Lundeen, Jonathan B.

FIRM BACKGROUND

STEVEN R. LOVETT received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he graduated Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1974. He received his Juris Doctorate degree from Southwestern University School of Law in 1978. At Southwestern, he was a member of Law Review and was the author of a published article.  He has over 30 years experience in the practice of law.

Mr. Lovett is a member in good standing of the State Bar of California, most California state and federal courts, and the United States Court of Claims in Washington, D.C. . Mr. Lovett is a sole practitioner and is the author of "California Partnership Handbook 2d," "Search and Seizure Courtroom Book," and co-author of "Arbitration Handbook 2d." In addition, he has edited over a dozen legal publications in areas including construction law, commercial law, consumer law, business law, family law, criminal law, and real estate law. Mr. Lovett has been listed in "Who's Who Among Outstanding Americans 1994-1995."

Mr. Lovett has been involved in hundreds of complex commercial litigation, real estate and construction trials and arbitrations representing institutional lenders, architects and designers, contractors, subcontractors,  homeowners and materialmen. He has been a member of the California Association of Realtors lawyer referral panel, and has lectured for Continuing Education of the Bar (CEB), National Business Institute (NBI), the California Association of Realtors (CAR), and Charing Cross Publishing Company (Lega-Books).    

OUR APPROACH

The approach of the Law Office of Steven R. Lovett is to perform cost-effective, yet high quality work. We aim to produce big firm quality, while eliminating the tiers of lawyers and paralegals generating fees.  While we are litigators, we understand that litigation is a last resort due to its expense, emotional wear and tear, and the uncertainty. We aim for settlement and mediation when possible, yet remain ready and able to aggressively litigate any matter and strive for the best possible result. We also will keep the client in the loop and up to date on developments,  communicate regularly with clients, return all phone calls within 24 hours or sooner, as well as strive to achieve excellent results at the lowest possible cost to the client.   

THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTIVE LAW

While most individuals go to a medical doctor for periodic checkups, the patient does not typically come to a lawyer until a dispute is hemorrhaging. There are many preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the need or eliminate the need for legal intervention. First, it is critical to make a record of all proposals. Even if the amount involved does not justify a formal contract, there is no reason that a confirming letter or facsimile cannot be sent. If a letter or fax is sent to someone, and that person or business does not object, services are rendered based upon that letter, the law will create an enforceable contract under whatever terms are set forth in that letter.

THE NEED TO DOCUMENT (C.Y.A.)

Many legal factual issues can be easily eliminated by a confirming letter. In this day of instant communication, there is virtually no excuse to fail to send a confirming fax or e-mail which sets forth the terms of an agreement and/or payment. These type of preventive measures both minimize the need for an attorney involvement and make it much easier once an attorney has to be involved.

If a pre-printed contract is used, a contractor or design professional should ensure that the contract
Along the lines of documenting proposals, I would like to mention the need to document disputes, or the lack thereof. If, in the process of collection, somebody in your office contacts a client who tells you that a check is in the mail, or that they are having a cash-flow problem, or they have not been paid by the owner, it is good practice to send a confirming letter to document the fact that the reason you have not been paid is because of a cash-flow problem. This helps to negate disputes that are often concocted on the steps of the court house or arbitrator's office.