I am a Unit Owner of a Homeowners Association that refuses to abide by its own governing documents and refuses to abide by the Davis-Stirling Act. I contacted MBK Chapman to help me to enforce the rights of myself and other Unit Owners. The time I spent with Senior Associate Attorney Sam Khil working on a solution was very productive. If you need help dealing with an HOA "board from hell" I suggest contacting MBK Chapman. read more

I cannot recommend MBK Chapman PC and Sam highly enough. When faced with a complex, high-stakes real estate and insurance dispute, Sam provided exactly the tactical guidance and expertise I needed to navigate the situation. What stood out to me immediately was Sam's transparency. He was very upfront about the situation and even gave me the opportunity to step away rather than pay the initial fee if I didn't believe his involvement was necessary. I told him directly that I understood what I was paying for: professional legal advice, experience, and the peace of mind that comes from having someone qualified assess the situation correctly. That interaction alone told me a lot about the type of attorney I was dealing with. His sharp, clinical assessment of the issues, attention to the bigger picture, and proactive guidance gave me the confidence to protect my interests while navigating an extremely complicated situation. Just as importantly, his counsel gave my family tremendous peace of mind throughout the process. Sam is a consummate professional who looks at the entire chessboard rather than simply reacting to the issue immediately in front of him. His ability to identify risk, establish clear legal boundaries, and think several moves ahead was invaluable. If you need exceptional real estate litigation counsel in California, I cannot recommend Sam and MBK Chapman PC highly enough. read more

They had the review taken down, So it goes. They should volunteer their time. Playing the client is not the route to have confidence in the Firm. read more

Do not do business with this law firm. They advertise a book called "HOA Hell", but they are the HOA Attorneys from Hell". Based on our experience, the firm did not provide the timely, evidence-based advocacy they advertise. Communications frequently focused on statements from the opposing side (gossip) rather than a careful discussion of the documents and facts we supplied (And we supplied many evidentiary documents). We also encountered avoidable problems with document handling: a request did not specify PDF format, and the records arrived as HTML files that could not be readily saved, requiring us to capture individual receipts by screenshot and making the accounting review more difficult. We retained the firm to address our HOA's failure to manage and maintain property that was in severe disrepair, including boarded-up buildings. Michael Kushner didn't seem to know what we hired him to do. I had to press for an intake from a senior partner because Attorney Sara Etemadi declined to conduct an intake; document review was never discussed with us and may have never been done, and the firm's communications often were attacking us rather than focused on advancing our concerns. The firm ultimately withdrew from what we believed was a straightforward failure-to-maintain matter, and we were left with fees we had understood would be paid for out of the retainer we deposited with the firm. The firm withdrew after I complained and declined to speak in a submissive manner as required by Michael Kushner before he would continue listening to my complaint. Many of the documents from the opposition were missing, and Attorney Etemadi never addressed the missing documents with the opposition. Our retainer was substantially consumed by email exchanges without the promised brief the firm agreed to write, nor was a request for mediation made. There was no review of the evidence (and if a review was made, no discussion of the evidence was conducted with us) that we submitted, nor of the documents they received from the opposition. For these reasons, I would not recommend MBK Chapman and especially their Junior Attorney Sara Etemadi for this type of matter. Do Not Hire This Law Firm. We intend to seek all action available to us for the return of our fees. Michael Kushner also made sexist comments to me to speak with him under his submissive conditions, or he would not speak to me. I am a businesswoman and a Veteran. His comment was offensive. He would not listen to our complaints. He interrupted before I finished a comment. We are seniors and veterans, and if they treat us in this vulgar, disrespectful, unprofessional, threatening, and unethical manner, imagine what they will do to you. read more

So far, I've only spoken to Trish, OMG she's amazing-if I didn't need help desperately I'd still hope to meet Trish. I love when service agents can "read-the-room". If they can't my case, I absolutely understand. So clearly I'm already raving about MBK because if the attorneys are as professional and receptive as Trish, say less! I'm shocked at how affordable, at least, the cost for initial consultation is. I am so emotional to finally get to speak to someone that may be able to help me through this nightmare and not have to send my kids out to help pay. LOL... at this point with the malfeasance of my HOA, and my attempt at litigating in pro per, I don't know how much more I can survive and I'm sure this is where ever opposing party want's their opponents to be. read more

What fantastic service! My family and I reached out to receive advice on liability (a leak in the HOA's exterior wall led to mold in my unit), and Sam Khil provided a remarkably detailed breakdown of everything we needed to know. We had questions as well, and he was able to respond with off-the-cuff citations of specific codices. He remained patient and helpful when certain elements were confusing to us, and even went thirty minutes long at no extra charge! I know his schedule must not always allow for such generosity. Still, the fact that he chooses to offer that when he can only serves to demonstrate how committed he is to providing the best possible care for his clients and potential clients. He was very clear about costs as well, offering refreshingly honest evaluations of our potential needs, benefits, and fees. The entire company seems very well run, providing thorough expertise in their area of focus. Should my family and I ever need to engage a lawyer in a more extended capacity, we will definitely be choosing MBK Chapman! read more

MBK Chapman is the place to go if you're a homeowner and are having issues with your HOA. My case was pretty crazy. For over two years, my monthly assessment had increased without ever receiving notices. On top of that, they were charging me late fees each month also without any notices. In my initial consultation with Sara, we covered a lot of procedures my HOA had failed to do. All I did was write them an email with the legal language she provided me with, and the problem was automatically solved. The HOA knew they had messed up. But we were certainly ready to move forward with sending them a legal letter. In my case we didn't have to go that far. But just from my consultation, I was sure it was never going to go far either way. She was incredibly knowledgeable of the law and procedures! I highly recommend them! read more

The staff at MBK are helpful and honest. They have steller customer service and Jessica, the attorney we worked with, was very helpful. She knows her stuff. She was attentive, not pushy or arrogant and made an effort to give us suggestions to get us started in our efforts to respond to our legal matter. read more

I spoke with Michael and his team today regarding our commercial building. We have a professional medical space and have complex construction within the building. Our initial evaluation of the case was highly complex and thorough. He brings amazing professional insight and has already made multiple recommendations to help us resolve a problem with my best interest in mind. The communication with office staff was easy and smooth with clear sharing of electronic files. The receptionist, his scheduler, and the attorneys are professional in their clear communications. Their fee schedule is comparable to high end law offices. Their skill in resolving our case and helping to save us time and money cannot be emphasized enough read more

The service and commitment that Michael and MBK Chapman brought to the table is unmatched. Our son needed and MBK was there to fight the good fight. Amazing communication, professional approach, and undying commitment through the process. Again thank you for helping our son and us. read more

Sadly, I'm seeing a few recent negative reviews. I've had the (un)fortunate luck of finding and retaining MBK Chapman since 10/21...and still going. I've got a (now at times comical) situation that they have been helping me with for a while. I've worked with Mr. Zar, Ms. Grazul, and Mr. Boss and have been nothing but pleased with communication, direction, advice, promptness, and above all feeling like I'm in very competent hands. read more

I contacted this office for a consultation call, which they set up for me quickly. They called right on time and Sara was very helpful. She listened to all of my concerns, reviewed the relevant documents with me and her advice was incredibly helpful. I hope to not need to resolve this matter in court but Sara will be my first call if I do. read more

Payed for a consult , was told I had a solid case then got ghosted. I was told I would here back from Pam by Monday it been 10 days!!!! Just as bad as the HOA!!!!! Beware!!!!! read more

Customer relations need to be improved. Only communicates via email. Cost me a small fortune and basically got nothing in return. They criticized me for complaining about assigned lawyer. All invoices were on email and I was never told about their communication restrictions. read more

This was a terrible experience. First off, I filled out the necessary intake forms, inc the cc they needed, with pictures and emailed back. I got three calls from their office saying they didn't have it, couldn't find it. I called back and said we can sort thru when I get there as I am busy and can't look up charges on my cc and don't want to be charged twice.Then , I got there, the receptionist was rude and disrespectful. I filled out the necessary payment page cc again. Then I was informed the payment went to a different email, etc. After waiting 28 min, the attorney came in, in a plaid shirt and proceeded to tell me I was late. I gave him THEIR form that said 3:30 , not 3 pm and he rudely didn't look at it. He said we were going to "strategize". I politely said I want him to write a letter to the HOA, since myself and witnesses disagree with their assessment. Clearly they drag out the time, costing me money. They were disorganized, rude, taking advantage of me and imcompetent, DO NOT GO THERE. read more

MBK firm is most knowledgeable when HOAs have overstepped their bounds and violated the Davis-Stirling Act. They can provide the guidance and advocacy you need to protect your rights. read more

Did nothing to help me just kept the egg boiling and asked for more money one star cause I had too

The team at MBK Chapman is very knowledgeable and helpful! They really care about your issues.

In the midst of the pandemic, my disabled mom and I were unexpectedly thrust from my condo to live in a hotel while I fought my HOA to repair a water intrusion caused by the HOA's neglect. I hired MBK Chapman. Michael Zar, my assigned attorney, quickly grasped the facts and provided feasible strategies (in layman's terms). Mr. Zar was proactive and relentless in handling an extremely unprofessional HOA. Additionally, the staff at MBK were responsive, courteous and competent. My dispute resolved and I returned to my home two weeks before Thanksgiving 2021 because of the skillfulness of MBK. I am forever grateful! Would I hire MBK again regarding an HOA dispute? ABSOLUTELY! And, if needed I recommend that you do, too! read more

We have used Michael Kushner on several occasions for our company at Excel Restoration. We have received great results from his hard work. Very professional and experienced. He is now our corporate attorney, and he consults us on all legal matters. We highly recommend MBK Chapman PC. read more

Let me just start with everyone at MBK Chapman goes above and beyond. And they exceed your expectations. From the first phone call you make to MBK Chapman, you are greeted by the nicest person. From the moment she said hello, Connie made me feel like I was in the right place. Within the hour, I received a phone call from Dale. Talking to Dale, I was 100% sure I had found the law firm I was looking for. It was remarkable the time Dale spent with me to understand every detail of my situation and case. I never felt rushed. And I felt she was genuinely interested in understanding my case. I was actually amazed by how many notes she took. And I really felt that she had taken the time to understand what my problem was and how their firm could help me. After talking to Dale, I really felt that peace of mind I was looking for. Ms. Lawsin is Mr. Kushner's paralegal and the office manager. She is a delight to work with. She always goes above and beyond to make sure MBK Chapman clients are well taken care of. If you ask her any questions or have concerns, she addresses it right away. She is amazing! Extremely knowledgeable, always accessible, always kind and courteous, always has your best interest in mind, always ready to help. Meeting with Michael Kushner for our initial one hour strategy meeting...from the moment he said hello, it was clear he had already read all the notes on my case. That is rare. I was very impressed. He was basically able to summarize every last detail of my situation, which saved me a lot of time and money. Because I had so many things to say, I didn't know where to begin. And it would've taken me a lot more time to summarize all the details of my case to him. It was a relief to me, that he already completely understood my situation, and therefore, we could move forward quickly and he proceeded to inform me of how he could help me, and how to execute the direction appropriately. It was a very productive 1 hour strategy meeting. Meaning he knew exactly what to cover in a limited amount of time. He literally covered every important thing you could possibly want to know and need to know about your case. Mr. Kushner and the firm are very conscientious, fair and honest about their client's time and money/fees. Mr. Kushner is one of the most brilliant minds. And I feel relieved and have that peace of mind to have him as my lawyer, to have him on my side and to look out for my interests. Mr. Kushner is so easy to talk to. He's the kind of smart that makes hard things easy to understand. If you're like me, and feel like you have so many questions, rest assured, any question he could just answer on the spot. Mr. Kushner is also very compassionate and understanding of what his clients (for example, myself) are going through, and how stressful it can be to have water intrusion into your house. It must be satisfying to help people with these matters (water intrusion, leaks, HOA). Mr. Kushner's HOA expertise is unmatched. Mr. Kushner and the entire firm's attention to detail is exquisite/flawless craftsmanship. It's a comforting feeling to know someone so knowledgeable about the law, has your interest in mind. And the whole firm makes you feel well taken care of. Look no further than Mr. Kushner and MBK Chapman...Rest assured, you've found the Gold Standard. read more

I purchased my first home and shortly after, discovered it had foundational issues. Unaware of how to navigate the issue, I looked for an attorney to pursue the seller for failure to disclose known defects. Most attorneys I spoke with tried to talk me out of pursuing my rights, stating that I had little chance of succeeding. But then, I found Sara Etemadi who became my attorney. Ms. Etemadi was extremely knowledgeable and an exceptional advocate. She guided me through the entire process and was a force to be reckoned with. Ultimately, Ms. Etemadi achieved the resolution I was hoping and praying for and all without going to court. I am eternally grateful to Ms. Etemadi and would highly recommend her and MBK Chapman, they have an outstanding law practice and they will make it happen for you! read more

Although Michael K. took the time to respond to my review no one from his office has responded to the initial email sent. As someone who works in the legal field as well I know how important communication is with a client. I can not take the chance to retain this firm if they can not take the time to respond to email requesting their assistance. read more

MBK Chapman is far and above the best. They are extremely knowledgable and are worth every penny. They have helped our business and personal through many legal questions. read more

Michael Kushner and his firm were really helpful with some of my HOA issues. He helped me resolve multiple disputes with the HOA including unfounded fines, harassement, selective enforcement and more. He also conseiller me with other ventures I have. He also helped multiple of my neighbors with the same type of issues. I will continue to use their service and I highly recommend him for any legal counsel. read more

Thank you Mr. Kushner and team for handling my equine business contracts. Your swift response and attention to the details of my business are greatly appreciated! I highly recommend your firm to anyone in need of legal services. Excellent, professional services each time i called with questions. read more

I am so grateful for the representation from MBK Chapman. With one simple demand letter the problem was rectified. They are wonderful to have in your corner! read more

$10,000 of my money for 5 months and I'm still waiting. The worst company I've ever met. They tell you what you want to hear and after they get your money there are no phone calls from th'em. My initial consultation was with Sara Etemadi. She asked for $10,000 to get started on the case.After I paid them a $10,000 retainer, every time I called, the office manager kept saying the attorney would call and no one Did for over a month. The attorney who was finally assigned to the case was Jason Boss. I had 6 scheduled telephonic appointments with him that were canceled by Jason Boss minutes before the scheduled time. When we finally spoke to Jason Boss, he mumbled some things in which I told him it has nothing to do with our case, then he panicked and while I was still on the phone he send me a bill via email. He then said Sara Etemadi was going to call with more information. She never did. I called back and she pretended she didn't know anything about it and got Michael Kushner on the phone who said "I conduct my business the way I see fit " and then hung up the phone. They don't answer any of my calls, I wrote them letters asking for my retainer back. It's been 5 months and I haven't gotten any response from them. Michael Kushner, Jason Boss, and Sara Etemadi are all crooks. Don't get fooled by their initial review of your case. It's never what they say, they change it around as they see fit. They think they are above the law, they take your money and they abandon you. I'm still waiting. Hermina G read more

If I could give negative stars I would. Totally disappointed in the performance of MBK Chapman. My attorney (Ms Dukes) charged 80.00 to reply to an email with "reply coming". Their goal is to blow through your retainer so they can get another. She drug my case out to the bitter end and then asked for another 3500.00. She provided no advise or solution to my complaint. She only asked for more money. In the end, they did nothing but cause problems and delays. If you need a Pitt Bull call someone else. This company is a sloth! Ms Dukes being the old crippled sloth that needs oxygen and more money to move beyond an email. Save your money - of course "in my opinion". read more

I needed legal consultation for an ongoing dispute I have been having with a HOA. From my preliminary conversations with Ms. Dale Motley through my hour-long consultation with Michael Zar, I could not be happier with the service I received. Mr Zar was extremely knowledgeable in the area of HOA law, and gave me exactly the information and advice I needed. His friendliness and sense of humor made for a very enjoyable meeting. read more

I paid $375 for an initial consult and was told it would be a strategy meeting, (any documents should be sent prior to the meeting). So I sent the background documents with specific questions. I figured $375 would be worth it if it allowed me to make a decision whether or not to pursue the matter any further. The assigned attorney had not read the background information, could not answer the questions and told me I would need to sign a retainer to do research in order to answer my questions. It was a complete waste of time and money. I can't comment about how good or bad they would be as attorneys, only they would be very expensive. They also have offices in Florida. I would not recommend read more

I live in Texas and didn't know who to contact to help me navigate my way through some legal issues with my property in California. Michael Kushner was recommended to me by a friend. What a find! Mr. Kushner handled an extremely stressful situation and solved everything with ease. He lifted a heavy burden from off my shoulders, took charge of the situation, and I am so pleased with the outcome. I just wanted to say thank you for your expertise and a job well done. read more

Cannot recommend this business and attorney Sara Etemadi enough. We were in an emergency situation -- a week in on a 30 day escrow -- and someone in our villa community claimed we had remodeled without HOA approval. The HOA board had changed since we remodeled and in the month prior to escrow they had changed management companies. Nobody knew which end was up but us. We immediately sent off a ton of documentation proving we had all approvals and involvement from the HOA. The HOA's new management company and attorney then sent us a very aggressive letter trying to bully us into signing a letter of indemnification for all the work done -- with approval -- and wanted to charge us almost $1000 to write the letter and to try to attach it to our title! There is nothing in our CC&Rs to warrant anything of this nature or magnitude. We felt we needed someone to represent our interests. Sara jumped in and pointed out all the documentation we had to demonstrate approval and further pointed out , the statute of limitations had expired for any requests on their part. ( The HOA attorney must have hoped we would not know that.) There was only one contingency in our escrow -- that the HOA fix the balcony deck which our CC&R's clearly define as their responsibility. It took them over 2 weeks to finally give us the letter but Sara kept after them letting them know that they were interfering with an escrow which could have very expensive ramifications for them. She resolved everything in short order and escrow is about to close on time. Thank you Sara!! read more

Three months ago I hired Ms. Etemadi to help with removing an easement on my property. The neighborhood HOA which controls the easement want it removed as well as it cost my HOA to maintain my property. When we first spoke I was told that this is a pretty straightforward process, especially if the HOA wants to work with me. In three months Ms. Etemadi has generated nothing other than bills to slowly deplete my account. Now it's been 3 months I can't reverse the charges on my credit card and I am basically out $3500 for nothing. Now they want me to deposit another $2500 to continue my. case when I was told that $3500 would cover all costs. Over a month ago I had to write her to ask if she is taking my case seriously to which she apologized and explained how someone else's case was more important than mine but soon she will do something on my case which she did, she generated another bill for $450. As a business owner myself I am appalled on the lack of professionalism this law firm has displayed. The sad thing is that the senior lawyers should be holding regular case load meetings with her to make sure she manages her case load better, sadly they are not helping this young attorney. read more