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Peggy Chang
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Peggy Chang
Buresh Kaplan Jang Feller Law Firm
2298 Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 548-7474 | Fax: (510) 548-7488
http://www.bkjf.com
18 Years Alameda County Real Estate Practice
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
I like to help clients resolve legal issues which they cannot deal with on their own. Most of my clients are overwhelmed with regular life demands and the added burden of a legal problem often seems insurmountable. I take on new cases with the goal of helping my clients get back to life before the problem(s) arose.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Building Codes
- Buying & Selling
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Conveyancing
- Homeowners' Associations
- Insurance
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mold Claims
- Property Taxes
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Insurance
- Title Litigation
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
- Architectural & Engineering
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Building Codes
- Buying & Selling
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Conveyancing
- Eminent Domain
- Homeowners' Associations
- Insurance
- Land Contracts
- Land Use & Zoning
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mold Claims
- Property Taxes
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Insurance
- Title Litigation
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1989
Bar Number: 144364
Other Court Admissions
All state courts and the Northern and Eastern Federal District Courts.
Association Memberships
San Francisco Bar Association and Alameda County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I have taught landlord/tenant courses and continually attend educational seminars in my focus areas of real estate law. The laws governing landlord/tenant rights and obligations are constantly evolving and require constant review. Litigation in real estate disputes continually renders decisions that create precedents that affect my clients' cases and knowing what the courts are doing leads to successful resolution of court disputes. I have never had a problem exceeding the amount of continuing education hours required by our State Bar.
Example Cases
• I recently won a two week jury trial involving a construction dispute claim by my client. The client was not paid by a property owner who argued that he had not completed the job.
• I defended landlords in habitability claims arising after they evicted tenants for non-payment of rents or breach of contracts.
• I defended a property owner against claims of trespass and harassment by a neighbor involving boundary line issues.
• I assisted a developer in dealing with the city regulations regarding permits for easements, lot mergers and variances.
• I have prepared and/or reviewed a number of residential and commercial leases for clients.
• I have assisted property managers and homeowner associations with personal injury claims made against them.
• I have defended landlords and property sellers against mold related claims and investigated or pursued claims of non-disclosure and fraud on behalf of property purchasers.
• I have helped clients convert property in Berkeley to Condominiums and TICs.
• I have drafted agreements of all types relating to real property and its use, rental, development and sale.
• I also have had several cases assisting clients in defending against discrimination and ADA violation claims.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
Boalt Hall School of Law
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1989
Focus and Accomplishments:
I was an officer in the Asian American Law Student Association and worked on the Women's Law Journal.
Degree:
B.A . - Speech Communications and Criminal Justice
School:
San Francisco State University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1986
Number of Attorneys
7
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
This firm was formed in 1982 in another location in Berkeley. We subsequently rented, then purchased the building we currently occupy at the corner of Durant and Ellsworth. Our attorneys maintain an ongoing relationship with governmental agencies and the local real estate community.
Our firm includes a diverse group of seasoned trial attorneys who each specialize in a number of legal practice areas including insurance coverage and defense, subrogation, products liability, personal injury to my specialty in real estate law. Most of our attorneys have been with the firm for over 15 years. My partner Fred Feller and I specialize in real estate problems that arise from transactions, land use or development and residential and commercial rental situations. We have significant expertise with local rent ordinances and have assisted owners before rent boards in San Francisco, Oakland and Berkeley. Fred and I handle matters in litigation and provide consultation and legal assistance on real estate concerns that are not involved with the court system. Our past clients include landlords, tenants, managers, realtors, buyers, sellers, neighbors, business owners, developers and homeowner associations.
Previous Employment Summary
Upon graduating from law school, I have focused primarily on assisting clients with real estate issues in San Francisco and Alameda Counties. I worked my way up as a law clerk, to an associate, and am now a partner in the law firm. I am familiar with the local judges and other practitioners in the real estate field and this enables me to represent my clients more effectively in court and in transactional negotiations.
Activities and Awards
I hold an AV rating by Martindale-Hubble. This is the highest rating available from a national lawyer rating organization. It bases its assessments on peer reviews by other members from the local Bar and Judiciary on my legal ability and professional ethics.
For more information see: http://www.martindale.com
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I think it always helps to have clients understand the law. I often provide clients with legal information so that they know why certain claims are being made against them. I have found that clients educated on the law find it easier to make informed decisions in the particular case at hand and in the future management of their property.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am happy to provide legal review of documents and comments to assist clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I have coached in the past, but find that the time needed to become familiar enough with the case to provide effective coaching was underestimated by those clients. It is really something I do with caution, when the client cannot afford to pay me to represent them in court or protracted litigation.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I have studied the civil and criminal justice system in our country since college and find it to be uniquely dependent on attorneys and courts. I wanted to be part of the system and to help people use it when needed. I see lawyering as a helping "profession." Without skilled advocates, people are not as able to effectively work within our system and are taken advantage of by others who do have skilled advocates on their side.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Other than dealing with real estate legal matters for almost two decades, I have personally bought, sold and managed property in the local Bay Area for many years. I network with a number of professionals in the real estate practice, including realtors, title company personnel, bankers and appraisers. I have a personal interest in the local real estate science and keep abreast of new developments in the law and business realms. It is my personal interest in the field that makes me a better lawyer than simply someone who practices in the area just because there are many clients in this field.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I see real estate as a primary investment vehicle for most people and found that legal problems involving it are often all consuming. I believe that my services assist property owners and help clients recover peace of mind. I use my knowledge and experience to make an unknown, frightening process more bearable and my clients usually tell me they feel they did the best after being fully advised of all options available to them.
What do you like best about your career?
I like the people I meet and the feeing that I am helping them manage and resolve their problems.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a wonderful, skilled secretary who is amazingly organized and can produce documents as quickly as I can draft them. The office manager is great and is here to assist with every administrative issue so that I can fully focus on the practice of law for my clients. There are six other attorneys available to assist with legal issues that might come from outside my specialty area. At times, they are able assist with appearances to ensure that there are no avoidable delays in the handling of my cases.
What are your strengths and style?
I am generally low key and a good listener. However, when dealing with the other side, I advocate vigorously for my clients and understand that I am being depended upon to look after their best interests. I often use my many years of experience and community reputation to try and get things resolved with the least of expense. I provide my clients with realistic estimates of costs and always advise of the risks inherent in litigation.
Personal Interests:
I like to garden and enjoy photography. However, I spend most of my time and energy with my husband and two grade school children. We also have a yellow labradoodle and a cat who believe they should be identified as my children.
Office Manager/Assistant
Julie Ziegler
Fax
(510) 548-7488
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at other times by appointment
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
I speak Mandarin, Julie Ziegler speaks Spanish and Desiree Cecilia speaks Tagalog.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
This depends on the task, but usually after the consultation I quote a fee and base it upon an hourly rate and estimate the number of hours it will take to do an isolated service.
Hourly Rates
$250 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, I'll provide an initial free phone consultation.
Typical Retainer
$3,000 for non-litigation and $5,000 litigation.
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.
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