Berkeley Parents Network: Landlord/Tenant Lawyers

Berkeley Parents Network

Landlord/Tenant Lawyers

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > Legal & Financial Services > Landlord/Tenant Lawyers

Related pages: Being a Landlord and Advice about Renting

July 2004

Hello - I am looking for updated recommendations on attorneys specializing in landlord / tenant disputes. The recommendations on the network are from 1999. Thanks for your help! Jane

There is a law firm in Oakland called Fitzgerald Abbott & Beardsley and they do landlord/tenant disputes. It's a very well-respected firm with great attorneys. They've been around for a million years
av

Your message doesn't specify whether you are a landlord or tenant. Many attorneys specialize in one side or the other. If you are a tenant having a problem with your landlord, I suggest you call Robert DeVries at (415) 546-5100. He is very experienced in tenant representation. Ann

I'd highly recommend Jeffrey Carter in downtown Berkeley for landlord/tenant disputes. His office number is 510-548-4774.

Here are some recommendations for landlord/tenant matters:

Stewart Schwartz - 510-548-8585 - Does property owner disputes 
and may do landlord/tenant disputes
Zona Sage - 510-420-1410 - does tenant side - usually big cases
Leah Hess - 510-451-3103 - tenant side
Sally Elkington - 510-601-0404 - tenant side
Ron Wong - 510841-9664 - landlord side

Amy

I recommend Michael St. John. He's actually a mediator, not a lawyer but he was very helpful to us in negotiating a tenant/landlord problem. He took a measured, realistic, ''win- win'' approach. We ended up paying our tenant to vacate. She got a good chunk of money and we got to move into the unit. I think everyone was satisfied. He's a long-time Berkeley resident and very knowledgeable about rent control. Phone number for St. John Associates is 510 845-8928 happy dweller

August 1999

Would like referrals to lawyers experienced in assisting with renter's rights in Berkeley (specifically eviction).

I hope you have been to the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. There are very specific "just causes" for eviction in Berkeley, and the rent board can determine if the causes apply in your case. The number of evictions in Berkeley has *tripled" this year because of the new vacancy decontrol regulation! Becky

I'd like to recommend Bill Simpich 444-0226 in Oakland. I used him for a lawsuit against a landlord and settled to my satisfaction. He is a great negotiater. He often seems to be very busy but, in the end, worth it I found.

Another good tenant attorney is Sally Elkington on Telegraph in Berkeley, located next to Mama Bears. Her number is 601-0404. Good luck. Dylyn

My husband, Timothy Rumberger, is an excellent tenant's rights attorney with ten years experience practicing in Berkeley. He is always busy, but I know he would be willing to discuss any questions you may have about your eviction or any affirmative claims you may have against your landlord. It may take him a while to get back to you just now. We have a two-month old and we're still not getting much sleep. His number is 510-841-5500 and his office is at Center & Shattuck in Downtown Berkeley.

Berkeley Community Law Center works with tenants who qualify for free services due to income. I am sure that they can rec. a good lawyer if your income disqualifies you from receiving free services. The berkeley rent board may also be able to rec. a good lawyer. Jeremiah

I would also like to recommend a very good, experienced tenants' rights attorney, Phil Rapier (who's also a very nice person). His number is 510-444-6262. He graduated from Boalt Law School in 1983. He may, however, be on vacation right now. Karen

There's only one who is the best and most reasonably priced: for 30 years everyone knows that's Jeff Carter in Berkeley. I founded the Berkeley Tenants Union and I've known him since '69. I get no benefit from this rec. He's just the sweetest and smartest guy. I won't even tell him I posted this. We're friends because of our parenting.

Oct 1998

In response to your quest for a landlord/tenant lawyer, check out KALW's (National Public Radio) "Call a Lawyer Night" this coming Wednesday evening, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.

The guests will be lawyers specialized in landlord/tenant issues and the program host encourages callers to ask questions. This program is usually quite good in leading you to connect with the appropriate people. Good luck! Marie-Josee

You can try reading up on your situation in the Nolo Press books regarding tenant's/landlord's rights. I found them at my local library, and someone told me they are also online. Diana

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