Need some sound real estate legal advice with candid, quick feedback? Sean Tluchak is your local law guru.

 

Sean is the managing member and founder of Tluchak, Redwood & Culbertson, PLLC, in Richmond, Virginia. Located near Innsbrook in the West End, the firm has three partners, Kathryn Redwood, Walter Culbertson and Sean, as well as four employees. Sean started the company a dozen years ago after working 11 years as a litigation attorney at Rothenberg, Streeter & Tluchak, PLLC.

 

When his law partner became gravely ill, Sean started to make a switch to real estate transactional work. “I had grown disenfranchised with the judicial system anyway,” he explains. “If you had money and hired certain law firms, you could tie up cases longer in court, which was difficult on the parties that had the better facts but a smaller purse. There were also times when I won cases, simply by being a better lawyer, and I just didn't like the way that felt.”  

 

At first, Sean tried to keep some of his litigation clients but quickly realized that he could not adequately represent both litigation clients and real estate clients regularly, so his practice shifted to real estate. He soon found that the switch was fortuitous.

 

“I liked the fast-paced nature of it and enjoyed the satisfaction of having closure in 30 days,” he recalls with a laugh.

Sean notes his background and work ethic have played an important role in his success over the past 23 years. He was raised by a single mom and grew up relatively poor, so he started working at a young age and moved out when he turned 18. Law always seemed like the natural path for him, since he was quick to see both sides of an issue but argued strongly only if he felt one was truly right.

 

What sets Tluchak, Redwood & Culbertson apart from similar law firms is their commitment to quick responses by the attorney handling the file, Sean points out.

 

“I receive a lot of emails every single day and I like to get them all answered before I leave for the day. I call it ‘cleaning my queue.’ When I started handling real estate clients regularly, many of the agents were frustrated that they couldn't speak to the closing attorney directly,” he notes. “Our office prides itself on quick responses by the attorney handling the file.”

 

Sean’s former litigation experience has also been invaluable in helping him explain to clients how a dispute might play out.

 

“My litigation background really gives me a unique perspective. For example, if someone breaches a contract, I can say with confidence that this is how this usually goes … the case could get tied up for a year or, instead, we could settle this in an hour,” Sean explains. “The ability to think in terms of problem solving rather than reaction-based is a huge part of my expertise.”

 

Sean believes strongly that his firm provides the best combination of communication and sound legal advice in the area. He’s seen quite a few changes in his profession over the years and notes it’s unfortunate that there’s a move to “out-of-the-area” title companies that don’t have the relationships and experience to really help buyers and sellers in Central Virginia.

 

“It’s going to be an industry-wide problem, I think. Clients that use these national companies simply are not getting the particular knowledge, service, and representation they would from local attorneys. Agents will need to explain to a client what benefit, if any, is being derived from their use.”

 

Despite the current challenges, Sean still sees a positive outlook for his real estate law practice.

 

“The attorneys and title companies in our area have collegial relationships, and we strive to do things the right way. Most of the real estate agents in Virginia are focused on providing first-class, professional service to their clients so the attorneys that do that will always be in high demand,” he concludes.

 

“And in my experience, most local agents know that the biggest key to success in real estate is making sure you are surrounded by a team of professionals who take pride in what they do and are willing to go above and beyond to get the job done right.”

 

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When Sean’s not busy at his law firm, he enjoys surfing and fishing in Avon, North Carolina. He has been married 17 years to his wife, Lisa Rossi, who is an art teacher at Pemberton Elementary. The couple have two daughters, Maya (16), and Sophie (14).

 

“I also love watching my kids play sports,” Sean adds. “Maya plays soccer for Freeman and Sophie plays tennis for Tuckahoe. We all love spending time at the beach in Avon too.”