Ken Carlson's Law Office

 
The Experience You Want
Ken Carlson is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and of Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Since his admission to law practice in 1980, over 25 years ago, he has specialized in landlord-tenant law, representing tenants in a variety of situations. He has authored booklets on landlord and tenant rights. He has been an instructor for Glendale Community College and for the Department of Real Estate's continuing education course on landlord-tenant law. Prior to becoming an attorney, he held several jobs paying his way through school, including being a real estate salesman. He maintained a standard law office in Glendale for 25 years before closing it down in favor of the current internet-based practice, where he can help tenants throughout the State of California.

The Commitment You Need 
Ken Carlson once had a bad landlord, himself [Los Feliz Properties in Los Angeles]. Ken became a tenant organizer in Glendale, forming the Glendale Tenant Association [www.glendaletenant.com ], while still in law school. This expanded to his vice presidency in the statewide California House Action and Information Network [CHAIN]. Ken directed his law career to helping tenants, building his law practice from a desk in his apartment to a full scale law office, and ultimately to creating this new hub of tenant law in California. His dedication to helping tenants is widely recognized. for services such as the free information provided on this website, referrals to other tenant lawyers around the State, and the inexpensive kits provided through this website. Helping tenants stick up for themselves is the first step toward fair rent laws and practices. There is more to come, as California Tenant Law continues to develop.

Services Provided
This website requires Ken's full attention. Despite his expertise in trial work, he no longer represents clients in court, nor puts his name on the court papers at the attorney of record. Like other veteran lawyers, his primary value is now as a strategist and mentor, who can correctly advise clients and other attorneys on the best course of action. In that role, Ken can draft the legal papers required on the tenant's behalf, handle the all-too-common blunders of the court clerks and judges, and develop a winning strategy in real terms for his clients. Of those who have had a consultation with Ken, the most common comment is that it was the best money they ever spent. 

The Kits provided on the website deliver hundreds of dollars worth of legal advice, fillable legal forms, strategic advice, practical considerations, organizational charts, and step-by-step instructions, for only $20, which is now less than half a tank of gas, and less than the gas and parking usually required just to get to a lawyer's office. These Kits are intended to help those who can't even afford Legal Aid's fees, so that tenants everywhere can exercise their rights within their budget.  Tenants who have purchased the Kits often e-mail their astonishment of how helpful the Kit is and how much it provides for the price. 

The listing of other lawyers without charge is also to help tenants find a local lawyer to assist them at trial. Tenant lawyers are very difficult to find.  Ken does not make recommendations, since that would be a "lawyer referral service," where State Bar restrictions then impose requirements which effectively exclude referrals to the vast majority of highly competent tenant lawyers. This is not part of a pre-paid legal service, which similarly excludes highly competent tenant lawyers, in order to refer cases to those lawyers desperate enough to pay for such a referral.  You need a good lawyer, who knows tenant law.

 

 

updated 8/5/06