Real Estate

I will accept cases from those who need me and who I can help.

• Architectural & Engineering
• Broker & Transaction Litigation
• Building Codes
• Buying & Selling
• Condemnation
• Condominiums & Cooperatives
• Construction Contracts
• Construction Defects
• Construction Financing
• Conveyancing
• Eminent Domain
• Homeowners' Associations
• Insurance
• Land Contracts
• Land Use & Zoning
• Mechanics' Liens
• Mortgages
• Property Taxes
• Real Estate Loans
• Renting & Leasing
• Title Insurance
• Title Litigation
• Landlord
• Tenant
• Tenants' Rights

• Architectural & Engineering
• Broker & Transaction Litigation
• Building Codes
• Buying & Selling
• Condemnation
• Condominiums & Cooperatives
• Construction Contracts
• Construction Defects
• Construction Financing
• Conveyancing
• Eminent Domain
• Homeowners' Associations
• Insurance
• Land Contracts
• Land Use & Zoning
• Mechanics' Liens
• Mortgages
• Property Taxes
• Real Estate Loans
• Renting & Leasing
• Title Insurance
• Title Litigation
• Landlord
• Tenant
• Tenants' Rights

Business Law

I will accept cases from those who need me and who I can help.

• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

• Commercial Banks & Loans
• Commercial Leasing
• Mortgages & Foreclosures

• Business Successions
• Buying & Selling
• Closely Held Businesses
• Corporations
• Directors' & Officers' Liability
• Joint Ventures
• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
• Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures
• Partnerships

• Breach of Contract
• Contract Disputes
• Contract Drafting & Review
• Employment Contracts
• Non-Compete Contracts
• Secured Transactions
• Uniform Commercial Code
• Warranties

• Commercial Construction Contracts
• Construction Defects
• Construction Disputes
• Dangerous Property
• Mechanics' Liens

• Film

• Debt Collection/Relief/Harassment

Government & Environment

I will accept cases from those who need me and who I can help.

• Hearings & Adjudication
• Investigations
• Regulatory Enforcement
• Rulemaking

• Freedom of Speech

• Hydroelectricity

• Clean Air
• Dumping & Disposing
• Hazardous Waste
• Permits
• Regulatory Compliance & Auditing
• Solid Waste
• Water Pollution
• Wetlands & Wild Lands

• Consultation
• Legal Issues Advising
• Lobbying Activities

• Fisheries & Wildlife
• Logging & Timber
• Water & Riparian Rights

• Land Use & Zoning

• Trucking

WA, Jun 2000
Bar Number: 30019

Washington State Courts.

The Washington Bar.

I attend seminars in areas of law I hope will benefit my clients and cover areas of law that I find interesting.

I handled a successful appeal regarding a homeowner's association that closed one of the access roads cutting off my clients during periodic flooding. We were successful in overturning the decision.

I have had a number of adverse possession cases on both sides. One case involved a family that wanted to start a daycare service. After researching the licensing requirements, they found they had to have a fenced yard. When they fenced their backyard, the next-door neighbor sued to prevent blocking a potential access to their own backyard across a shared driveway. The Court agreed with my clients and allowed the fence to remain and the new business to start.

Timber trespass is when someone cuts down a tree, or trees, that are not his or hers. I have handled a number of timber trespass cases. The facts of each case are always different, but usually a neighbor cuts down trees accidentally or on purpose and when the trespass is discovered, the dispute begins. I try to explain the situation to my client and the possible outcomes. Usually there is a settlement and or replacement trees, sometimes insurance is involved.

I regularly help business owners sell their businesses and help people buy businesses. The largest transaction was more than $15 million and took almost a year. Subsequent issues carried on after the sale for the new owners.

Small businesses and start-ups are something I deal with on a daily basis. I offer a substantial discount for new businesses.

I also counsel clients with day-to-day issues and help them find help if I am not able to address the issues.

1

Washington

I started as a solo lawyer in 2000 and I am still surviving. Cases accepted in: Real Estate, Land Use, Environmental Law, Business, Commercial law, Contracts, and Collections.

I started in the Washington Army National Guard as a combat engineer, and then worked in the private sector as a heavy equipment operator. After receiving a degree in civil engineering, I continued in heavy construction until I was injured on the job. I then received my Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Policy and Assessment. During that time I worked as an intern for a local Port Authority in the environmental compliance section. During law school I worked as an intern in the County Prosecutor's office in civil division working on Land Use and Environmental cases.

(360) 376-3213

Monday through Friday
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I am generally available by telephone or e-mail. Bellingham office by appointment only.

Yes

Bellingham, WA
1111 West Holly Street
Bellingham, WA 98225

I always consult with clients by telephone or email at no cost to help them give me all the details of their case and new updates and developments as they occur.

Fees may be calculated using some or all of the following methods:
Flat fee: Single fee for a single issue (i.e., Wills $500 minimum, Deeds $500, Letter $220)
Hourly rate: Billed monthly for services. $220 per hour (HEARINGS $250 to $1,500)
Blended hourly rate: Specialty rate, standard or reduced rate
Flat fee plus hourly
Hourly plus contingency
Retainer: Complete fee paid in advance, held in trust as billable hours accumulate monthly, then transferred to my account
Retainer deposit against future services: Cost paid in advance, monthly statement
Unit fee: Per transaction or service (Real Estate sale $600 minimum)
$500 special trip without notice fee
$150 planned trip fee
$500 weekend trip fee

All clients shall sign a fee agreement and pay before work commences.

All fees are due when billed. If you have a court appearance, hearing or need a document drafted all fees must be paid prior to work commencing.

There is a monthly $25 rebilling fee on all remaining balances.

Payment arrangements in advance only.
Client service exchanges:
1. Services in furtherance of case, to reduce charges (client does preliminary casework).
2. Services instead of payment. Mutual agreement and valuation (example trade for car, boat, construction services, etc.).
BASIC FEES
1. $220 per hour or per page drafted
2. $250 minimum for meetings
3. $500 special trip fee (no notice)
4. $150 planned travel fee (one week notice)
5. $25 rebilling fee on any balance due over 30 days

MINIMUM LITIGATION FEES
1. $1,500 District Court Summons and Complaint
2. $2,500 Superior Court Summons and Complaint
3. $2,500 minimum deposit for interrogatories and answers thereto
4. $500 minimum deposition plus costs
5. $1,500 per day during litigation
6. $1,500 answer to a summons and complaint
7. $50 notice of appearance
8. $500 surcharge accepting case via withdrawal and substitution
9. $350 Contested Traffic hearing, (includes discovery)

TRANSACTIONAL FEES
1. $500 deeds for real property
2. $1,500 minimum LLC agreement, more for special provisions
3. $1,500 construction liens, (up to but not including foreclosure)
4. $220 per hour for negotiations
5. $500 minimum for purchase and sale agreements, contracts, and leases
6. $500 homeowners meetings (first two hours included)
7. $200 letters (includes redrafts)

$220.

Yes, for as long as it takes to hear the story.

No.