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Sari Kurland
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Sari Kurland
Sari K. Kurland LLC
211 Jersey Lane
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: (301) 424-2834 | Fax: (301) 424-2884
http://www.sarikurland.com
With Offices in Montgomery and Prince George's Counties
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to handle consumer bankruptcy cases, debt settlements, credit repair, corporate matters, loan modifications, and mortgage workouts.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Collections & Repossessions
- Credit Disputes
- Debt Relief
- Garnishments
- Credit Repair
- Credit Restoration
- Creditor Harassment
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
DC, Aug 1990
MD, Jul 2000
IL, May 1988
Other Court Admissions
Court of Appeals of Maryland, U.S. District Courts - District of Maryland, Court of Appeals - District of Columbia, U.S. District Court - District of Columbia, State of Illinois Supreme Court, U.S. District Court - Northern District of Illinois.
Association Memberships
I am a member of the Executive Council of the Consumer Bankruptcy Section of the Maryland State Bar Association - Consumer Bankruptcy Division, Maryland State Bar Association - Consumer Bankruptcy Section Executive Council, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys.
Continuing Education
I attend the Annual Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association Spring Meeting to fulfill continuing legal education requirements.
Example Cases
I have twenty years of experience representing consumer and business debtors in Chapter 7 and 13 bankruptcy cases. My experience includes the entire range of cases, both simple and very complicated for debtors with minimal income to high income debtors with complex cases who need to navigate the new means test to determine eligibility.
I have successfully represented thousands of individuals throughout the years and resolved their financial crises.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law
City:
Chicago
State:
IL
Year:
1987
Degree:
B.S.
School:
University of Illinois
City:
Chicago
State:
IL
Year:
1983
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Maryland, Washington D.C., and Illinois.
Firm Focus and History
I founded my law firm in 1992 at a time there were very few women bankruptcy attorneys. I believe that my practice is very different from other firms in that we spend time with each client to determine their goals and expectation so that we can find the best solution possible in each case. At the same time we care, we are empathetic and we have enjoyed a wonderful friendship and relationship with our clients over an extended period of time.
Previous Employment Summary
I've been working for myself for so long that my previous history is largely irrelevant.
Activities and Awards
• Speaker - Bankruptcy Bar Association: Spring Meeting 2007
• Speaker - Maryland State Bar Association Annual Meeting: 2008
• Speaker on The New Bankruptcy Law - Maryland Institute of Continuing Legal Education: Spring 2005
• Speaker for Half Moon Seminars on Consumer Bankruptcy: Maryland, May 20, 2009
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I prefer working with a client who takes the time to learn about mistakes that were made and how to avoid them in the future.
In order to make decisions regarding your financial future, it is imperative to be educated in all the financial and legal aspects of a situation. So many people come to me with problems that they obtained as a result of relying on salespeople who mislead them in regards to major financial decisions such as a car, home or mortgage.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
This is not applicable to my legal practice.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
This is not applicable to my legal practice. In 20 years of practice, I have never been asked to do so.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
It was never something I decided, I just always knew I would go to law school and become a lawyer; it was always part of my life plan.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I think better lawyers are defined by not just their legal skills, but by their people skills, because if you can communicate with people, you can relate to people to obtain better results. I've always had an attitude where I feel the need to apply legal knowledge I have to a client's needs and get the best results. People skills are obtained through living and gaining perspective. With more experience, you have more finesse and patience.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose to do consumer bankruptcy because it was natural segue from my focus in my college degree in finance. Bankruptcy law entails real-life interactions with clients and working to solve actual problems; this is not abstract or philosophical, it's real.
What do you like best about your career?
I enjoy the fact that I've been able to create and grow my law practice on my own merits. I'm proud that I created a successful law firm by myself. The benefit of this is that I've been able to create an environment with a human touch and where people come first. This allows me to work both nicely and respectfully without compromising successful outcomes.
Tell us about your law firm:
I'm a solo practitioner and all my clients deal directly with me. I have a wonderful paralegal who is loyal, dedicated, hard-working and has been with me for nine years.
What are your strengths and style?
I'm very direct and easy to work with. I have a positive approach to life, which invariably leads to positive results for my clients and their cases. I am focused on thinking of ways to improve and change a situation instead of why the situation is bad. I'm a friend, a partner and an advocate.
Personal Interests:
My husband and I just opened a restaurant called Bobby's Crabcakes. It was just named by Tom Sietsena, the Washington Post Food Critic, in the Annual Fall Dining Guide as one of eight of the best restaurants in Maryland to eat at now.
I enjoy playing tennis and being outdoors in nice weather when I can.
Office Manager/Assistant
Karen
Fax
(301) 424-2884
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Yes, Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Chapter 7 cases are priced individually depending on the complexity of the case. Chapter 13 cases are charged at the hourly rate of $295 per hour and are capped at $4,500 plus filing fees which are paid over a five-year period of time.
Hourly Rates
$295.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, for a half hour.
Typical Retainer
Most clients pay an initial retainer of $250.
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.
