Resovled (fingers crossed) Need RECENT recommendation for real estate lawyer

Back story in case you want it:  About two years ago we sold my grandmother's home and used a local attorney, who out of sheer politeness I won't name here.  At that time he was on point.  Did a GREAT job.  Responded to emails, kept us in the loop, was proactive in getting needed information.  I recommended him a few times here on MOL.  Now we're selling our Maplewood residence, I wanted to use him again since he was so good last time.  The best I can say is that maybe he's distracted by something.

I emailed him that I wanted him to represent me, so he asked for the contract.  I emailed the contract, never heard received a single reply.  Since this sale is between us and a friend of the family and we were pretty much in agreement on everything, I didn't think much of his lack of reply.  I later emailed him a question, specifically that the house had been purchased solely in my name before marriage, but my husband and I married one year after I purchased it, so for 15 of the 16 years that we owned the home was as a married couple, and should my husband be on the sale contract since he has a dower interest even though he technically isn't on the deed.  It doesn't matter to me either way, but I didn't want a paperwork snafu to tie up the closing at the last minute.  This is a direct question that a real estate lawyer should answer, but I never received a reply.  I emailed a few questions regarding open permits on the home (he helped us with that with my grandmother's home), no response.  I emailed asking about some fee or another that I couldn't recall the name of that you don't have to pay if the home was your primary residence for at least 3 of the past 5 years, since this was the case, no answer.

Looking back, I have only received two emails from him.  One in response to my asking him to represent me at closing, which he replied that I should send him a copy of the contract.  The second email from him was his saying he wasn't able to get the other lawyer on the phone.  That's it, two emails, and NONE responded to any of my questions.

I've gotten him on the phone twice, both times he seemed in a hurry to get me off the phone.

The buyer is trying to get the deposit to him via FedEx.  No one was in the office to sign for it on Monday, I emailed him on Monday and also sent him the tracking number.  No response.  I didn't panic since I know FedEx will redeliver and stupidly ASSumed he was counting on the redelivery, which was why he didn't respond to my email.  Nope, today again it was "business closed."  I called him, he said they should "just slide it under the door."  I explained that the buyer sent it requiring a signature (I don't blame her, I would have done the same) and that FedEx couldn't just do that.  I had to explain this to him TWICE.  He then said to have them show up Saturday at 10:30 since he should be there then.  I can't call FedEx and make an appointment for them to deliver something at exactly 10:30 on Saturday.  

Unless I have unrealistic expectations of a real estate attorney, I really think I should get someone new, and fast.  But as this is now the SECOND time that an attorney who was once great turned to crap a few years later (the first one was an elder care attorney... another long story) I don't want recommendations from anyone who did a closing a few years ago.  


tl;dr  Please recommend a local real estate attorney for a closing that you did business with recently, preferably within the last six months or so, a year at the most. 



Anyone?

Reading older threads (which I'm wary of for the previously posted reasons) Irwin Semel keeps coming up.  However, I currently live an hour away, so having to drive out there to sign paperwork and other things that could normally be handled electronically gives me pause.

This wouldn't even be a complicated closing, we're actually under contract so I don't need a lawyer for attorney review.  This sale is to a friend of the family and we are in agreement on everything, including the repairs from the inspection report.  I literally want someone to just to make sure all the financials of the closing documents are in order so I don't make some potentially expensive mistakes (real estate transfer tax, and other things I probably don't even know about since I'm not a real estate lawyer).


I would still go with Irwin.  Just Fed Ex the paperwork.  He is very responsive and is not a 9-5 guy.  He has called me in the evening and on a Sunday just to expedite the closing for me.


Have not used him but have heard nothing but good things about Mr, Semel.  He does not use a computer but manages his business well.   His work is meticulous  and you would want him in your corner.  Also he has done more than one kindness for a friend who has seen better days.   He comes squarely down on the side of the angels.


Perseverance said:
Check your messages.

 Hi..............checked and have nothing new listed in a few months. Maybe your message did not go through.

I  am at wjdunsavage @yahoo,com.    I outed myself long ago and the police are no longer after me


Irwin is great.  He's not a computer guy, so correspondence is by phone and FedEx, and you will have to make the drive to his office once in order to complete the closing.  But totally worth it in my opinion.  He's done 2 transactions for me.  



Irwin.  He put our lawyer to shame.  


I work with many local RE attorneys on a regular basis. I love Lisa Breen, Terri Nitti and John Lubenesky (montclair). All are very responsive and capable. And have email. lol


I went with Irwin Semel based solely on the number of positive reviews.  The email thing is an inconvenience, but since we’re not doing contract negotiations or anything like that (sale is to a friend of the family and we actually did all the negotiations and worked out the nuts and bolts awhile back), and he’s mainly needed just for the final paperwork, I’m willing to deal with it.  If this were a normal sale where he was needed for attorney review and also to negotiate the inspection report, I would definitely think twice before agreeing to work with someone who didn’t use email





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