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Gregory B. Orton
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Gregory B. Orton
Law Offices of Gregory B. Orton
414 First St. East
Suite 1
Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: (707) 935-0356 | Fax: (707) 935-0366
http://www.ortonlaw.com
Friendly, Local Representation
Legal Topic
Bankruptcy
Preferred New Clients
Bankruptcy, real property litigation, real property purchase agreements, real property management, easements, evictions, etc.
Sub-Categories
Bankruptcy
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 7
- Collections & Repossessions
- Credit Disputes
- Debt Relief
- Garnishments
- Chapter 11
- Business Bankruptcy
- Credit Repair
- Credit Restoration
- Creditor Harassment
- Family Farmer Bankruptcy Chapter 12
- Municipality Bankruptcy Chapter 9
- Personal Bankruptcy
- Foreclosures
Legal Topic
Business Law
Preferred New Clients
Bankruptcy, real property litigation, real property purchase agreements, real property management, easements, evictions, etc.
Sub-Categories
Business Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
- Agrochemicals
- Crops
- Equine
- Farms & Ranches
- Livestock
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Antitrust Law
- Deceptive Trade Practices
- False Advertising
- Mergers, Acquisitions, & Divestitures
- RICO Act
- Unfair Competition
- Commercial Banks & Loans
- Commercial Leasing
- Credit Unions
- Mortgages & Foreclosures
- Savings & Thrifts
- State & Municipal Bonds & Financing
- Venture Capital
- Reorganizations & Restructuring
- Workouts
- Liquor Licenses
- Business Successions
- Buying & Selling
- Closely Held Businesses
- Corporations
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Franchising
- Joint Ventures
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
- Nonprofits & Tax-Exempt Corporations
- Partnerships
- Professional Corporations
- Public Offerings
- Shareholders' Rights
- Trade Associations
- Audit Defense
- Corporate Income Taxes
- Excise Taxes
- IRS Disputes
- Negotiating Payments & Settlements
- Property Taxes (Ad Valorem Taxes)
- Sales Taxes
- Tax Evasion Defense
- Tax Filing & Compliance
- Breach of Contract
- Contract Disputes
- Contract Drafting & Review
- Employment Contracts
- Franchises
- Lemon Law
- Non-Compete Contracts
- Secured Transactions
- Uniform Commercial Code
- Warranties
- Commercial Construction Contracts
- Construction Defects
- Construction Disputes
- Dangerous Property
- Government Construction Contracts
- Mechanics' Liens
- Art
- Communication & Media
- Gaming
- Internet
- Music
- Sports
- Tourism, Travel, & Leisure
- Film
- Literary Arts
- Publishing
- Television
- Debarment
- Defense Contracts
- Defense Procurement
- Federal Contracts
- Government Construction Contracts
- State & Municipal Contracts
- Annuities
- Bad Faith
- Casualty Insurance
- Commercial Insurance
- Directors' & Officers' Liability
- Errors & Omissions
- Fidelity, Guarantee, & Surety
- Health Insurance
- Insurance Malpractice
- Insurance Subrogation
- Life Insurance
- Motor Vehicle Insurance
- Property Insurance
- Reinsurance
- Creditor's Rights
- Garnishees
- Judgments
- Locating Funds
- Credit Report Problems
- Debt Collection/Relief/Harassment
- Foreclosures
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Repossessions
- Student Loans
- Truth in Lending
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1996
Bar Number: 184142
Other Court Admissions
All California state courts; Federal courts in Northern and Eastern Districts of California.
Association Memberships
California State Bar.
Continuing Education
I go to various seminars and lectures and study courses of interest through approved providers.
Example Cases
I represented Plaintiff in an easement dispute that involved her neighbor, father, and two realtors. The legal issue was simple and straightforward. The emotional issue was complicated and enduring. The case settled after four years of litigation. My client prevailed and paid me a total of $11,000 in attorney's fees. The neighbor incurred over $45,000 in attorney's fees and the malpractice carrier shelled out just short of $100,000 to defend one real estate agent. I don't know what the other carrier incurred. The lesson here is obvious and one that I point out to most clients in litigation. There are good ways, and efficient, economical ways to resolve conflict, and then there is litigation.
Education
Degree:
Master of Arts
School:
JFK University
City:
Orinda
State:
CA
Year:
1981
Focus and Accomplishments:
Clinical Psychology.
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
California State University
City:
Fullerton
State:
CA
Year:
1979
Focus and Accomplishments:
Clinical Abnormal Psychology.
Degree:
Ph.D.
School:
Professional School of Psychology
City:
San Francisco
State:
CA
Year:
1988
Focus and Accomplishments:
Clinical Psychology.
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
Empire College School of Law
City:
Santa Rosa
State:
CA
Year:
1996
Focus and Accomplishments:
I had the top grade for real property and was consistently in the top 10% in all classes. I also graduated a four year night school program in three years. I graduated in June, 1996 and took the Bar exam in July, 1996. I learned that I passed the Bar in November, 1996, and was sworn in December of 1996. I had a wife and three children under the age of ten during my years in law school and worked full time throughout.
Raising and supporting a family of four while in law school at the age of 39 to 42.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Bankruptcy representing debtors in Chapter 7 and 11, occasionally Chapter 13; real property litigation and litigation involving small business disputes; real property purchases, easements, boundary disputes, evictions, commercial leases, lease-options, etc.
Firm established in 1996. I took over firm from a lawyer retiring and slowly learned the litigation business, trial expertise, etc.
Previous Employment Summary
I was a licensed psychotherapist before going to law school. I had a thriving psychology practice working with families and teens to overcome addiction problems, school problems, etc. I have a Ph.D. in clinical psychology that I no longer market or practice under. My psychology license is on voluntary inactive status because I no longer practice and don't envision returning to practice at any time.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
A little knowledge is instructive; a little more is presumptive and more than that is problematic for both client and attorney. The internet is especially troubling in that a client can inform herself just enough to question bad advice, but not enough to counsel herself. The end result is conflict between client and attorney that impedes resolution between client and adversary.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
It depends on why the documents were prepared and for whom. I frequently ask clients to prepare documents that give a history of the conflict, especially the facts. I do not want a client to lay out their proposed resolution of the case because it presents an inherent challenge to the structure of the attorney/client relationship. In the end, it will cost the client more to resolve the dispute. It is a difficult proposition when someone retains an attorney to resolve a dispute that a client cannot on her own resolve, but "suggests" how the dispute might be resolved by "competent" counsel.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am aware of the "limited scope" representation and support it in very limited circumstances, e.g. evictions, dissolutions where neither custody nor division of marital assets is an issue. I believe that the practice of law is a highly specialized profession and rarely is it justified for a client to control expenses by doing some of the work herself. It is likely to result in extra work for the attorney, in the long run.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I don't know. I decided to retire from delivering psych services under a managed care system when it became impossible to control my own practice. Friends and colleagues advised me to consider going to law school because of my propensity to argue just for the sake of arguing. It was a very difficult decision. I had three small children and a wife at the time, and I had been a student for many, many years already. However, I committed myself to study the law and enjoyed every minute of it, even the late hours when I wouldn't get home until after 11:00 p.m. I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat. My best year is this year, and my best year prior to that was last year. The only downer is when you make good $ you pay $$$$$$ in taxes.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
All of it, especially that which makes you reflect on your own life experience.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
It chose me.
What do you like best about your career?
I like that my wife was able to quit her job and learn how to manage my practice. I love working for my wife.
Tell us about your law firm:
My wife is the "people" working for me. I am considering hiring another lawyer because I think I would enjoy the camaraderie.
What are your strengths and style?
I constantly get feedback from clients and referrals that I am the antithesis of an arrogant, stuffy, self-involved attorney who has nothing more in mind than what he will bill this client.
Personal Interests:
I am an avid motorcyclist who can build his own, and a guitarist who can hold his own. I am a poet who probably could have made a living using words to describe events, whether imagined, experienced, contemplated, or dreamed, but what I am most proud of has nothing to do with any of that. I have a wonderful wife and three children who wrap decency 'round their souls.
Fax
(707) 935-0366
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I offer a flat fee for Chapter 7 bankruptcies, and residential evictions. Essentially, an attorney who offers a flat fee takes the risk that a case will be more complicated than is usual and will thus lose at the end, but gambles on the case being little more than filling in forms and making appearances. The convenience is really in being able to tell prospective clients who call what it will cost to do what it is they want you to do.
Hourly Rates
New clients pay $265.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes. I don't recall cutting a client off because she has taken more time than I intended to give for a "free" consultation.
Typical Retainer
My typical retainer for a Plaintiff is $3,500. This is intended to cover investigation, research, drafting, filing and serving a civil complaint, including filing fees and costs.
Fees and costs for defending a civil suit differ. I frequently sell several hours under a "true retainer" format and the retainer is simply the number of hours anticipated to get it done multiplied by the fee per hour.
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.
