James H Cleary

Nearby LawyersNew JerseyBergen CountyRutherfordKip Avenue

Open Hours:

Monday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday, Closed
Sunday, Closed

James H Cleary Introduce

Welcome to the "Nearby Lawyers" platform, your local resource for connecting with legal professionals in Rutherford, New Jersey. Today, we provide an objective overview of James H Cleary, an attorney with an office located at 71 Kip Ave. Based on publicly available customer reviews, experiences with this attorney appear to be significantly varied, with one highly negative account contrasting with a brief positive comment that includes a caveat about fees. This introduction aims to present a balanced perspective to help local users make informed decisions.

Location and Environment:

The Law Office of James H Cleary is situated on Kip Avenue in Rutherford, NJ. This location likely provides accessibility for residents of Rutherford and surrounding areas. However, no specific details about the office environment are available in the provided reviews. Typically, law offices aim to maintain a professional setting for client consultations. Local users may wish to contact the office directly to inquire about the consultation process and the office environment.

Services Offered:

One detailed review describes the client's experience with James H Cleary for a first-time home purchase, specifically a one-bedroom co-op. This strongly suggests that Mr. Cleary offers legal services related to real estate transactions. The review details issues encountered during the contract negotiation and attorney review phases of a home purchase. The other review, while brief, also mentions Mr. Cleary in a context that implies real estate matters ("wonderful lawyer, wonderful man"). Therefore, based on the available information, it can be concluded that James H Cleary provides legal services pertaining to real estate law in New Jersey.

It is important to note that the reviews do not provide information about other potential areas of law Mr. Cleary might practice. Local users with legal needs outside of real estate should contact his office directly to inquire about his expertise in other fields.

Features and Approach - Based on Customer Reviews:

The provided customer reviews paint a starkly contrasting picture of James H Cleary's features and approach. One review details a highly negative experience, citing numerous significant issues:

  • Lack of Attention to Detail: The client alleges that Mr. Cleary failed to include basic home inspection language in the initial contract, a provision described as "customary and basic" by other professionals.
  • Resistance to Client Input: When the client raised concerns about the missing provision, Mr. Cleary reportedly dismissed it and incorrectly communicated the client's requests to the seller, potentially jeopardizing the deal.
  • Inefficiency and Lack of Urgency: The attorney review process for a one-bedroom co-op allegedly took three weeks under Mr. Cleary, with the client having to take the initiative to obtain necessary documents that the attorney should have procured. The client's new lawyer reportedly made more progress in two days than Mr. Cleary did in nearly a month.
  • Poor Communication and Rudeness: The reviewer claims that Mr. Cleary hung up on them and yelled rudely when they sought updates on their case.
  • Condescending Demeanor: The client described Mr. Cleary as rude and condescending throughout their interactions.
  • Lack of Preparation: Mr. Cleary allegedly showed a lack of familiarity with the seller's response and a key provision regarding appliance condition.
  • Overbooking and Unresponsiveness: The client reports Mr. Cleary frequently stating he was "swamped" and failing to respond to multiple emails expressing urgent concerns.
  • Dismissive Attitude: When the client expressed concerns about potentially losing the property due to delays, Mr. Cleary allegedly responded with a dismissive "Yeah, you could."
  • Significant Errors: The client's new attorney reportedly found that the contract drafted by Mr. Cleary was missing pages and had to be redone entirely.

This detailed negative review raises serious concerns about Mr. Cleary's professionalism, attention to detail, communication skills, and overall client service.

In contrast, the other review offers a positive sentiment ("Wonderful lawyer, wonderful man") but immediately caveats it with a warning about up-front fees for telephone consultations and such, noting that "they don't come cheap." This suggests that while this client had a positive overall impression, the fee structure for communication outside of standard meetings might be a consideration for potential clients.

Given the significant discrepancy between these two reviews, local users considering James H Cleary should proceed with caution and conduct thorough due diligence.

Promotional Information and Call to Action:

James H Cleary can be contacted at (201) 939-3444 or their mobile number +1 201-939-3444. Their office is located at 71 Kip Ave, Rutherford, NJ 07070, USA. If you are a local user in need of real estate legal services in Rutherford, you may consider contacting Mr. Cleary's office. However, given the serious allegations in one of the provided reviews, it is strongly recommended that you:

  • Inquire specifically about their processes for contract drafting and review, particularly regarding standard protective clauses for buyers.
  • Discuss their communication policies and fee structure for all forms of communication, including phone calls and emails, upfront.
  • Seek references from other recent clients, specifically those involved in real estate transactions similar to your own.
  • Consider consulting with multiple attorneys in the Rutherford area before making a final decision to ensure you find representation that aligns with your needs and expectations for service and communication.

As a user of the "Nearby Lawyers" platform, you have access to information that can help you make informed choices. The contrasting feedback regarding James H Cleary highlights the importance of considering all available information and conducting your own thorough evaluation before engaging any legal professional.

In conclusion, James H Cleary in Rutherford, NJ, appears to focus on real estate law. While one reviewer offered a positive general sentiment with a caveat about consultation fees, another provided a detailed account of a highly negative experience involving alleged lack of attention to detail, poor communication, inefficiency, and significant errors. Local users considering Mr. Cleary's services should carefully weigh this information, ask detailed questions about their specific needs and the firm's practices, and consider seeking additional opinions before making a decision.

Location

Customer Reviews

(3 reviews)

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Nathan Hale
Jun 30, 2020

Good Lord. Where do I begin. I went to this man on recommendation from a friend of mine. This is is for a first time home purchase. I was wholly unimpressed with literally every interaction I had with this attorney. Let me count the ways: 1. He did not place incredibly basic home inspection language into the contract, which is leading to me about to accept a property without any basic protections. I raised this issue to him at the day I signed, and he not only did not add the provision, but he also told the seller I already wanted certain items fixed, which could have killed the deal instantly. 2. When I further pressed him to add this provision, he said he has "never heard of such language in my life". I found this language instantly on a Google search and everyone - every single person - I have been in contact with tells me that this language is customary and basic. 3. Before finally firing Cleary, he had me in three WEEKS of attorney review. For a 1 bedroom co op. He showed absolutely no urgency in retrieving the necessary documents. I called him one week and he told me we are waiting on pertinent info, and I had to call the building management for him. A task I am paying HIM to do! After my quick phone call, Cleary had the documents within the day. Cleary never should have let it reach this long. My new lawyer got further in 2 days than Cleary did in nearly a month. It's his fault and he is responsible. 4. When I tried to call him for advice and asked him for an update, he hung up on me and yelled at me rudely. I literally asked him when I can expect an update, and he hung up on me. 5. Quite frankly, he was rude and condescending throughout our entire interaction all month long. 6. When I brought up the provision the seller put in for "appliances to be in working order on date of signing", rather than closing, Cleary had literally no idea what I was talking about. He clearly had not even read the rider or seller's response. 7. He constantly says he is "swamped". I'm a paying client too! Don't overbook yourself! 8. I have sent this man multiple emails, clearly angry, asking for him to actually do something to move along my deal and he doesn't even reply. 9. When I expressed my anger at how slow he is moving, and said that I could lose this property over this, he responded "Yeah, you could." 10. After going to my new, responsive, much better attorney, they told me that they couldn't believe he created a contract that literally had pages missing out of it. They had to do it again from scratch! I literally am in awe that he could be this bad. A horrible experience from the moment I met him. STAY AWAY!

R
Ron Micci
Oct 12, 2020

Wonderful lawyer, wonderful man. But get the up-front about fees for telephone consults and such, they don't come cheap.

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Ron Micci
Oct 12, 2020

Wonderful lawyer, wonderful man. But get the up-front about fees for telephone consults and such, they don't come cheap.

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Kathleen Acosta
Sep 30, 2019

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Kathleen Acosta
Sep 30, 2019