, which fit with my political values. I enjoy empowering the unempowered.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I think growing up in Alaska contributed to my "can do" attitude. My previous experience as a counselor really helps me relate to my clients, to keep the focus on their needs and goals. It also helps that I've spent 15 years representing San Francisco tenants. I've litigated most every issue there is or know someone who has. I have working relationships with the landlord attorneys and know their styles. I am also fortunate to be part of a group of tenant attorneys, who are available when I need a second opinion.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I consider the landlord-tenant relationship to be fundamentally unfair. It makes the rich richer and the poor poorer. I realize there are good & bad landlords and good & bad tenants. But generally, the relationship is one-sided and problematic. This is especially true in San Francisco, where housing is in such short supply. So, I guess I chose my primary area of practice because it fits with my values and because there's a demand for tenant lawyers in San Francisco.
What do you like best about your career?
Having my own practice is a lot of work, but it allows me to control my own schedule and gives me some control over my life. Landlord-tenant law is intellectually stimulating. I like helping people.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have one associate attorney working for me, Jonathan Joiner. He is extremely personable, intelligent, thorough, and hardworking. My clients end up liking him more than they like me.
What are your strengths and style?
What works for me is a hands-on, nuts & bolts, down-to-earth approach to litigation. I am thorough, aggressive and a tough bargainer. But I also keep focused on what's realistic, and what my clients need.
Personal Interests:
Family, traveling, photography, reading, swimming, snowboarding.
Fax
(415) 391-6497
Office Hours
9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
By appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Affirmative cases on a contingency basis. For eviction defense and other matters I charge hourly.
Hourly Rates
$250 for hourly cases.
Free Initial Consultation?
Free initial consultation on the phone; $100 for in-person consult where I go through the whole history, review documents & offer advice.
Typical Retainer
Generally, 10 hours up front.
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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.
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