Zachary Schorr
Lead Trial Attorney
(310) 954-1877 x. 201
[email protected]
Lawyer of the Year in California 2016-2017"
Law Firm 500 Honoree 2016-2017
REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY LOS ANGELES
Zachary D. Schorr is known as one of the Top Real Estate Attorneys in Los Angeles. Mr. Schorr leads Schorr Law’s team of attorneys in a very active real estate law firm in Southern California. He is an experienced Los Angeles real estate attorney and litigator who enjoys the litigation process and trials.
Mr. Schorr initially gained his experience in law by working in a well-known national law firm, while later honing his skills at a well-respected real estate and entertainment boutique law firm. In the winter of 2005, Mr. Schorr founded Schorr Law, A Professional Corporation with the goal of providing a firm with expertise in a highly focused subject matter: real estate.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Schorr earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of California at Davis, School of Law. Mr. Schorr also worked for the Clinton White House for Vice President Gore in the Community Empowerment Board helping develop policy for redeveloping inner cities through tax incentives. During law school, Mr. Schorr was a judicial extern for the Honorable Sabrina McKenna in the 22nd Division of the Hawaii Superior Court.
SUCCESSES
Throughout his years of practice, Mr. Schorr has developed a track record of successes, including:
- $4.618 million fraud judgment against a real estate developer, attorney and construction company;
- A jury verdict resulting in $2.5 million payment to his client;
- Trial win in favor of client on specific performance case involving purchase of multi-unit building near downtown Los Angeles.
- Obtained a judgment for adverse possession 100% in favor of his client against Schorr Law’s client’s previous co-tenant concerning an approximately $4 Million Hancock Park property after a 3 week bench trial.
- A jury verdict in favor all five of his clients in a multiparty real estate litigation;
- Jury verdict for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty against a Los Angeles Dr. in case involving commercial real estate fraud
- Trial win in favor of client based on irrevocable license theory holding Schorr Law’s client had a right to use 8 off site parking spaces in downtown Los Angeles
- Trial win in favor of well known restaurant following bench trial on permissible rent increase
- 9th Circuit Court of Appeals victory confirming District Court dismissal of plaintiff’s claim
- A complete defense verdict (12-0) on all claims after a lengthy jury trial involving the sale of an airplane;
- An arbitration award in favor of clients being sued for alleged failure to disclosure in connection with real property with no money awarded to the claimant;
- Resolution of an ownership dispute involving over $25 million;
- Successfully Negotiated the Terms of a $10 Million estate financing deal;
- Successfully defeated a $2.775 million dollar claim for specific performance for the sale of a 9 unit apartment building in Redondo Beach;
- Obtained summary judgment in action to partition jointly owned real property;
- Numerous judgments for quiet title clearing old liens; and
- Numerous large settlements for his clients, over $10 million in dispute in 2014 alone.
PUBLISHED APPELLATE DECISIONS:
- Batta v. Hunt, 2nd District Court of Appeal (B326589)
- Shoen v. Zacarias (Cal. Ct. App., Apr. 4, 2019, No. B284374) 2019 WL 1486865
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
As an experienced California real estate attorney, Mr. Schorr speaks at a lot of seminars covering various areas of real estate law. Some of the seminars he has participated in are:
- Strafford: Litigating Quiet Title Actions: Key Considerations and Strategies to Navigate a Complex Process; February 2024
- Strafford: Clearing Title for Defects Involving Easements, Encroachments, and Survey/Boundary Disputes; December 2023
- CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar): Presented Seminar on Evidence Issues in Real Property Litigation; May 2023
- National Business Institute: California Real Estate Law 101: Purchase and Sale of Real Estate, and Easements and Boundary Law; December 2022
- USC Real Estate Law and Business Class: Presented a lecture to USC students on Landlord and Tenant Issues; October 2022
- National Business Institute: Top 7 Title Defects - Cured; October 2022
- Strafford: Clearing Title for Defects Due to Easements, Encroachments, and Survey/Boundary Disputes; September 2022
- Strafford: Clearing Title for Defects Due to Easements, Encroachments, and Survey/Boundary Disputes; June 2022
- Strafford: Real Estate Broker Agreements: Fiduciary Duties, Reps and Warranties, Indemnification, Conflicts of Interest; January 2022
- Westlake Lawyers Affinity Group CLE: Fundamentals of the Legal Services Agreement; May 2023
- USC Real Estate Law and Business Class: Presented a lecture to USC students on Landlord and Tenant Disputes; September 2021
- HalfMoon Legal: Presenter and part of expert panel on "California Boundaries and Easements"; August 2021
- National Business Institute: How to Get Your Social Media, Email and Text Evidence Admitted: Real-World Examples, Handy How-to's and Sample Screen Shots; August 2021
- National Business Institute: Part of expert panel, presenting seminar on "Social Media, Smartphone Evidence and More: How to..."; November 2020
- Guest Lecturer at USC Law School: Discussed Landlord and Tenant related matters, including during the time of COVID-19; October 2020
- National Business Institute: Presenter at seminar on "How to Get Your Social Media, Email and Text Evidence Admitted (and Keep Theirs Out)"; June 2020
- USC Real Estate Law Class: Presented a lecture to USC students on Landlord and Tenant related matters; November 2019
- National Business Institute: Presenter and Expert Panel Member for seminar covering New Land Use Challenges when dealing with Airbnb, VRBOs, and other short-term rentals; October 2019.
- NBI, Inc./West LegalEd Center: Led Seminar on Evidence Rules: Hearsay Pitfalls and Strategies; July 2019.
- National Business Institute: Part of a panel of presenters who presented seminar on Airbnb, VRBO and Short-Term Lease Agreements: Top 11 Mistakes Attorneys are Making!; June 2019.
- HalfMoon Education Inc: Part of a panel of presenters at a seminar. Presented on Identifying, Classifying, and Locating Easements; February 2019.
- myLawCLE/ Westlaw: Presented a seminar on Airbnb and VRBOs: New Land Use Challenges; June 2018.
- National Business Institute: Presenter and Expert Panel Member on Airbnb, VRBO, and other Short-term Lease Agreements; May 2018 .
- National Business Institute: Presenter and Expert Panel Member on Airbnb, VRBO, and other Short-term Lease Agreements; January 2018
- National Business Institute: Presented a Seminar on Title Law in California; December 2017.
- Loyola Law Brownbag Lunch Series: Provided a forum for Loyola Law students to learn about the Real Estate Law practice area; November 2017.
- USC Real Estate Law and Business Class: Presented a lecture to USC students on Deeds, Land Descriptions, Surveys, and Boundary Disputes; August 2017
- Loyola Law: Foundations of American Law: Gave a lecture about Property Law to Loyola’s Master of Legal Studies Students; August 2017.
- National Business Institute: Presenter and Expert Panel Member on Airbnb and VRBOs: New Land Use Challenges; April 2017.
- National Business Institute: Presented a Seminar on Title Law: A to Z; April 2017.
- Law Seminars International: Presented a Seminar on Negotiating Common Area Maintenance Provisions In Commercial Leases
- National Judicial Review, Inc: Presented a Seminar on Buyers and Sellers Beware: California Residential Purchase and Sale Agreement
AWARDS/ RECOGNITIONS
Zachary D. Schorr is well recognized as being one of the top and leading Real Estate Attorneys in Los Angeles and in California. The awards and recognitions that he has received show how dedicated he is to being a leading real estate attorney and achieving the best possible results for all of his Clients:
- Southern California Super Lawyers: 2020-2023
- Southern California Super Lawyers Rising Stars: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012.
- Super Lawyers Top 100 Rising Stars: 2016
- Corporate INTL Real Estate Litigation Attorney of the Year in California: 2017, 2016
- Expertise.com Named Schorr Law as one of the Top 20 Real Estate Law Firms in Los Angeles: 2017.
- Investopedia named Zachary Schorr as one of The 5 Best Real Estate Lawyers in Los Angeles: 2016.
- Law Firm 500 Named Schorr Law as one of the Fastest Growing Law Firms in America in 2016.
- AVVO Client’s Choice Award, and AVVO Top Rated Attorney (10.0).
- Realty Today, Top 5 Best Real Estate Law Firms in Los Angeles, CA 2018.
PUBLICATIONS
- Thomson Reuters, West Law, Practical Law Contributing Attorney-Editor, Real Estate Ownership: California
- Thomson Reuters, West Law, Practical Law Contributing Attorney-Editor, Real Estate Leasing: California
- Contributing Attorney Author for CEB - California Title Insurance Practice
- California Real Property Journal: Arbitration: Determining the Collateral Estoppel Effect of a Private Arbitration Award on Non-Parties In Subsequent Litigation
- American Bar Association, Business Torts Journal “Fraudulent Common Area Overcharges in Commercial Leases” – by Zachary D. Schorr
- American Bar Association, Business Torts Journal "Enhanced Damages for Elderly Victims of Consumer Fraud"
- Los Angeles Daily Journal, "Some Like It Hot, Some Like It Historical" see: pdf | full paper article
- Author of “Litigation Prep for Commercial Real Estate Leasing Disputes” published by ReedLogic
- Business Torts Journal, Fading Fiduciary Duties Between Franchisors and Franchisees
- Author of "How Defend Yourself in a California Unlawful Detainer".
FEATURED QUOTES
- Wall Street Journal, "Renting Properties to Ultrawealthy Tenants Isn’t as Glamorous (or Easy) as It Seems"
- Wall Street Journal, "When Home Buyers Change Their Minds"
- Wall Street Journal: How to Sell Your Home Without a Real Estate Agent
- Forbes, "Mattress Firm Fraud Defendant Claims Retailer Has 'Unclean Hands' In Real Estate Conspiracy"
- The Los Angeles Times, "Escrow Can be Tense. How to Make it Through Unscathed"
- US News and World Report: 6 Things Renters Can Do to Recoup Their Security Deposit
- US News and World Report: How to Do 'For Sale by Owner' the Right Way
- CBS News, "Couple who bought 'American Horror Story' house suing seller over fan harassment"
- US News and World Report, "How Landlords Can Legally Raise Rent"
- US News and World Report, "How To Write a Promissory Note"
- US News and World Report, “How to Avoid Celebrity Real Estate Blunders”
- US News and World Report "What To Do If You Are Being Sued"
- US News and World Report "How to Avoid and Live With Neighbor Nightmares"
- Time Magazine (Money Magazine): Featured Expert: "How to Sell Your House Without Paying an Agent's Fee"
- Yahoo! Finance: How to Do 'For Sale by Owner' the Right Way
- Yahoo News: Building, Buying, or Beefing Up a Home? Watch Out for Annoying Deed Restrictions.
- MarketWatch: ‘My stepmother is crying poor, and selling everything of value. She’s cut off all communication’: My father died without a will and I am his only child. What now?
- Redfin: Expert Legal Tips for Homebuying and Selling
- Realtor.com: Can You Buy a House Without Your Spouse? The Pros and Cons
- Realtor.com: Building, Buying, or Beefing Up a Home? Watch Out for Annoying Deed Restrictions.
- Realtor.com: How to Evict a Family Member Who Has Worn Out His Welcome
- The Real Deal: Renting homes to the ultra-wealthy brings its own set of headaches
- The Real Deal: Brokers Behaving Badly?
- MSN by Microsoft News: Can Home Sellers Legally Back Out of a Contract?
- Hollywood Weekly, “For Love of the Argument”
- Fox Business: "Renting Your Home? 7 Things You Need to Know"
- Fox News - "Navigate the real estate market with these 6 lingo tips"
- Hollywood Reporter: LA Real Estate: How to Spot a Shady Broker
- The Epoch Times: Homebuyers Get Creative Amid Historically High Property Values
- The Epoch Times: Landmark Verdict Against Realtors Among Several Problems Plaguing Industry, Say Experts
- The Epoch Times: A 'Perfect Storm': Sharp Rise in Home Prices, Mortgage Rates Driving Working Americans out of the Market
- SFGATE: What Is a Deed-Restricted Community? What to Know Before You Buy or Build a Home
- Sacramento Bee: Do You Have to Tell a Homebuyer if Your House is Haunted? Here’s What California Law Says
- Patch: How To Sell A Haunted House In CA: Ghosts, Death And Disclosure
- Apartmentguide.com: 11 Apartment Red Flags You Need to Avoid
- ZeroHedge.com: Homebuyers Get Creative Amid Historically High Property Values
- LegalReader.com: Best Practices for Legal Research: What Experts Say, Part 1
- The Spectrum: This accountant was caught defrauding clients. His St. George office is open for business.
- HomeLight: How to Change Your Name on a House Title After Marriage
- HomeLight: Can a Seller Back Out of a Real Estate Contract Without Repercussions?
- HomeLight: You Bought a House. The Seller Won’t Leave. Now What?
- Bankrate: Can A Seller Back Out Of A Real Estate Contract?
- The Mortgage Reports: How to Fire Your Real Estate Agent
- Knew Money: A Pain-Free Guide To Getting Out Of Your Iron-Clad Apartment Lease
- Mortgage Reports: Understanding a Real Estate Contract or Purchase Agreement
- Philly.com, “Why real estate attorneys are valuable”
- Southern California Homes: "Get Help with Common Real Estate Disputes: An Interview with Zachary Schorr of Schorr Law, A Professional Corporation"
- The New Jersey Sentinel: Buying: Don't Be Remorseful- The Times of Northwest Indiana
- Omaha World-Herald, "Make sure you're finding the right house for you - for the long haul"
- Monitor Homes, Law & Order: "From contract to closing, real estate attorneys guide buyers through the process"
- Medical Office Today, "Dealing with Tenants in a Retail Center: Rights and Recourse When Faced with an Incompatible Tenant"
- Multifamily Executive, “Black Sheep”, Property managers must learn how to spot – and prevent – problems with potential residents before they join the flock
- Turks.us – Daily World EU News, “Even Celebrities Haven’t Escaped Misery of Real Estate Deals"
- LowesForPros.com, “When a Tenant Sues”
- LowesForPros.com, “Develop a Tenant Handbook”
- Spokane.net, Missoulian.com, “Back and Forth, Back and Forth..” (Buying and Selling With Counter Offers)
- Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily Herald “Terms of Agreement”
- Philly.com. “Having a good landlord/tenant relationship”
- CBSMoneyWatch.com – Can I Break My Lease If People Bark About My Dog?
- Madison.com, San Angelo Times, Standard Times – Neighbor Nicities: Don’t silently steam in your side of the fence. Here’s how to handle issues that may arise next door
- SpokesmanHomes.com – Negotiation, compromise part of good tenant / landlord relationship
- DallasNews.com – Real estate attorneys guide homebuyers through process
- Monitor Homes: NBC 5 Chicago – Law & Order
- Multifamily Executive – Crime Control: A step-by-step guide on how to purge your property of crime – at a price you can afford
- After Class: What Is "Loss Factor" And How To Negotiate Against It
- Realty Biz News: Why You Need to Warn Your Clients About Deed Restrictions
- REALTOR Mag: Watch Out for Deed Restrictions
- New Haven Register: How to Evict a Family Member Who Has Worn Out His Welcome
- Bisnow: Mattress Firm Fraud Defendant Claims Retailer Has 'Unclean Hands' In Real Estate Conspiracy
- Bisnow: Mattress Firm CEO Resigns, Chairman Taking Over Duties
- A Pain-Free Guide to Getting out of Your Iron-Clad Apartment Lease
- Omaha World-Herald: What's it worth? Why appraisals are vital to the homebuying process
- RE - Weekly: Next Door Nuisance - How to Handle Difficult Neighbors
- The Dallas Morning News: What to Expect When You're Expecting to Inherit Real Estate
- Eco Bear: Dealing with Jointly Owned Inherited Real Estate
- Homelight: Can You Sell a House with a Lis Pendens
- The Dallas Morning News: How to Handle Difficult Neighbors
IN THE MEDIA
Mr. Schorr is also widely known in the media. He appeared on the Dr. Phil Show, where Dr. Phil asked him to provide legal commentary on the real estate situation his guests were facing. Mr. Schorr also provided legal commentary on ABC Nightline, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir, and most recently was featured on ABC7's Eyewitness News.
OTHER MEDIA:
- ABC 7 Eyewitness News: Mr. Schorr provided legal commentary on a Hollywood actor facing current litigation for cutting down a neighbor's tree.
- Fox 11 News: Mr. Schorr appeared on Fox11 news to discuss an unusual eviction matter involving a possible constructive eviction.
- VoyageLA - Hidden Gems: Mr. Schorr was featured in Voyage LA's Hidden Gems where he talked about Schorr Law, and how he got to where he is today.
- KNX 1070 CBS Radio: Provided legal commentary on a matter regarding a couple who bought the "American Horror Story" house and were suing the seller for failure to disclosure things; 2018.
- KABC 790, "So What's Your Problem?": Discussed various real estate matters with show host and provided legal commentary.
- XM Satellite Radio: The Lisa Valentine Clark Show; Mr. Schorr offered expert commentary on residential and commercial landlord tenant issues.
- The Probate Realtor Show: "What is a Material Fact in the Sale of Real Estate?" YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcast
- Cited by Los Angeles Times: "This California city is letting owners sell ADUs as starter homes. Will it be a housing revolution?"
- Cited by USA Today: "Buyer be scared: Patrick Stewart sold haunted Los Angeles home without revealing ghosts"
RECOGNITIONS
- Topsinamerica.com: Listed as one of the Top Ten Real Estate Attorneys in Los Angeles
- Expertise.com: 20 Best Los Angeles Real Estate Law Firms
- RealtyToday.com: Top 5 Best Real Estate Law Firms in Los Angeles, CA 2018
- Investopedia.com: The 5 Best Real Estate Lawyers in Los Angeles
- Association of American Trial Lawyers: Top 100