Legal Services
Specialized representation for California tenants in high-stakes disputes with landlords and property management companies.
Tenant Buyouts ("Cash for Keys")
Your landlord wants to pay you to move. Gain leverage with a tenant buyout lawyer to understand your rights, gain insight into the landlord's liability and the economic analysis of your individual situation. This will strengthen your overall bargaining position and help you make an informed decision.
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Tailored "Limited Scope" Services
Not every matter requires full scope representation. Sometimes an "a la carte" option makes more sense, such as paid consults for legal answers to complex legal questions, pragmatic tenant guidance, or drafting correspondence to your landlord regarding a specific issue.
No Upfront Fees or Costs for Qualified Cases
Get the legal help you need regardless of your financial situation. Most cases are handled on "contingency," meaning you pay nothing upfront—not until we first obtain a cash settlement or win your case in court.
About the Attorney
Education
J.D., University of San Diego School of Law
B.A., History, University of California, Los Angeles
Trial Attorney by Your Side
As a former prosecutor and defense attorney in the criminal courts, for over a decade I developed invaluable trial skills and gained significant courtroom experience in high stakes settings, which I utilize and leverage now in landlord-tenant law. I began my career at two District Attorney's Offices, and later founded a successful criminal defense practice, collectively handling hundreds of cases annually and advocating in courtrooms almost daily. I first-chaired 30+ jury trials to verdict (without help and with a near perfect win-rate excluding my very first year in practice), handled complex felonies, and represented clients charged with the most serious of offenses, including murder. So, even though most civil cases settle before trial, if your case requires it, rest assured in my confidence to win in court.
Tenant Rights Civil Litigation & Buyouts
My extensive courtroom experience prepared me well for the challenges of landlord-tenant litigation. Before opening a tenant law office, I served as Trial Counsel at a larger plaintiffs' firm exclusively handling tenant lawsuits against landlords. In this position, I gained significant experience representing people who lived through terrible landlord experiences—forced to vacate after suffering too long in units with severe habitability defects, faced landlord harassment, retaliation, discrimination, and other claims. When I opened my tenant practice, in addition to handling these types of lawsuits, my focus shifted to helping protected tenants still living in their units, often being pressured to abandon their long-term homes with inadequate buyout offers, or facing issues with their landlord but either preferring not to sue and/or stuck in neglected tenancies without the funds to move or afford market rates.
Ari Rief, Esq.
About Rief Legal, P.C.
Statewide Cases
I handle civil cases statewide, focusing on large rent-controlled cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Oakland. Most matters are handled remotely, with travel as needed for trials.
Flexible Remote Meetings
Conveniently book calls or virtual meetings that conveniently fit within your schedule. In-person office appointments are always an option, too.
One Lawyer, Start to Finish
No handoffs to less experienced associates—I handle your case myself, including trial, and limit case volume to provide quality representation and a personalized experience for each client.
