Practice Areas And Fees

I have been involved in virtually all areas of the law involving horses. That has included: purchasing farms; purchase and sale agreements for horses; boarding contracts; breeding agreements, and ; partnerships and co-ownership agreements.

I represent people who want to preserve their land by using conservation easements, agricultural easements, or by selling to a conservation buyer. I help families explore their options for preserving their land in conjunction with their future goals. I also represent people who want to purchase land that is already preserved or they wish to preserve. 

Along with conservation work, I represent clients as they buy and sell  farms as well as residential and commercial real estate. In addition, I work with landlords and tenants handling commercial and residential leases.

I negotiate employment contracts and severance agreements for employees. I have worked with employees of multinational companies, as well as small businesses and start-ups.

I work with individuals and families and help guide them as they plan for the future. I prepare wills and trusts that are suited to a clients' needs and wishes. I also help clients create health care power attorney and living wills.

As a mediator, I work with families to resolve issues around trusts and estates and with issues around land and conservation easements. 

I advise people as they set up and operate businesses, whether it is a farm operation, a retail store, or a small financial advisory firm.

• Represent trustees as they sell a unique residential property.

• Represent trustees as they subdivide and sell a significant conservation property to 

   neighbors.

• Advise a client on the purchase of a show horse and help structure the terms of the

   agreement with the horse's new trainer.

• Help a family create a family foundation and receive 501 (c)(3) designation from the IRS.

• Represent a horse owner as they deal with someone who defaulted on a lease for their 

   horse.

• Advise a church as they move from being part of a denomination to being independent.

• Negotiate for a church as they buy property to establish a satellite location and advise

   them to be certain they receive appropriate tax exemptions.
 

I believe that it is important to visit a client’s business or property, if possible. By doing that I am able to better understand what is at stake in any transaction. I find I am better able to advise and advocate for clients if I have visited them, especially if real estate or horses are involved. It is also more convenient for some clients to meet with me at their home or office rather than have them visit me.

In some cases, legal work is predictable and a budget is easily prepared. In other circumstances, it is difficult to foresee what will occur. As a result, I am willing to work with clients to create a fee arrangement that meets both of our requirements. The arrangement may take into account the time involved; the difficulty, complexity and risk of the work, and the value of the particular result. The possibilities include an hourly rate, a flat fee, or a reduced rate plus a percentage of the value of the transaction.