Purchasing and owning real estate in South Florida carries with it many responsibilities that require careful attention. 

Our offices represent owners, condominiums, corporate entities, investors, and others regarding various areas of real estate.

We represent our clients and provide legal advice regarding partition, foreclosure, quiet title, title disputes, lien issues, construction matters, litigation, and other areas of real estate law.

What is Real Estate / Real Property?  Real estate and Real Property is land, a house, homestead, a condominium unit or other interest/ownership that is owned by one or more persons or entities. The word Property is sometimes used although that word is general and could apply to personal property (a car, etc.) as opposed to property that is an ownership pertaining to land, which is real property/real estate. Real Estate Law, Foreclosure Law, and Community Association Law (Condominium, Homeowner's Association, Co-operative)

When is representation necessary?  The earlier the better since there are many critical components of a transaction that should be carefully reviewed with sufficient time prior to the occurrence of events or deadlines. When in doubt ask an attorney for advice.

What does representation do? Documents appear to be in a final format and may not appear to be of the nature that would allow changes to be made; however, documents can be negotiated and revised prior to signing and in some instances even after they are signed an addendum can be negotiated and agreed upon.

Who provides representation? Legal advice is provided by lawyers in a state where the transaction or real estate is located.

What is a Partition Action?  When two or more people are on a Deed / title to real property (land, a house, condominium unit, etc.) either of the owners of record may file a partition action to request that such real property be sold and divided as determined by the court.  There is not a statute of limitations generally since it is an action in equity / fairness. Some limitations apply although the scope of a right to partition isgenerally broad to enable a partition.

What is reformation of a deed?  When there is a mistake in the resulting deed the court can intervene to reform/correct the deed to restore the parties to the underlying transaction to that which should have occurred.

What is foreclosure?  Foreclosure is a court action on a lien or mortgage to real property to sell the real property as collateral to satisfy the lien or mortgage.  Defenses are sometimes raised as to standing, conditions precedent or other matters that may exist.  Strict time limitations apply.

You may call for an appointment/consultation or for more information.

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss it.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

Contact our office for a FREE CONSULTATION to discuss your condominium or community association concerns.

The duties faced by directors of a Florida condominium can often become difficult requiring time, attention and dedication.  Our clients with Florida real property issues reside in the local Florida area or outside of the State of Florida.  We assist condominiums associations, unit owners and investors with their legal issues and concerns ranging from collections to enforcement of violations of restrictive covenants and all other matters affecting each community including but not limited to:

• Amendments
• Annual meetings and Elections
• Arbitration, litigation and mediation
• Budgets and Reserves *see article herein below*
• Collections, pre-lien demands, rent, liens and foreclosures
• Collections from owners, banks and lenders following foreclosure
• Construction contracts and claims,
• Demand letters
• Denial of rental or purchase applications
• Developer and Converter representation, transition/turnover matters, warranties, construction defects and financial claims
• Fidelity / theft claims  
• Fines, fining committees, hearings on fines, and application of fines  
• Housing for Older Persons (55 and over) and
• Insurance claims
• Leasing/Rental issues
• Official records / right of access to records
• Opinion letters
• Recall ballots and meetings
• Water infiltration issues
• All other condominium-related matters.

This year, we find ourselves in a pivotal moment in time when the nation’s economy and real property values are in a critical status.  The values of homes within Florida have fluctuated tremendously with many foreclosures in the aftermath.  This in turn has left boards of directors of each association with varying levels of economic impact on their annual budgets, monitoring occupants and ownership and related work.  The first step is involvement by community members to participate with their board of directors and not to give up.

We provide full-service representation to condominiums by working with their boards of directors and management companies throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and other areas of Florida.  

Condominiums are governed by their Declaration of Condominium, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations and Amendments thereto.  It is important to also apply condominium laws and condominium case law in addition to other statutes and appeals decisions to issues that 

arise.  

Condominiums are often managed by a full-time in-house manager or a management company.  The Board of Directors meet periodically and assist the association at Special Board Meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting, Budget Meeting and Special Assessment Meetings.  Thus, the law firm representing the condominium communicates with the Board of Directors - typically the president.

We will ensure that the association remains satisfied with our services and that the Board of Directors receives fast and effective representation to make the work of the board members a simple as possible to be able to focus on administration and strategic issues.

Our office represents unit owners on a case by case basis.  Unit owners can obtain further information by calling or sending an e-mail to this office.  

Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation at (954) 589-0119 or at info@demoslaw.com

The information contained on this page and within this website is as-is without any warranty and is not to be construed as legal advice.  All persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact our office to discuss inquiries.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

ANDREW C. DEMOS, P.A.

Condominium Attorneys and Counselors

Denying access to common areas to non-paying community association owners:

There is a relatively new statute that relates to condominiums, homeowners associations ("HOA's") and cooperatives allowing denial of use of certain common areas when an owner is 90 days or more past-due.  The denial does not apply to utilities, parking spaces or elevators.  There must be notice to  the owner and any tenant and it must be imposed at a board meeting.  Other considerations and requirements apply.

Collecting rent from tenants in units that are past-due

Condominiums, HOA's and Cooperatives may demand rent from tenants in units that are past-due in their maintenance.  The condominium has the power to evict tenants failing to pay the condominium in a timely manner under the landlord/tenant statute pursuant to statute.  Certain restrictions and notice requirements apply.

Condo board members are deemed to have abandoned their position on the board

In a condominium, a director who is more than 90 days past-due in amounts to the association including assessments, fines or other amounts are deemed to have abandoned their office.  Such a delinquency does not prohibit a candidate for a director position although the financial arrears must be paid prior to an election to be a viable candidate at the time of the election.  

At a homeowner association, a board member past-due 90 or more days in any fee, fine or other monetary obligation may not serve on the board.

Permission to speak at meetings

2011 Florida statutory amendments make it clear that members are permitted to speak as to all items on an agenda at a board meeting.  This law applies to condominium, homeowners associations and cooperative associations.

Board meetings - sunshine requirements

Florida law requires that a board must conduct open meetings to the rest of the membership unless an attorney present discussing pending or proposed litigation.  A condominium or homeowners' association (but not a cooperative) may have a closed meeting regarding personnel matters without an attorney present.

Condominium and HOA responsibility for past-due maintenance on units it acquires through foreclosure of liens

A condominium and HOA is not required to pay itself as a "subsequent owner" of a unit as to units obtained through foreclosure.

Note: There are frequent changes to the Florida statutes and there are constitutionality or other challenges pending or that were pending regarding one or more of the foregoing statutes.

(954) 589-0119    info@demoslaw.com

BUDGET RESERVES

I was asked the following question: “Is it mandatory in the Condo Law for Florida to approve Budgets with Reserves?”.

Yes, the budget must include reserves for “capital expenditures and deferred maintenance”, which includes but is not limited to roof replacement, budget painting, pavement resurfacing or for other amount for which the deferred maintenance expense or replacement cost exceeds $10,000.  There is a formula to compute the amount to reserve based upon estimated remaining useful life and estimated replacement cost or deferred maintenance expense for each item.  The reserve assessments may be adjusted each year.  More details and information is set forth in The Condominium Act, Fla. Stat., s. 718.112(2) (e) and (f).

Reserves may be waived or reduced only upon vote of a majority of all nondeveloper voting interests in person or in proxy at a duly called meeting of the 

association.  

There is statutorily required information that must be stated in any proxy questions related to waiving or reducing reserves.

A copy of the budget must be delivered at least 14 days prior to a budget meeting.  An affidavit of compliance regarding proper delivery including all related provisions of The Florida Condominium Act must be filed with the condominium’s official records.  

Ask this office for a consultation regarding your budget or other questions.  

You may call for an appointment/consultation or for more information.

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss it.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

The duties faced by directors of a homeowner’s association can often become difficult requiring time, attention and dedication.  We assist communities with their legal issues and concerns ranging from collections to enforcement of violations of restrictive covenants and all other matters affecting each community including but not limited to amendments, maintaining or revitalizing restrictive covenants within the 30 year applicable time under the Marketable Title Act, review of all contracts and other legal matters affecting each community.

This year, we find ourselves in a pivotal moment in time when the nation’s economy and real property values are in a critical status.  The values of homes within Florida have fluctuated tremendously with many foreclosures in the aftermath.  This in turn has left boards of directors of each association with varying levels of economic impact on their annual budgets, monitoring occupants and ownership and related work.  

Recent Appellate Opinion Concerning Bank Foreclosures:    

There are many procedural and other limitations that pertain to each homeowner and foreclosing bank that should be carefully considered by each board of directors.  Banks and other new owners in each association must begin paying assessments upon obtaining a Certificate of Title from a foreclosure sale.  It is especially important to analyze the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions to regarding obligations of foreclosing lenders to determine amount.  

Recently, an appellate court issued an opinion that affects each homeowners association as to whether any past-due amounts of assessments, including 12 months or 1%, whichever is less, through Fla. Stat. § 720.3085(2) can be recovered from a foreclosing first mortgagee lender.  In the case of Coral Lakes Community Association, Inc. v. Busey Bank, N.A., et al., 2010 Fla. App. LEXIS 1799, *; 35 Fla. L. Weekly D 431, Case No. 2D08-5062, an appellate court refused to impose said 12 months or 1% from the foreclosing institutional first mortgage bank.  The court referenced three reasons including: (1) the mortgage pre-dated the 2008 amendment that 

specifically references the 12 months or 1% and application of the law requiring 12 months or 1% would impair the mortgage that relied upon language in the Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions that protected first mortgagee banks from past-due maintenance.  Although this opinion was rendered by an appellate court outside of the Broward County district, it applies to each community in Florida until and unless there is another opinion to the contrary.

We represent Homeowners Associations and owners regarding:

Full-service association representation;

Collections, liens and foreclosure;

All daily issues;

Opinion letters;

 Annual meetings;

Elections;

Preservation and Revitalization of covenants and restrictions;

Construction contracts and claims;          

Developer turnover disputes (construction, financial and other matters);

Mediations and mediator services;

Applications for occupancy, purchases or leases of homes;

Nuisance claims;

Violations of rules and restrictions;

Fines;

Contracts;

Revitalization of Covenants and Restrictions;

Amendments to the Covenants and Restrictions and/or By-Laws;

Recall agreements;

Arbitration;

Litigation; and

Other matters.

We will ensure that your association remains satisfied with our services and that the Board of Directors receives fast and effective representation.

Our office represents homeowners on a case by case basis.  Homeowners can obtain further information by calling or sending an e-mail to this office.  

Call or send an e-mail today for a free initial consultation at (954) 589-0119 or info@demoslaw.com

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss same.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

News and Notes - Did you Know ...

Denying access to common areas to non-paying community association owners:

There is a relatively new statute that relates to condominiums, homeowners associations ("HOA's") and cooperatives allowing denial of use of certain common areas when an owner is 90 days or more past-due.  The denial does not apply to utilities, parking spaces or elevators.  There must be notice to the owner and any tenant and it must be imposed at a board meeting.  Other considerations and requirements apply.

Collecting rent from tenants in units that are past-due

Condominiums, HOA's and Cooperatives may demand rent from tenants in units that are past-due in their maintenance.  The condominium has the power to evict tenants failing to pay the condominium in a timely manner under the landlord/tenant statute pursuant to statute.  Certain restrictions and notice requirements apply.

Condo board members are deemed to have abandoned their position on the board

In a condominium, a director who is more than 90 days past-due in amounts to the association including assessments, fines or other amounts are deemed to have abandoned their office.  Such a delinquency does not prohibit a candidate for a director position although the financial arrears must be paid prior to an election to be a viable candidate at the time of the election.  

At a homeowner association, a board member past-due 90 or more days in any fee, fine or other monetary obligation may not serve on the board.

Permission to speak at meetings

2011 Florida statutory amendments make it clear that members are permitted to speak as to all items on an agenda at a board meeting.  This law applies to condominium, homeowners associations and cooperative associations.

Board meetings - sunshine requirements

Florida law requires that a board must conduct open meetings to the rest of the membership unless an attorney present discussing pending or proposed litigation.  A condominium or homeowners' association (but not a cooperative) may have a closed meeting regarding personnel matters without an attorney present.

Condominium and HOA responsibility for past-due maintenance on units it acquires through foreclosure of liens

A condominium and HOA is not required to pay itself as a "subsequent owner" of a unit as to units obtained through foreclosure.

Note: There are frequent changes to the Florida statutes and there are constitutionality or other challenges pending or that were pending regarding one or more of the foregoing statutes.

You may call for an appointment/consultation or for more information.

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss it.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

Unlike a condominium association or a homeowners' association where members own a pro-rata share of common elements, a co-operative association is a form of ownership of a Stock Certificate with a Proprietary Lease to allow sub-leasing to or through owners of stock in the corporation that owns the building of apartments.  These forms of cluster communities were more popular in prior years and condominiums have been the common form of cluster developments for apartment building ownership and development.  The laws for co-operatives differ and are under Chapter 719, Florida Statutes.

We provide full-service representation to cooperative associations and members therein throughout Florida.  The vast majority of our office's representation pertains to community association matters.

Thus, we provide effective representation regarding:

• Association representation
• Amendments
• Litigation
• Collections
• Opinion letters
• Demand letters
•  Arbitration and mediation
• Annual meetings and Elections
• Termination of Lease and
• All other matters.

Cooperatives are governed by their Proprietary Lease, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations and Amendments thereto.  

The Board of Directors meet periodically and assist the association at Special Board Meetings in addition to the Annual Meeting, Budget Meeting and Special Assessment Meetings.  

We will ensure that the association remains satisfied with our services and that the Board of Directors receives fast and effective representation to make the work of the board members a simple as possible to be able to focus on administration and strategic issues.

Further information is available by calling or sending an e-mail to this office through the above form.  Contact our offices today to schedule a consultation at (954) 589-0119 or at info@demoslaw.com

The information contained on this page and within this website is as-is without any warranty and is not to be construed as legal advice.  All persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact our office to discuss inquiries.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

News and Notes - Did you Know ...

Denying access to common areas to non-paying community association owners:

There is a relatively new statute that relates to condominiums, homeowners associations ("HOA's") and cooperatives allowing denial of use of certain common areas when an owner is 90 days or more past-due.  The denial does not apply to utilities, parking spaces or elevators.  There must be notice to the owner and any tenant and it must be imposed at a board meeting.  Other considerations and requirements apply.

Collecting rent from tenants in units that are past-due

Condominiums, HOA's and Cooperatives may demand rent from tenants in units that are past-due in their maintenance.  The condominium has the power to evict tenants failing to pay the condominium in a timely manner under the landlord/tenant statute pursuant to statute.  Certain restrictions and notice requirements apply.

Condo board members are deemed to have abandoned their position on the board

In a condominium, a director who is more than 90 days past-due in amounts to the association including assessments, fines or other amounts are deemed to have abandoned their office.  Such a delinquency does not prohibit a candidate for a director position although the financial arrears must be paid prior to an election to be a viable candidate at the time of the election.  

At a homeowner association, a board member past-due 90 or more days in any fee, fine or other monetary obligation may not serve on the board.

Permission to speak at meetings

2011 Florida statutory amendments make it clear that members are permitted to speak as to all items on an agenda at a board meeting.  This law applies to condominium, homeowners associations and cooperative associations.

Board meetings - sunshine requirements

Florida law requires that a board must conduct open meetings to the rest of the membership unless an attorney present discussing pending or proposed litigation.  A condominium or homeowners' association (but not a cooperative) may have a closed meeting regarding personnel matters without an attorney present.

Condominium and HOA responsibility for past-due maintenance on units it acquires through foreclosure of liens

A condominium and HOA is not required to pay itself as a "subsequent owner" of a unit as to units obtained through foreclosure.

Note: There are frequent changes to the Florida statutes and there are constitutionality or You may call for an appointment/consultation or for more information.

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss it.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

Welcome to the official website for Andrew C. Demos, P.A.  We thank you for visiting our website and look forward to serving your bankruptcy legal needs.

Types of representation: individual, corporate and condominium/homeowners association representation regarding bankruptcy advice and planning; also corporate claims, proof of claim filings, relief from automatic stay with negative notice to proceed with litigation, adversary proceedings, examinations and other matters.

Chapter 7 / liquidation: this area of bankruptcy is designed to provide a "fresh start" including all unsecured debt such as credit cards.

What is a bankruptcy estate?  Generally all assets and debts of the debtor are included in the estate.  All schedules must be completed accurately and assets can be sold in a chapter 7 bankruptcy to pay creditors; sometimes negotiations can help to resolve equity in assets.

Means test: When a debtor's income is greater than the average income, an income test will help to demonstrate whether there the bankruptcy would be an abuse of the bankruptcy process.

Reasons for bankruptcy are typically liquidation (chapter 7) or reorganization (chapters 11 (corporate) and 13 (individual)) for debt management concerning judgments or other debt.

When to consult with an attorney: as early as possible and even prior to creating a debt through litigation or otherwise, advice should be sought concerning bankruptcy matters.  It is better not to wait until the last minute to avoid surprises and losses through garnishment, etc.

Meeting of Creditors - who usually attends?  Typically in a chapter 7 bankruptcy the debtor attends the 341 Meeting of Creditors with an attorney at which time the Trustee for the court asks recorded questions concerning the bankruptcy estate.  Creditors are allowed to inquire at the 341 Meeting and if needed follow-up discovery/questions can be sought as to the bankruptcy estate.

Mr. Demos has appeared as a legal advisor on many Florida television programs and periodicals and as a speaker regarding personal injury (two seminars), condominium and real estate (two seminars) and other events.  

Each day at our offices, we concentrate our efforts on the rights of each of our clients through effective and efficient attention to the particular needs of each client.

You may call for an appointment/consultation or for more information.

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss it.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

Personal InjWe represent injured victims with their claims regarding auto accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, slip and fall, auto accidents, and wrongful death and other areas of claims.

Andrew C. Demos, Esq., is a writer and speaker at seminars regarding Setting the Soft Tissue Injury  Case and Personal Injury 101 and is a legal advisor on local television news channels.

We offer a free initial consultation to personal injury clients and will travel to new potential clients to meet with them, discuss their potential claims and to begin representation.

Please ensure that you obtain immediate medical attention and follow-through necessary treatments.

We make home, hospital and other out of office visits.

Contact our offices today to schedule a FREE CONSULTATION at (954) 589-0119 or at info@demoslaw.com

The information contained on this page and within this website is as-is without any warranty and is not to be construed as legal advice.  All persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact our office to discuss inquiries.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

You may call for an appointment/consultation or for more information.

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss it.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today.  

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

Prior to founding this firm in 2007, Andrew C. Demos, Esq., dedicated the vast majority of his legal representation to construction issues and condominium matters that involve construction.

Considering the maintenance and ongoing requirements for high-rise structures including condominiums it is not surprising that our firm focuses a large portion of its practice to construction issues including:

• Contract drafting, Addenda and Negotiations;
• Claims;
• Disputes;
• Condo Converter Requirements;
• Developer Turnover Reports, Construction Defects and Statutory Requirements;
• Water Infiltration Damages Affecting Condominium Units and other Structures
• Litigation;
• Arbitration; and.
• Mediation

Our office routinely assists contractors, businesses, owners, boards of directors of condominiums, owners and others with the above issues and determination of causation and responsibility for the costs and performance of remedial repairs.  

We assist with the handling of construction contracts, defects, claims, litigation, arbitration and other matters concerning projects including but not limited to, roof replacement, balcony concrete restoration, plumbing, structural, electrical, HVAC / mechanical, pool resurfacing, drywall replacement, mold remediation and all other areas.

When an owner and/or board receives a Notice to Owner, they should carefully review same with their legal counsel to determine the appropriate course of action to take, if any, and the owner should ensure that they keep such information within their records during the course and scope of the work, progress payments and final payment.  The purpose of the Notice to Owner is to provide direct notice of the presence of the persons not in direct "privity" of contract with the owner.  The Notice to Owner allows the owner to avail itself/himself/herself of the statutory remedies of being able to request further information from the direct contractor, and to ensure that payments are made to all subcontractors, laborers and others as set forth in Ch. 713., when the contractor fails to make payment

Before signing a construction contract, allow Andrew C. Demos, P.A., to review the contract, confirm licensing, incorporation and other issues and draft an addendum to the contract.

Mr. Demos' worked in a condominium law firm as a managing attorney where Mr. Demos frequently assisted condominiums with concrete restoration projects, roofing projects, delay claims, developer-turnover construction defect resolution, pool damage and repairs, seawall repairs, demolition, remediation, rebuilding and other construction.

Mr. Demos also gained experience representing developers in the planning and development phase of condominium construction through post-turnover litigation, disputes with subcontractors and suppliers and other issues.

Construction defect claims with high profile South Florida developers are resolved with success through the careful planning and attention provided by Mr. Demos.

Thus, Andrew C. Demos, P.A., is likely to be the best choice to assist you with your construction law needs.Call or send an e-mail today for a free initial consultation at (954) 589-0119 or Info@DemosLaw.com

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss same.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today. 

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.

You may call for an appointment/consultation or for more information.

The information contained on this page and within this website is not to be construed as legal advice and any persons interested in obtaining information for a particular situation should contact an attorney to discuss it.  A legal opinion will be provided if and when a consultation with our office occurs.  Please contact our office today.

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.  Before you hire an attorney, you have a right to ask for further information regarding the attorney's background, training and experience.