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Susan J. Bayerd
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Susan J. Bayerd
Greene, Chauvel, Descalso & Minoletti
155 Bovet Rd.
Suite 780
San Mateo, CA 94402
Phone: (650) 573-9500 | Fax: (650) 573-9689
http://www.greenechauvel.com
Creative, cost-effective real estate solutions.
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
Real estate law can seem technical, but it's all about dirt and the things people build on it. I practice in all aspects of real estate: commercial leasing, Homeowner Association law, title insurance, easements.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Building Codes
- Buying & Selling
- Condemnation
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Conveyancing
- Eminent Domain
- Homeowners' Associations
- Land Contracts
- Land Use & Zoning
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mold Claims
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Insurance
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Building Codes
- Buying & Selling
- Condemnation
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Financing
- Conveyancing
- Eminent Domain
- Homeowners' Associations
- Land Contracts
- Land Use & Zoning
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mold Claims
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Insurance
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
I enjoy assisting businesses to achieve their goals in transactions and litigation in a practical and cost-effective way.
Sub-Categories
Business Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Marine Cargo
- Shipping
- Farms & Ranches
- Antitrust Law
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- Unfair Competition
- Commercial Leasing
- Mortgages & Foreclosures
- Business Successions
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
- Partnerships
- Professional Corporations
- Shareholders' Rights
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Lemon Law
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Warranties
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Disputes
- Mechanics' Liens
- Communication & Media
- Commercial Insurance
- Insurance Subrogation
- Consumer Class Actions
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1981
Bar Number: 99290
Other Court Admissions
All California state courts and United States District Court for the Northern and Eastern districts of California
Association Memberships
State Bar of California, Santa Clara County Bar Assn
Continuing Education
Current on all Mandatory Continuing Legal Education hours. I take classes in a variety of subjects to keep up to date.
Papers and Publications
"Inverse Condemnation and the Alchemist's Lesson: You Can't Turn Regulations Into Gold" Santa Clara Law Review 1981
Example Cases
Assisted in legal documentation of multi-million dollar sale of transportation business with concurrent employment agreements and loan guarantees; with two other attorneys in our office I am currently handling a $20 million probate matter which involves complex litigation on two fronts in addition to basic probate aspects.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Santa Clara University School of Law
City:
Santa Clara
State:
CA
Year:
1981
Honors:
Dean's List
Focus and Accomplishments:
Real Property. Published comment on Inverse Condemnation for Santa Clara Law Review.
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts, Journalism
School:
San Francisco State University
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1978
Honors:
Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Wrote on First Amendment law for Feed/back, the Bay Area Journalism Review during school and for three years thereafter.
Degree:
Certificate
School:
Oxford University
City:
Oxford, England
State:
Information coming soon.
Year:
1979
Focus and Accomplishments:
Studied Jurisprudence --American and British concepts
Number of Attorneys
6
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Greene, Chauvel, Descalso & Minoletti is a six-attorney firm founded in 1988. Our primary goal is to provide prompt and effective solutions to the business and legal problems that challenge our clients. We recognize the importance of prompt resolution of disputes, and assessing the fairness of a transaction, because experience has instructed us that fairness is crucial in business and legal relationships. We offer our services promptly and responsively with full recognition that our client is our "customer." We stress direct personal attention, responsiveness, attention to detail, and accessibility. Our attorneys and support staff will do everything necessary to keep you informed and knowledgeable about your particular legal problem.
Previous Employment Summary
I started as a law clerk with a large San Jose firm while I was in law school and continued to practice there for four years. I then moved to Sonoma County and practiced with a small, but well-recognized real estate law firm for five years. I got married and moved to San Jose where I was a sole practitioner for seven years while my son was young, then worked for three years for a San Francisco real estate law firm in commercial leasing. After another stint at solo practice, I have been with Greene, Chauvel for three years.
Activities and Awards
I am a Volunteer Fee Arbitrator for both the State Bar of California and the Santa Clara County Bar Association.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
The more my clients educate themselves, the better they can participate in their cases and the better the potential for a fair and cost-effective outcome will be. By understanding the basic law and the practicalities of their particular matter, clients can "walk alongside" me, which makes it easier for both of us.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am happy to review leases, purchase documents and the like. I hesitate to review litigation documents for anything other than small claims cases.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
Although I have done this in the past for a few clients, I am careful to make sure that the self-represented party thoroughly understands the law and procedure for their case.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I loved my Communications Law class in Journalism school. Later, I discovered how much I like real estate law, and it's grown from there. The longer I practice law, the more I see the law as a vehicle for people to achieve their goals (whether it be to buy or sell a business or a house, create a corporation, or resolve a dispute) in a civil manner. America is based on the rule of laws.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Everything I've ever done, from picking cherries to teaching preschool to waitressing to working as an insurance underwriter, has been service-oriented. Practicing law is more of the same. I'm here to serve people.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I love dirt.
What do you like best about your career?
I meet so many wonderful and interesting people.
Tell us about your law firm:
A diverse and colorful bunch. Ron Chauvel: an avid golfer business lawyer and estate planner; Marc Hershman: the Mayor of Millbrae (primarily does civil litigation and employment law); Mike Descalso: a relentless litigator; Paul Minoletti: a manufactured home and personal injury litigation specialist; Martin Harband: a salty, Vietnam-era estate planner; Brandon Reeves: a newly minted attorney; and me. We employ two legal assistants, Linda Taylor and Valerie Previte, one receptionist, Vicki Burton, and one IT whiz/accounting whiz/general whiz, Angelica Nordmeyer.
What are your strengths and style?
I listen so I can understand. I make sure I understand what people are saying. I'm good at explaining complicated stuff.
Quietly relentless.
Personal Interests:
Gardening, reading, painting, casual entertaining and visiting with friends. I'm active in my church.
Office Manager/Assistant
AnaMaria Galindo
Fax
(650) 573-9689
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Greene Chauvel does not have any fixed-price services, just hourly rate representation.
Hourly Rates
$235 - $250 associates; $300 partners
Free Initial Consultation?
First half-hour free.
Typical Retainer
Usually $3,000 - 5,000 depending on the matter.
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.
