3 answers
Grayson
Student
Whitmore Lake, Michigan
15
Questions
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How can I become a real estate lawyer??
#real-estate #lawyer
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3 answers
Job Hall
Real Estate Manager
112
Answers
Reno, Nevada
Updated
Job’s Answer
I am a retired real estate, construction defect and land use attorney. One of the problems with trying to determine which hfield of law you will end up in is many times not what you desired. It depends on how badly you need a job out of law school, and your contacts in the industry.
My advice would be to either try to find a full or part time job in either a real estate law firm as a clerk or administrative assistant, making the firm aware that you intend on majoring in real estate in law school. This will teach you the terminology used in the industry and introduce you to the legal filings used in real estate. In th event that you can start at the bottom of a firm, once you have completed your first year, and the firm has agreed to hire you over the summer or during law school your responsibilities willl increase and you will gain real world experience as to what the attorneys do on a daily basis and they will increase your knowledge of the workings of law suits and issues involved in real estate law.
If that is not an option I would advise trying to get into either a real estate investment company or large property management company, making it clear that you intend in going to law school to major in real estate, and do the same work up the ladder as you gain knowledge and experience.
Real estate law covers many aspects. There are: real estate transactions, real estate fraud, construction defects, land use, taxation, environmental issues, takings, condemnation, rental agreements and evictions, title issues, financing, contracts for sale of property as well as construction, maintenance and management, right of ways, easements, home owners associations and foreclosures. I am sure I have missed a few, but as you can see real estate law has many areas to work in.
I left wall street as a broker at 23 to go to law school. I studied real estate, land use and taxation. I was going for the money, as large real estate projects (office buildings, shopping centers) are heavily reliant on the tax benefits allowed in real estate development. I finally became a large residential developer, rezoning land for large residential projects, placing all the improvements in the ground, grading the property, putting in streets and then building the homes or appartment units. I was one of the best land use attorneys in my area and was building 250 homes and 500-750 appartments a year. My legal knowledge was very helpful, but I went on to own a heavy equipment company to do all the dirt work and place the utilities under ground myself. I went on to open a mine on a major river in a feferally protected area.
Real estate law can be very prfitable if you are interested in that aspect. My advice is to either work in a law firm or real estate company to learn the many aspects of the practice and then try to specialize in an area you are interested in.
My advice would be to either try to find a full or part time job in either a real estate law firm as a clerk or administrative assistant, making the firm aware that you intend on majoring in real estate in law school. This will teach you the terminology used in the industry and introduce you to the legal filings used in real estate. In th event that you can start at the bottom of a firm, once you have completed your first year, and the firm has agreed to hire you over the summer or during law school your responsibilities willl increase and you will gain real world experience as to what the attorneys do on a daily basis and they will increase your knowledge of the workings of law suits and issues involved in real estate law.
If that is not an option I would advise trying to get into either a real estate investment company or large property management company, making it clear that you intend in going to law school to major in real estate, and do the same work up the ladder as you gain knowledge and experience.
Real estate law covers many aspects. There are: real estate transactions, real estate fraud, construction defects, land use, taxation, environmental issues, takings, condemnation, rental agreements and evictions, title issues, financing, contracts for sale of property as well as construction, maintenance and management, right of ways, easements, home owners associations and foreclosures. I am sure I have missed a few, but as you can see real estate law has many areas to work in.
I left wall street as a broker at 23 to go to law school. I studied real estate, land use and taxation. I was going for the money, as large real estate projects (office buildings, shopping centers) are heavily reliant on the tax benefits allowed in real estate development. I finally became a large residential developer, rezoning land for large residential projects, placing all the improvements in the ground, grading the property, putting in streets and then building the homes or appartment units. I was one of the best land use attorneys in my area and was building 250 homes and 500-750 appartments a year. My legal knowledge was very helpful, but I went on to own a heavy equipment company to do all the dirt work and place the utilities under ground myself. I went on to open a mine on a major river in a feferally protected area.
Real estate law can be very prfitable if you are interested in that aspect. My advice is to either work in a law firm or real estate company to learn the many aspects of the practice and then try to specialize in an area you are interested in.
William C. Hanson, SIOR
Commercial Real Estate Brokerage
3
Answers
Mahwah, New Jersey
Updated
William C.’s Answer
Real estate law is a specific practice. I would suggest finding someone who specializes in the field and getting an internship or into a mentoring program with them.
Many firms that are in business law have real estate practice groups.
Many firms that are in business law have real estate practice groups.
Thank you so much!!
Grayson
Jenna Zebrowski, JD, MBA
Bilingual JD/MBA with compliance and regulatory experience and real estate (leasing and franchise) expertise
135
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Jenna’s Answer
As a real estate attorney, I can tell you how I did it. After graduation from law school, I interviewed for a position with a large company that needed attorneys to work in the real estate area. I moved to different companies to get experience in franchising, mortgage, title and residential real estate, and started my own practice two years ago. I work with companies and individuals to draft and negotiate documents and to prevent disputes, and to solve disputes if they arise.
I recommend that after you finish law school, interview specifically for positions that are with companies that have a lot of physical property, which will give you a lot of opportunities to be exposed to the different areas of real estate. You can also look for non-lawyer positions or internships or clerkships with companies that handle real estate to learn more what it's like and what a lawyer's role might be.
I recommend that after you finish law school, interview specifically for positions that are with companies that have a lot of physical property, which will give you a lot of opportunities to be exposed to the different areas of real estate. You can also look for non-lawyer positions or internships or clerkships with companies that handle real estate to learn more what it's like and what a lawyer's role might be.
Thank you so much!!
Grayson