Real estate moves fast. Your legal counsel should too.
Real estate litigation, closings, and commercial matters across Southern California and the Phoenix metro area. Matt Cortez is both a trial attorney and a licensed California real estate broker.
A lawyer who also thinks like a broker
Matt Cortez is a licensed California real estate broker in addition to being a trial attorney, and serves on the Board of Directors of the California Association of Realtors. That background means he reads a purchase agreement, a disclosure form, or a commercial lease the way an experienced real estate professional does, not just as a litigator reviewing it after something has already gone wrong.
Real estate litigation
As a trial attorney, Matt Cortez doesn't just draft real estate paperwork, he litigates real estate disputes when a transaction breaks down or a property dispute ends up in court. This is a core, active part of the practice, not an occasional add-on.
Purchase and sale disputes
Litigating disagreements over contract terms, deposits, contingencies, or a deal that fell apart.
Failure to disclose claims
Representing buyers and sellers in disputes over undisclosed property defects or misrepresentations.
Quiet title actions
Resolving disputes or clouds on title so a property can be sold, refinanced, or transferred cleanly.
Title disputes
Litigating liens, boundary disputes, and other title defects that can't be resolved through the title company alone.
Mechanic's lien disputes
Representing property owners and contractors in disputes over unpaid work or materials, including enforcing or challenging a lien.
Landlord-tenant disputes
Representing landlords and tenants in disputes over lease terms, evictions, habitability, and lease enforcement.
Real estate transactions
Contract and closing support before a dispute ever has the chance to start.
Residential & commercial closings
Contract review and legal support alongside your escrow and title company, before problems come up, not after.
FSBO representation
Contract and disclosure support for owners selling without a real estate agent.
Deed transfers
Preparing and reviewing deeds for transfers between family members, into a trust, or as part of a sale.
Commercial leases
Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating commercial lease terms for landlords and tenants.
Real estate LLC formation
Forming and structuring LLCs for investors to hold income and investment properties.
Why hire an attorney if the state doesn't require one?
California and Arizona are both escrow states. That's not a reason to skip legal counsel, it's the reason to have your own.
In both states, a licensed escrow or title company handles the mechanics of closing, holding funds, coordinating signatures, recording the deed. That officer is a neutral party by law. They cannot advise you, negotiate on your behalf, or tell you whether a contract term protects your interests.
That gap is exactly where a real estate attorney adds value: reviewing the purchase agreement before you sign, resolving a title defect the escrow company can't touch, or stepping in when a deal turns into a dispute.
An escrow or title company can close a standard transaction without an attorney involved. They are required to remain neutral and cannot give either side legal advice.
This is general information, not legal advice about your specific transaction.
Realtors, lenders, and title professionals: Mr. Cortez's background as an experienced, boots-on-the-ground real estate broker, combined with his seat as a Director with the California Association of Realtors, means that he understands how legal issues affect real world real estate transactions. He speaks your language, not just legal language.
Start a conversationCommon questions
This is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult an attorney about your specific situation.
Do I need a real estate attorney to buy or sell property in California or Arizona?
No. Both California and Arizona are escrow states, meaning a licensed escrow or title company, not an attorney, typically handles the closing itself. An escrow officer is a neutral party and cannot give legal advice or represent either side. An attorney is not required, but is often valuable for contract review, resolving disputes, and handling title problems the escrow company cannot address.
What is a quiet title action?
A quiet title action is a lawsuit filed to resolve a dispute or uncertainty over who legally owns a piece of property, often used to clear up conflicting claims, old liens, or boundary disputes so the property can be sold or refinanced.
What is a mechanic's lien?
A mechanic's lien is a legal claim a contractor, subcontractor, or supplier can place on a property when they are not paid for work or materials. It can prevent a sale or refinance until it is resolved, released, or successfully challenged.
Can a real estate attorney help with a For Sale By Owner (FSBO) transaction?
Yes. Selling without an agent means no one is reviewing the purchase contract, disclosures, or title work on your behalf. An attorney can review or draft these documents and help you avoid the disclosure and contract mistakes that most often lead to disputes after closing.
Have a real estate matter to discuss?
Free consultation. Serving Southern California and the Phoenix metro area.