Real Estate Law · Title · Closings
Cornerstone Real Estate Law handles residential and commercial closings, title, landlord-tenant matters, zoning, and development contracts. Every file is partner-led - from the first contract review through recording.
What we handle
Six disciplines, handled by a firm that knows real estate law from the deed to the zoning board. Most clients engage us across several - because property questions rarely stay in one lane.
From contract review to keys in hand, we guide buyers and sellers through every step of the residential closing, clear title, and protect what is often the largest transaction of your life.
Acquisition, disposition, leasing, and financing of commercial property - negotiated and documented with precision so your investment rests on solid legal ground from day one.
Whether you manage a single rental or a portfolio, we draft airtight leases, navigate disputes, and handle evictions with the care and speed your investment demands.
Before you build, buy, or develop, know what the land will allow. We research zoning classifications, pursue variances, and navigate permitting with the local knowledge that makes the difference.
A properly structured exchange can defer substantial capital-gains liability. We qualify your exchange, coordinate with your qualified intermediary, and ensure strict timeline compliance.
We draft and negotiate construction agreements that protect owners and developers throughout the build, from groundbreaking through final certificate of occupancy.
Our approach
Cornerstone was founded on a straightforward premise: that real estate transactions are too consequential to be processed like paperwork. Every closing represents a major financial decision - often the largest one a client will ever make. We treat it accordingly.
We are a small firm by design. That means you always know who your attorney is, you can reach them directly, and they know the details of your file without needing to be briefed by a paralegal first.
Meet the attorneysEvery question we ask and every clause we draft is oriented toward one goal: a clean, smooth transaction that holds up long after closing.
We do not pass a clouded title. If there is a defect - lien, encumbrance, or break in chain - we find it, resolve it, and document the cure before you close.
You will not be handed to an associate. A founding partner is actively involved in each file, from intake through closing and recording.
We know the municipalities we serve - the variance timelines, the planning board tendencies, and the language that approvals require.
For standard residential closings and document reviews, we quote a flat fee upfront. No hourly surprises at the table.
The attorneys
A senior team without the overhead of a large firm. When you call, the attorney on your file is the one who picks up.
Founding Partner
Founded Cornerstone on the belief that every real estate client deserves direct, experienced counsel - not a delegation chain.
Senior Real Estate Counsel
Leads commercial transaction work, from complex multi-site acquisitions to development financing and joint venture structure.
Closing and Title Attorney
Manages the residential closing practice with a focus on title integrity, buyer education, and closing-day precision.
Land Use and Zoning Counsel
Guides property owners and developers through zoning, permitting, and land-use approval across the region.
Illustrative concept team for a fictional brand. Not real attorneys or bar members.
How we work
A deliberate, four-stage approach - so there are no surprises at the table and no loose ends in the public record.
We review your purchase contract, flag any legal risk, and give you a plain-language picture of what to expect - before a single deadline begins to tick.
We order and analyze a full title search, resolve any encumbrances, and confirm the chain of ownership is clean and fully insurable.
Every deed, mortgage, affidavit, and closing disclosure is prepared, cross-checked, and delivered to all parties with time to review before the table.
We attend or coordinate the closing, confirm funds, and promptly record the deed and mortgage so your ownership is on the public record.
Client perspectives
We were first-time buyers and had no idea what half the documents meant. Margaret walked us through every one of them. We left the closing table actually understanding what we had just signed.
David caught a zoning conflict during due diligence that our broker had missed entirely. That single discovery saved us from acquiring a property we could not have used as intended.
The lease Cornerstone drafted has held through two tenant disputes without any ambiguity. Investing in the right document upfront is worth far more than the cost.
Composite, illustrative perspectives for a concept brand. Not actual client statements.
Resources
Common questions
The questions most clients ask first. If yours is not here, a brief call will sort it out.
Schedule a consultationYour agent negotiates price and terms; your attorney reviews contracts for legal risk, clears title, and protects your interests at closing. The roles do not overlap. In many states, attorney involvement is required by law, and even where it is not, it is strongly advisable for any transaction of meaningful value.
A title search examines public records to confirm the seller has the legal right to transfer the property and that there are no outstanding liens, judgments, or ownership disputes. If you close on a defective title, those problems become yours. We identify and resolve them before that happens.
Title insurance protects against claims arising from defects that a search may not surface - prior forgeries, undisclosed heirs, or clerical errors in public records. We recommend it for virtually every purchase. Most lenders require a lender's policy as a condition of financing; we recommend an owner's policy as well.
As early as possible - ideally when you go under contract, not the week before closing. Title searches take time, and defects can require additional time to resolve. Contacting us early gives us the runway to do thorough work without compressing your schedule or risking the transaction.
A variance allows a property owner to use land in a way the current zoning code would not otherwise permit. The process involves an application, public notice, and a hearing before the local zoning board. We prepare and present the full application and represent you at the hearing.
Tell us about your transaction or question. We will review the details and give you a clear picture of what the process involves and how we can help - no obligation, no hourly clock running.