Free Real Estate Law?

Brief Synopsis of our Founder:

This site is the result of a lifetime of work in real estate transactions and law. Charles grew up in Alaska, became a real estate agent and associate broker before coming to Washington to attend Gonzaga University School of Law. Licensed in 1986, Charles practiced law with a primary emphasis in real estate for almost 20 years. After a career of negotiating and handling thousands of real estate transactions and real estate litigation, Charles now limits his legal representation to a small number of clients, and also represents clients as a real estate broker in buying and selling residential and commercial properties. Charles also teaches seminars for real estate investors, and helps clients with their asset protection, business planning, and estate planning.

Not-So-Brief-Synopsis (and more than you want to to know):

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION
University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska
Major - Economics, Bachelor of Arts, 1976
Minor - Education w/Teaching Certificate (1979),

LEGAL EDUCATION
Gonzaga School of Law, Spokane, Washington, Juris Doctor - May 1985. Admitted to Washington, Bar May 1986

LAW EXPERIENCE
Private law practice in Washington since 1986 with a four year stint as a JAG in the USAF. My private practice focused on real estate (with some time in estate planning, probate, litigation, and business development). I have advised thousands of real estate and business owners, investors, developers, builders, and Brokers. I’ve also been intimately involved with an international technology company. I have created many businesses, their structures and long-term strategic development.


I have litigated issues around the state, drafted numerous contracts, and resolved hundreds of disputes amicably and through arbitration. Credentials have also included Certified Estate Planner, Registered Investment Advisor (Series 7 and Series 66) and licensed in insurance and certified in long-term care.

REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE:

  • Real Estate Negotiations (100’s of transactions)
  • Drafted 100’s of Purchase & Sale Agreements, Amendments, Notes and Deeds of Trust, Real
    Estate Contracts, Commercial Purchase & Sale Agreements, Residential and Commercial
    Leases, D/T Foreclosures, R.E. Contract Forfeitures
  • Regular Review of Appraisals, Loan Packages, Title Reports
  • Worked extensively with Surveyors, Appraisers, Loan Officers
  • Advised, Taught/Trained Real Estate Investors
  • Analysis/Interpretation of Title Defects
  • Purchase of Property as Principal for Undisclosed Agents
  • Purchase of an entire residential City block of many houses for a hospital as Nominee
  • Worked with county and state governments on many aspects of property development, wet
    lands, easements, condemnation, and private/public water systems and sewer/septic
    systems
  • Worked with numerous county planning offices and hearing examiners
  • Attended public county/state hearings and represented clients at both
  • Personally closed 100’s of real estate transactions as an escrow agent (Attorney)
  • Have been an advisor to escrow agents, title officers, and Realtors (including many Brokers)
    Have been involved in property condemnations, adverse possessions, and easements by
    prescription (have both resolved cases amicably and litigated others)
  • Have worked with and represented homeowners’ associations
  • Have done many public presentations and talks on real estate issues
  • Have personally managed properties and advised residential and commercial landlords
  • Have handled commercial (and residential) evictions
  • Have personally put together complete loan packages on residential transactions
  • Have advised clients on real property tax issues
  • Have been an advisor to real estate developers
  • Have litigated many real property disputes, including specific performance, adverse
    possession easement by prescription, boundary disputes, Purchase & Sale Agreement
    disputes, lease disputes, evictions, foreclosures, bankruptcy reliefs from stay, condemnation,
    partnership disputes, probates involving real estate, warranty of title claims, builder disputes,
    and liens.


-May 1, 1991 to January 1993 - Area Defense Counsel, Nellis Air Force Base, USAF
-Feb. 1989 to May 1, 1991 - Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, Nellis AFB, USAF. Positions included:  Government Prosecutor, Chief of Claims, Chief of Legal Assistance, Chief of Preventive Law.

AWARDS/RIBBONS: Training Ribbon, Outstanding Unit Award, Achievement Medal, Commendation Medal, Expert Marksman Ribbon, National Defense Ribbon. Plaque for Outstanding Performance as a Judge Advocate. Quote from Commendation Medal, “His management skills and determination were matched by his precision as a trial advocate.”