michael t pines: Updated: CA State Bar v. Michael T. Pines. SHARK ATTACK! - 03/15/11 10:56 AM
Last October I wrote about a local attorney by the name of Michael T. Pines who was making quite a name for himself in local real estate circles. (Another Real Estate Scam to beware of.) Counselor Pines was making the evening news by advising clients who had been foreclosed on and evicted to break back into their former homes under the theory that since the debt had been satisfied through foreclosure, they could now own their former home free and clear. 
To say this hadn't worked would be an understatement. Clients who actually followed his advice were summarily re-evicted if they … (5 comments)

michael t pines: Another RE Scam to beware of... - 10/29/10 12:06 PM
Last week our local paper bestowed their 'Raspberry' award to a SoCal based attorney by the name of Michael T. Pines. Pines qualified for this award by virtue of the fact that his business model apparently involves advising clients who have been through foreclosure and been evicted from a home to break back into the home and set up residency. Of the four families he has recently convinced that his advice is sound, he has accompanied them to the house with attendant locksmith and whatever press he can scrounge up.
He garnered a couple headlines.
But most figured it for … (67 comments)

michael t pines: Folks, If it sounds too good to be true... A Raspberry for you. - 10/25/10 06:32 AM
The Californian today bestowed a raspberry entitled:
The "Uncommon Law' award.
A raspberry to attorney Michael T. Pines, who has been advising his clients to break into their foreclosed homes.
Pines claims the actions are justified because lenders committed loan fraud and violated the Truth in Lending Act of 1968. A bankruptcy judge called his ideas frivolous and ordered him to pay $16,430 in legal fees to the defendants in one case for wasting their time. Other local real estate lawyers are skeptical about his interpretation of the law.
While not every homeowner facing foreclosure is a victim, many are. They … (4 comments)