Testimonials
These testimonials or endorsements do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your legal matter.
"Dear Jeff,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Congregation Kol Shofar, thank you very, very much for your absolutely stellar pro bono assistance in bringing our lease negotiations with the Osher Marin JCC Southern Marin Pre School to fruition. The JCC furnished a comprehensive addendum of items that ran many pages beyond the length of your basic lease template and you dutifully worked through their myriad issues with our negotiating team in a succession of conference calls. Your responsiveness was fantastic - you made yourself virtually instantly available whenever needed and you dispatched changes at every iteration, supremely quickly.
There was a very pressing critical path which backdropped the negotiations - the JCC simply had to get into their premises to prepare for the school year, by August 1. You obliged that tight timing, and you were undeterred - even despite a succession of vacations which took various key players from the scene for a week or two at a time. You simply stayed the course and made it happen.
The Southern Marin Pre School now is up and running and flourishing. Many thanks for your indispensable assist in making that happen."
In gratitude and with best wishes,
Karen Hirsch
President
Kol Shofar
"With the help of Jeff Lerman, my business partners and I launched a commercial real estate brokerage, investments, and property management company. Jeff guided us through the process of determining which legal structures to use (i.e. Corporation vs. LLC), expedited the formation of our first LLC, and laid the foundation for the associated subscription and operating agreements to serve as our templates going forward. Jeff also gave us great peace of mind in knowing that he and his team would attend to the important details of filing all the initial documents with the State, yet teach us how to handle important compliance matters in the future on our own.
It was particularly refreshing to have the additional benefit of Jeff's business perspective when advising on specific language that we used in the Subscription / Operating / Purchase Agreements. For example - he reviewed our Private Placement Memorandum for the equity syndication to ensure that the interests of both the sponsors and the investors were aligned. Jeff's ability to provide balance and perspective on both legal and business considerations makes him a real asset to our team of valued professional resources."
Douglas Twillman, CFA
Managing Member
Ovation Real Estate Partners, LLC
Greenbrae, CA
"Jeffrey Lerman's thorough knowledge of real estate law, efficiency, and understanding of critical details was instrumental in us effectively putting together a PPM for our first land development deal. This is allowed us to raise the necessary capital with accredited investors and to move forward with the project. Whenever my business partners and myself are unclear with how to navigate within the confines of the law while raising investment capital, Jeffrey Lerman is our go-to guy."
Ethan Stone
Principal of The BluProperty Group
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the effort, honesty, integrity and knowledge you provided me and my partners as we began our venture into fundraising for our new business. Having a vision is one thing, while having a road map to that vision is an entirely different story. Your honest insight provided us with that map. Raising private capital can be an extremely daunting task, especially when one is calling upon friends, family and close associates for investment. The professionalism and candidness with which you advised us set us completely at ease (or, at as much ease as possible when opening a new business!) Although we came to you with a solid foundation of business ownership, we desperately needed someone to help us prioritize our fundraising efforts and foresee any potential roadblocks and opportunities. You provided that support every step of the way, from providing all the necessary documents to following up on the most minute detail of a sentence; we truly felt "covered" by you and your staff.
Our fundraising is almost complete and we grow more excited each day as we get closer and closer to realizing our business vision. I do not believe that we would be this close to a successful opening without your assistance. Thank you so very much. It is my honor to recommend you and your staff to any new business owner."
Best,
Nicolas Pommier
Fitwize 4 Kids
"I have a number of investment properties myself, and have been knowing that I need to get this LLC thing handled. I did a little investigation and the cost [of setting up multiple LLCs] just seemed to be getting away from me a little bit - as well as the complexity, so I never did anything about it. Then we had Jeff do a seminar for my office [on the series LLC] and I knew right after it was over. I went up to him and said sign me up. It was all very easy, and I've let Jeff's firm do all the work. They just sent me stuff to look at, sign and approve, and we have brief conversations from time to time. I must say that part's been great."
Jeffrey Mishkin,
Managing Director
Marcus & Millichap
"A few months ago my family and I were denied a re modification on our home loan due to a minor technicality which was no fault of ours. Jeff, not only lent a sympathetic ear but immediately drafted a letter which was submitted to the mortgage company stating our case. Within 24 hours a new loan was prepared with even better terms than the previous modification. Jeff and Michelle advised us in a most professional manner, they are outstanding in their commitment to their clients. With warmth, friendship and a personal touch, they provide a most professional and supportive experience."
Rabbi Hillel and Chana Scop
Mill Valley, CA
"My case, by most accounts, was just about a lost cause from the very outset. You took me seriously, did not give up on me, did your best to inform me of all the obstacles without discouraging me. All your hours of research and planning did lead to exactly what I hoped for, the acquisition of a 22.5 inch strip of land.
Many, many thanks and my most sincere and best wishes for more successes in the years to come."
Elvera Ralph
Inverness, CA
"We currently have five single-family homes and a thirty-unit apartment building that we're doing a condo conversion on. Lerman Law Partners set up a Delaware Series LLC so that we could stick each of our individual assets into a Delaware Series LLC, and they were fantastic! The LLC is working really great for us! ...Every time I purchase a new property or I want to add a partner onto a particular property deal, I have all of the forms to do it myself, and it's really easy."
David Campbell,
Real Estate Investor
"I have over 40 properties--single family homes to multi-unit buildings--all over the country. I started with 14 separate LLCs. The costs were outrageous and it was time-consuming to manage. Then I met Jeff Lerman. We created a cookie-cutter system so as I bought more properties, the cost of asset protection went down significantly and the time involved in managing these entities went decreased dramatically. Not only that, but my taxes are much cheaper. I estimate over the last few years, I've saved over $100,000 in tax preparation fees alone! I love this system! "
Jeff Slayter
Managing Partner
Pivotal
"Thank you again for your prescient preparation of me, sage counsel and measured, yet volatile when needed, aggression. Eric and I are truly happy with the result."
Michael W. Kane, Ph.D., J.D.
President & CEO
KANE & COMPANY, INC.
Investment Bankers
Los Angeles, CA
"Mr. Lerman did an excellent job of evaluating a recent property deal in Napa, CA. He was fast and gave a detailed response that determined if I was going to move forward in the project. I am completely satisfied and happy with the results. He saved me over $65,000 and possible heartache down the road. I would gladly recommend him for your real estate / attorney needs."
Bruce Marinace
Real Estate Investor
San Francisco, CA
"When I have a real estate issue at interest in the future I can't imagine I'll do anything but turn to you first. Thanks again for your professionalism and excellent skills."
Rob Aseron
Real Estate Investor
Palo Alto, CA
"When it was time to purchase my first investment property, I went to Jeff Lerman. Jeff quickly showed me how to modify the standard purchase agreement with an addendum designed to protect my interests and ensure sufficient time for due diligence. With Jeff's help, I was able to make an offer that was unconditionally accepted by the sellers within 24 hours. I plan to utilize Jeff's strategy for all future investments I make." (emphasis original)
John C. Robinson
Real Estate Investor
Fairfield, CA
"Thank you for all your help. You have been such a big part in helping us to grow. We look forward to a long and profitable relationship!"
Robert Helms
Real estate investor
"Your work and results to date have been in my opinion exceptional!"
Arthur Morford [Note: When Mr. Morford came to this office, he was confronted with a judgment that had been obtained against him, his wife and son, even though they were represented by two lawyers in the lawsuit. We succeeded in getting the judgment set aside, getting the lawsuit dismissed as against his son (a top priority for Mr. Morford), and getting the lawsuit stayed "(or "frozen")]
"I went to Jeff on a referral and was prepared with a list of questions. Within five minutes I knew that Jeff was the real estate attorney I wanted on my team. Jeff is not only a real estate attorney but he is also an investor and having been there, he knows the intricacies of finding and financing the deal, performing the due diligence and closing the transaction. Having been there, Jeff truly understands the art of the deal and has saved me thousands of dollar today and into the future."
Todd Squellati
Real estate investor
Fremont, CA
"I have been working with Jeff Lerman for several years. He has helped me with both litigation and transactional matters. He recently helped me sell one of my businesses in a complex stock-for-stock transaction that was worth eight figures. He is currently handling litigation for me where the amount in dispute is seven figures. Jeff understands the pros and cons in a business situation and is able to alert me about landmines that might exist. He covers all the bases, so there are no surprises. Furthermore, he is up front about everything and never misleads me. With other attorneys, you may not get the whole truth. So you get into a project and end up wasting money because the attorney wasn't truthful about all the aspects of the case. Jeff is very honest. He is also very easy to work with. Jeff has done a great job and I'm very pleased with his service."
Don Thomas
Chairman of the Board
Frequency Management Company
Irvine
"Jeff Lerman is a very smart attorney who knows his business. He does exactly what he says he will do, unlike some attorneys who make promises and then never deliver. He is also very efficient, which helps reduce the fees. I have recommended other business associates to Jeff. He gives me value-added service. And by the time we are done with a project, Jeff has made me money."
Jeffrey Tomback
Chief Executive Officer
Miller Tomback
San Francisco
"Jeff Lerman has handled both contract negotiations and litigation for my company. He is a very good negotiator upon whom I rely. He is aggressive and persistent and never lets anything get by. He is also very thorough and detail-oriented when he needs to be. At the same time, Jeff is friendly and I feel very comfortable with him. I would highly recommend him."
Michael Bennish
Managing Member
Sotello Properties, LLC
Los Angeles, CA
"I have used Jeff Lerman to handle both contract and litigation matters. He understands exactly what I am trying to accomplish. He grasps the situation. He understands quickly what I want and need. Unlike other attorneys I have worked with, I don't have to waste time educating him. I appreciate that more than anything. He's very concerned about quality control. He is quick to respond. I would feel comfortable recommending Jeff to others and have done so. Working with Jeff has been a very positive experience."
Barry Allen
Principal
International FieldWorks, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
"I wanted you to have this letter in your file and in a display to anyone you wish. Our getting together for lunch the other day reminded how innovative you were in representing me in uncovering significant cash in the Rancho Cucamonga case in which I was the Receiver. By your in-depth research and skilled communication and perseverance, I recovered a hefty sum that otherwise could have slipped away unnoticed. Thank you, and I hope that we shall have many more opportunities to work together again."
Robert Crane
President
Crane Realty
Irvine, CA
"We are commercial property investors and managers. We use Lerman & Lerman for all of our needs, from negotiating purchase and sale agreements, loan documents, broker listing agreements, and leases, to handling all of our litigation needs. They have saved us many times what we have paid them in fees through their aggressive representation. They give us practical, business-oriented advice and the results have been excellent. We cannot imagine doing business without them."
Tammy Arima
President
K.O. Investment
Los Angeles, CA
"We had six different properties in three different states with about thirty investors made up of individuals, trusts, and other entities. The attorneys at Lerman & Lerman cleaned up our title for us, which was a mess, negotiated and documented all of the sale documents and helped us every step of the way in the sale of the properties. They did a great job. I continue to use them for other matters and I would not hesitate to recommend them to others."
Robert S. Schenkman
Principal
Robert S. Schenkman Accountancy Corp.
Encino, CA
"I used Lerman & Lerman to collect a substantial judgment. The judgment debtors were being extremely evasive. Jeff Lerman collected the judgment in a very aggressive, efficient manner. I am a lawyer as well as a businessman. I used to practice law at one of the most prestigious firms in Los Angeles. I know good legal work and that is exactly what I got from Lerman & Lerman, at reasonable rates."
Gary K. Ravet
President
Adventure Travel Specialists
San Diego, CA
"In negotiating my lease for my office space, Jeff Lerman negotiated savings for me throughout my lease term that more than paid for his legal fees."
George Savage
Partner
Kallis & Savage
Pacific Palisades, CA
"I originally went to Jeff to seek some advice on a 3 million dollar development project I was putting together. Jeff gave me the information I needed to develop a professional pro-forma that I was able to give to banks and investors. This was invaluable in helping me see what the real numbers were for the project. It was also the documentation that helped me secure investors and a bank. As the project came together I went back to Jeff to form an LLC for the project. Jeff was efficient and thorough in forming the LLC and was extremely timely in making any changes. I am extremely happy and satisfied with the work that Jeff has done for me. The work was done efficiently and professionally at a reasonable cost.
Rick Mozer
Principal
MOZER CONSTRUCTION
Novato, CA"
"I just want to write a little note to say thank you and Inna for your wonderful work. Inna has added so much value to your team and she has been very dedicated to her work. She has been on top of our needs for our unfortunate situation (running out of time and possible be default on the contract.) This means a lot to us."
"We are at the last stage of closing this deal. Having your team being part of this has helped us tremendously. I personally want to say thank you and Inna. It has been a pleasure to working with you. And hopefully we will continue this adventure."
Angelo Zhao
Real Estate Investor
Foster City, CA
"I wanted to say thank you for your help in getting our deposits refunded from William Lyons Homes. All funds have been received, as indicated they would be. Thank you for your quick attention to this matter, as time was of the essence in getting it resolved. It was a pleasure working with you and we look forward to using your law firm in the future, for more constructive investment endeavors."
Sincerely,
John & Kris W.
Real Estate Investors
Lake Forest, CA
As new real estate investors, we needed help with our first deal. We called Jeff, after hearing him speak at a local investment club meeting. He went over the contract and helped us make the best decision about a potential investment we were considering. He worked very knowledgeably and efficiently to help us, and he knew exactly what had to be done in our situation. We would highly recommend him to anyone who needs a real estate attorney who looks out for your best interests! Thanks very much, Jeff!
Chuck and Linda Toqe
"Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart. You're a great lawyer... I will never forget what you've done and will make sure that your name gets around in my circle. You have restored my faith in dealing with lawyers."
Josie Pelletier
Real Estate Investor
Novato, CA
What Attorney Michelle C. Lerman's Client Have to Say...
"My financial advisor referred me to Michelle to create an estate plan, and I could not have been happier with her. She was incredibly professional, steeped in knowledge and experience, and a delight to work with. Every time I talked to her was a pleasure. And I feel so relieved that my estate plan is complete!"
--Margit Wennmachers, San Francisco, CA
"I attended one of Michelle Lerman's past Estate Planning seminars and hired her to prepare my estate plan for me. She and her staff made what could have otherwise been an overwhelming task very quick and easy. She is very friendly and was able to answer all of my questions and concerns. I would highly recommend her."
--EJK, Beverly Hills, CA
"We met with Michelle and were very pleased with our estate plan. Her Seminar was outstanding-it was very easy for us to make our decision. The heavy burden on our shoulders has eased."
--Paul and Inger Vida
After hiring other lawyers who used one size fits all estate plans and wasting a lot of money and aggravation, we met Michelle Lerman. After reviewing our trust, she completely amended it. Michelle made a completely custom trust specific to my family situation. It took time and Michelle asked many questions to insure that we had what we needed. It was not a fill in the blanks one size fits all trust.
We appreciate that Michelle stays up to date with current laws and e-mails us when there are changes.
We have such peace of mind now, and we feel grateful to have Michelle who cares as much as we do about our estate.
--Reuben and Anita Salazar
"I would like to thank Lerman Law Partners for the fabulous job they did in settling a dispute over the disposition of a seven figure estate in which I was a co-successor trustee. The resolution required expert legal knowledge in a number of areas, including estate, tax, and contract law. Michelle Lerman and her partners always treated me with the utmost respect and understanding in this complicated legal and family matter. Warm thanks go out Michelle and her team for their keen legal insight and negotiation skills."
--Matthew, Mill Valley, CA
"After being introduced to you through one of my clients, I was impressed with your professionalism and sensitivity after calling you for assistance to sort through affairs after a recent family death. I look forward to a continued professional relationship and would be proud to recommend you to any of my clients."
--John Franczak, Financial planner
"Michelle is very thorough, easy to work with and timely. Since completion of our document, we had occasion to compare our trust to two other completed living trusts prepared by other attorneys. The work that Michelle did seems to reach a higher standard. We commend her for her work and would be happy to recommend her to our friends."
--Fred B. Cherniss
"At our first meeting, it became very clear there were many considerations which we needed to understand regarding current practices and laws regarding the creation of wills and trusts conforming to our requirements. Michelle took the time to explain how our needs could be met and, for each aspect, what documents and provisions corresponded to those needs. She was patient and dedicated to ensuring our understanding."
--Stephen Fierberg
"As a partner in a local Marin CPA firm, I have worked with many estate tax attorneys in the course of working with successful and wealthy clients. I especially enjoy collaborating with Michelle because she's both technically competent and pleasant to work with. She is quite good at simplifying the complicated aspects of estate and trust law to her clients, so that they aren't intimidated or frustrated in the process of making tough decisions."
--James A. Bronstein, CPA
"When it was time to purchase my first investment property, I went to Jeff Lerman. Jeff quickly showed me how to modify the standard purchase agreement with an addendum designed to protect my interests and ensure sufficient time for due diligence. With Jeff's help, I was able to make an offer that was unconditionally accepted by the sellers within 24 hours. I plan to utilize Jeff's strategy for all future investments I make." (emphasis original)
John C. Robinson
Real Estate Investor
Fairfield, CA
"Thank you very much for your great seminar today! I really appreciate your taking time to give us an overview over estate planning from our perspective. This basic knowledge alone will save thousands of dollars in attorneys fees since now we are well prepared for the first session."
--Roland Schulz
"Very articulate and to the point. Excellent education. Fantastic work as always."
--Peter Minocha
"Congratulations Michelle on being voted #1 lawyer! I am not surprised at all. Your presentations are fabulous and you make your clients and even non-clients (i.e., Mentoring Club members) feel taken care of.
Behfar Bastani
Real Estate Investor
San Jose, CA
I attended Michelle's seminar years ago and I highly recommend her. She prepared my estate plan for me, and I feel so appreciative of all the time that she took with me. She's very knowledgeable and made it very understandable. Before attending Michelle's seminar, I had been to many other seminars on estate planning. I thought Michelle's was far superior, and I'm so glad I chose her as my estate planning attorney.
-Irene Jaquette of San Rafael
I attended one of Michelle Lerman's seminars years ago, and found the information clear and informative. After meeting with Michelle for a private consultation, she prepared my estate plan for me. Just recently, she updated it for me. I have been very happy with her services. She is nice and friendly and great to deal with, and I would highly recommend her.
-Wendy Moore of Mill Valley
Michelle: I can't imagine anyone being more understanding and responsive to [our] needs than you have been. I am truly grateful. I will contact you if anything else comes up. I also would love to work with you again someday under happier circumstances.
-R.S.
Michelle: For the first time since learning of my aunt's changes I feel truly optimistic. Over time I have had to deal with attorneys on a variety of issues. As you may imagine, this has never been a favored activity. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you have done so far, and most of all, your professionalism, knowledge and intelligence. It is easy for me to tell that you care about your work and your clients. I'm usually pretty good with words, but this is too emotional an issue to me to express exactly what I am feeling.Let's just say it makes me feel good beyond words to know I have you as my representative.
- B.I.
Dear Michelle: Thank you for your great assistance in writing my Trust. You are right; creating the Trust is a concrete act in taking control over one's life. I felt a wash of emotion coming over me about 45 minutes after signing when at that time I realized I had set in motion my intentions to provide for my family. It feels great to know this accomplishment serves our purposes for the rest of my life.
-C. Mettier
Corte Madera
