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Kenneth L. Samuelson
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Kenneth L. Samuelson
Samuelson Law Offices, LLC
2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
No. 417
Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 494-0848 | Fax: (240) 499-8939
http://www.samuelson-law.com
http://www.distressed-commercial-real-estate-law.com
Asset Protection Planning, Real Estate, Bankruptcy Law
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
Chapter 11's and workouts, especially with respect to residential and commercial real estate and small businesses, including loans, leases, foreclosures, evictions, contracts, easements and restructurings.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Condemnation
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Financing
- Conveyancing
- Eminent Domain
- Land Contracts
- Mortgages
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Insurance
- Title Litigation
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Broker & Transaction Litigation
- Buying & Selling
- Condemnation
- Construction Financing
- Conveyancing
- Land Contracts
- Real Estate Loans
- Title Insurance
- Title Litigation
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
Chapter 11's and workouts, especially with respect to residential and commercial real estate and small businesses, including loans, leases, foreclosures, evictions, contracts, easements and restructurings.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Collections & Repossessions
- Debt Relief
- Chapter 11
- Business Bankruptcy
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Bar Admissions
DC, Jan 1980
Bar Number: 302455
MD, Jan 1972
Bar Number: 197201010181
Other Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court; Federal and State Courts in the District of Columbia and Maryland.
Association Memberships
American College of Real Estate Lawyers; American Inns of Court (bankruptcy).
Continuing Education
I have organized, and/or presented, numerous real estate and/or bankruptcy law programs, including before the Harvard Business School Club of Washington, DC, the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the American Bar Association, the American Inns of Court, Law Seminars International, the International Association of Attorneys and Executives in Corporate Real Estate, CoreNet Global, and other organizations.
Papers and Publications
I authored, "Does a Lease Mean What It Says?" in the DC Building Industry Association "Pipeline" of February 2003. I co-authored a chapter of the American Law Institute-American Bar Association's Checklist for Drafting Leases III (2001), also published as "Drafting Letters of Intent for Leases (with Forms)," in "The Practical Real Estate Lawyer" of September 1997.
Example Cases
I represented the successful purchaser, out of bankruptcy, of the assets of a large internet service provider, including 20 facilities across the country. I served as the lead outside counsel, for the U.S. Government's Resolution Trust Corporation, in portfolio sales, of 163 distressed commercial properties, located in various states, after curing numerous environmental and other regulatory problems. I also successfully re-instituted the purchase of a warehouse after negotiations had broken off under my client's prior counsel.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of Michigan
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1971
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of Pittsburgh
City:
Pittsburgh
State:
PA
Year:
1968
Honors:
Graduated Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
District of Columbia and Maryland
Firm Focus and History
We focus upon trying to resolve disputes - especially those involving residential and commercial real estate - through negotiations. On the other hand, if negotiations don't fully resolve the dispute, we are adept at litigating such disputes in bankruptcy and other courts or in arbitration or mediation.
The firm was established on June 21, 2008, when I left an old-line law firm, focused upon bankruptcy and collection matters, to use my real estate background, to establish a real estate/bankruptcy boutique.
Previous Employment Summary
I worked at large law firms, such as Weinberg & Green (now part of Saul Ewing, as an associate) and Semmes, Bowen & Semmes (as a partner). I also worked for boutiques, such as Linowes & Blocher (as an associate, and then as a partner, handling real estate transactions); Wilkes Artis (as a partner handling real estate transactions); and Deckelbaum, Ogens and Raftery (as of counsel handling real estate transactions and involved in bankruptcy and collection cases). I also served, for four years, as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland.
Activities and Awards
Martindale-Hubbell Rating: AV (the highest). AVVO Rating: (Superb). Elected to the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (only 20 real estate attorneys in DC have been so elected). Former Council Member of the American Bar Association's Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section. Former Chair of the Opinions Committee of the Real Property Section of the D.C. Bar. Biography in Marquis Who's Who in American Law.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
As the Syms' slogan states: "An educated consumer is our best customer." I generally refer potential clients or clients to court websites (such as that for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland) or my blog, so that they can become familiar with what is involved and can start putting together the necessary documents.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I review client-prepared documents, but only if the client agrees to a number of disclaimers. Unfortunately, I often find that internet-based forms do not provide the client with all of his/her options and/or are not geared to the client's particular situation. I often try to give the client forms that I drafted, as applicable and partially completed, for the client to fill out with the necessary facts.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do that, but only if the client agrees to a number of disclaimers.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I found that I have an ability to understand the respective rights and feelings of people involved in a dispute, to remain objective, and to come up with give-and-take compromises. I wanted to be a peacemaker who could operate with an understanding of the legal consequences involved and try to get things back on-track.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
Dealing with my wife and children. I have also derive a lot of confidence from having negotiated large transactions for large clients, and from having litigated significant cases, against large law firms. Specifically, I have served as lead outside counsel in large transactions or cases (a) for clients such Verizon, ExxonMobil, Wells Fargo Bank, the Urban Land Institute, the State of Maryland, and the U.S. Government; and (b) against entities such as Boston Properties, the U.S. Government, the Washington Area Metro Transit Authority, and GE Capital and several large law firms such as Venable, Jones Day, Holland & Knight, Simpson Thacher, Womble Carlyle, Hunton & Williams, Arent Fox, and two firms that are part of what is now DLA Piper. Furthermore, through my active involvement in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and my former position with the American Bar Association, I have come to know many attorneys at large law firms. Thus, when big or small transactions or cases come up, I feel that I have been there and done that and that I can deal with the people involved, and I don't feel overwhelmed no matter who or what is involved.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I enjoy doing my part to get construction moving forward to create homes, offices, shopping malls, and resorts. I also found that dealing with a piece of real estate - from raw land to getting regulatory approvals, resolving development problems, getting financing, handling construction agreements, and handling sales contracts or leases - is something that came to me easily, perhaps because my father was in involved in home and restaurant construction.
What do you like best about your career?
It gives me the opportunity to participate in bringing resolution out of chaos.
Tell us about your law firm:
My wife is the most knowledgeable and efficient paralegal I have ever worked with. Secondly, I network with attorneys from across the country (most of whom formerly worked at large law firms), and paralegals, whom I have known and worked with for years, to add depth, and local expertise and contacts, as and when beneficial to the transaction or case. Lastly, I like being able to organize my firm to have hands-on contract to implement the case or transaction as I discussed with the client, but having that network available to provide me with multiple sources of particular people I want to help, when I want them, and giving them incentives via their being the originators within their own respective firms.
What are your strengths and style?
My biggest strength is my ability to absorb a lot of often conflicting information, quickly, and then to proceed calmly to organize it, to analyze it, and to come to an understanding of the position of all of the parties involved. In terms of style, I believe in preparing thoroughly and in keeping in touch with everyone involved. Lastly, I don't like surprises.
Personal Interests:
Military history and playing chess.
Office Manager/Assistant
Marlene Samuelson.
Fax
(240) 499-8939
Office Hours
24/7/365
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I do quote potential clients and clients fixed fees for specified work, particularly for producing first drafts of documents. However, I generally need to know the facts of the transaction or case before I can provide a realistic number.
Hourly Rates
$275.
Free Initial Consultation?
I offer a free initial consultation for up to 10 minutes. However, it is solely for the purposes of learning enough about the transaction or case to enable me (a) to determine whether I can efficiently represent the potential client in the transaction or case and, if not, recommend someone whom I think can; and (b) to advise the client of what the likely timeframes and fees would be, for various phases, if I handle it, including any possible fixed fees.
Typical Retainer
I generally need to have funds, in advance in a retainer account, sufficient to cover the amount fees and expenses I anticipate for the then next upcoming phase of the work. Before proceeding with that then next phase, I discuss, with the client, how and where the transaction or case has evolved at that point.
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