SPOTLIGHT ON: McFarlin & Geurts LLP

Timothy McFarlin is a Partner at McFarlin & Geurts, a firm with expertise in a variety of practice areas including real estate law, bankruptcy and reorganizations, business litigation, consumer law and mortgage litigation.  I’ve gotten to know Tim pretty well, and I’d recommend him to anyone.

Tim McFarlin has previously worked for the Honorable Christopher M. Klein, Chief US Bankruptcy Court Judge, Eastern District of California as a judicial extern. Additionally, Mr. McFarlin also worked for Charles W. Daff, Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee in the Central District of California, in areas of law related to Business Law, Consumer Bankruptcy, Commercial Bankruptcy, and Foreclosures. Mr. McFarlin maintains a strong working relationship with Chapter 7 Trustees as well as the US Trustee.

He is admitted to practice law before all Superior and Federal Courts in the State of California including the Southern District of California, Central District of California, Northern District of California, and Eastern District of California.

Tim has been a speaker at Orange County Bar Association Events, Real Estate Division, related to foreclosures, mortgage litigation and short sales, and is a member of the Orange County Bar Association as well as the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. He’s also been cited and quoted by USA Today, and a variety of local publications such as the Orange County Register on topics related to bankruptcy and foreclosure.

He graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) with a B.A. degree in Economics, with an emphasis in Accounting. Mr. McFarlin received his J.D. from the University of California at Davis (King Hall). Mr. McFarlin focused specifically on bankruptcy, litigation, and business law.

HERE’S WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT HOW THE FIRM VIEWS ITS CLIENTS… AND I LIKE A LOT:

We all know that life is unpredictable, and circumstances often arise which prevent you from meeting the demands of creditors. We are not here to pass judgment on you, or question your integrity, we are legal and real estate professionals who will diligently analyze your individual financial situation and find you a realistic solution which meets your objectives.

For many clients, that means keeping them in their home at any cost, for others it means eliminating the burden of unreasonable mortgage payments and preserving credit. There simply is not one right solution for everyone, and no one can tell you what is right for you without thoroughly analyzing your financial situation. We understand the mortgage industry from years of experience, we don’t try to fit you into a “program,” we design the program for you.

I had lunch with Tim about a week ago.

He impressed me as the kind of person who knows his field very, very well. He’s confident, but he’s very caring, very easy to talk to, and he really listens. He’s also not hard to get a hold of, which is always nice when you’re worried about something and need to ask a question.  I’ve asked around and Tim’s known as one of the very best there is.

He looks young… to me at least, but that’s not saying much… everyone is starting to look young to me, and Tim looks like he’s in his early to mid-thirties. Plus, he’s one of those incredibly healthy eaters, you know the kind that get the vegie protein plate with brown rice and a side of tofu juice… but that doesn’t make him a bad person. I ordered a cheeseburger and fries and he didn’t shun me.  The way he eats he could be 40 and just doesn’t age.

During lunch, we talked economics and politics and he kept up with me, so he’s double sharp because I’m sorry, but not just anyone can.  But we also talked about how his firm approaches loan modification work with lenders and servicers on behalf of homeowners. I have to tell you… I was very impressed and I’m not easily impressed. He knew a few tricks of the trade that I hadn’t come across before and I’m absolutely certain that his firm will do a good job on whatever it is they’re working on.

They do charge a retainer, as do all law firms, so I see nothing unusual about this.  Professionals always require a retainer in advance of doing the actual work and I understand why. It’s because they don’t know how long it will take or how much work will be required and along the way payroll needs to be paid. It’s not like you’re buying a couch. You’re buying a professional’s time, so it’s reasonable that they shouldn’t have to chase you around when payday comes around.

I like Tim McFarlin a great deal, and I wouldn’t hesitate for a second hiring him to help me with my own loan modification.  In fact, we’ve become friends and I’d call him in a second if I needed help.  He and I may even do some publishing together in the future.

His firm has two locations, listed below and a toll-free number that you can call to find out more: 888-728-0044, which answers between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, which is also nice.  I’ve referred quite a few clients to him and they all have called to thank me.

You can visit his firm online at: http://www.mcfarlinlaw.com

Irvine Office:
McFarlin & Geurts
4 Park Plaza
Suite 1025
Irvine, CA 92614

Los Angeles Office:
McFarlin & Geurts
11500 Olympic Blvd.
Suite 400
Los Angeles, CA 90064

And feel free to use my name… tell him you heard that Mandelman said he was impressed.

Just say “no thank you” if he offers to share his lunch.  Trust me.