Attorney Fails to Provide Adequate Assistance to Client in Commercial Real Estate Acquisition
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Case Overview
This case involves a defendant who was representing the plaintiff in purchasing property for her business in Minnesota. The property was integral to the ongoing viability of the plaintiff’s business, which is legally confined to very select locations. The company was able to continue at the same location because it was grandfathered in by virtue of being at the premises for an extended period of time. After renting the property for a number of years, the plaintiff wished to purchase the property, and hired the defendant to act as her representative and attorney for the purchase of the property. The plaintiff purchased the property pursuant to a contract for deed. However, the deed contained a clause that the property was subject to “any right of first refusal to purchase the property that seller has granted prior to the date of this agreement”. A right to refusal had been granted to a company to purchase the property. The attorney in deviation from his duties owing to his client (plaintiff negligently informed the plaintiff that he need not worry about the right of first refusal, and that the property would be sold to plaintiff despite the right. Shortly thereafter, the trust owning the building sold the property to a company pursuant to the right of first refusal. Litigation ensued and plaintiff lost the right to purchase the property. It was alleged that plaintiff will be deprived of the only suitable location for her business, and will be forced to close down the business.
Questions to the Law expert and their responses
Do you have extensive experience reviewing similar legal malpractice matters?
I have defended numerous legal malpractice cases and I have testified both for and against attorneys in malpractice cases.
Do you have extensive knowledge of the right of first refusal?
I have extensive experience in all aspects of real estate law. I have worked with rights of refusal on many occasions, though I have not specifically testified about them.
About the expert
This expert has 28+ years of experience in real estate law, and consults often with other attorneys, insurers, developers, and individuals with respect to real estate issues. Having earned his JD from Wake Forest University and earning the distinction of a Specialist in Real Property Law, he is comfortable working on legal malpractice issues in the real estate field.

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About the author
Joseph O'Neill
Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.
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