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Gerald Barry Dorfman
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Biography
I am responsible for all matters handled by my office. Paralegals, law clerks and associates may be utilized in appropriate situations, but the buck stops with me. Intentionally remaining small has enabled me to continue to provide unparalleled personal attention and confidentiality. My clients are the reason I am here, and I work hard for the best results possible. I am honored by the trust placed in me, and strive to maintain it at the highest level. You are entitled to understand the law applicable to your matter and the options available, as well as my best advice. I have served hundreds of satisfied clients over the years and look forward to continuing to serve with determination, skill and integrity.
Practice Areas
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Arbitration & Mediation
- Business - Arbitration/Mediation, Consumer - Arbitration/Mediation, Family - Arbitration/Mediation
- Appeals & Appellate
- Civil Appeals, Federal Appeals
- Elder Law
- Landlord Tenant
- Evictions, Housing Discrimination, Landlord Rights, Rent Control, Tenants' Rights
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
Additional Practice Area
- Litigation
Fees
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Credit Cards Accepted
Through PayPal and Venmo. -
Contingent Fees
Contingency fees range from 15% to 45%. These apply to personal injury cases, and select other matters. -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Regular hourly rate is $450.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- California
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- 9th Circuit
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Education
- Columbia University
- B.A.
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- UC Law SF
- Law Degree
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Awards
- Lead Counsel Rated
- Lead Counsel
- Lead Counsel Rated
- Lead Counsel
- Lead Counsel Rated
- Lead Counsel
- Lead Counsel Rated
- Lead Counsel
- Lead Counsel Rated
- Lead Counsel
Professional Associations
- California State Bar # 107581
- Member
- - Current
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Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Dorfman Law Office
Legal Answers
571 Questions Answered
- Q. My mother and her husband died, am I supposed to pay for the mortgage because I am the only one living at the house?
- A: Speak with a probate/trust attorney. There are too many facts missing from your question for it to be answered accurately in this forum. For instance, how is title held to the house? Is it in a trust? It may be that the house has to go through probate; if so, it may be a while before it can be sold. If it is in a trust, the trustee may be able to sell it faster. In either case, the trustee or the executor/administrator will have a say in the amount you will need to pay to stay in the house pending the sale. Whoever will be handling the trust or estate should hire an attorney, who will be paid by the trust or estate. If you want to fully understand the position you are in and the options, ... Read More
- Q. Is it “illegal” for a landlord to continue taking rent payments without signing a new lease ???
- A: No, it is not illegal. First, your original 2016 lease very likely states that at the ens of the lease, if the tenancy continues, it will be month to month. Second, even if the lease did not say so, by paying monthly, and the landlord accepting the payments, a month to month tenancy was implied.
- Q. Both my ex and me are on the lease, if I put my 30 day notice, am I still liable if he doesn’t move out?
- A: Assuming you are "on the lease" as co-tenants, then you have the right to terminate your co-tenancy on proper written notice under Civil Code Section 1946, and would normally have no liability for rent, etc. accruing after the termination date. See Schmitt v. Felix (1958) 157 Cal.App.2d 642. Of course, you are still on the hook for damages which occur before the 30 days expire, so documenting the condition of the premises may be an issue.
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