Frederick Hertz practices real property and land use law in Oakland, California. He previously handled litigation involving the dissolution of real property co-tenancies, including tenants-in- common, family co-ownerships, and domestic partnership dissolutions, and the related aspects of property and financial disputes between unmarried couples, both same-sex and opposite-sex, as well as purchase & sale and ownership of real property matters. As of January 2007, Mr. Hertz is no longer accepting new litigation clients.

Mr. Hertz continues to serve clients in transaction matters, primarily in the areas of drafting real property co-ownership agreements, cohabitation agreements, and consultation with property owners on investment and ownership strategies. He also represents clients in co-ownership disputes that can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Mr. Hertz also represents private and non- profit clients in land use permitting and zoning matters in the East Bay area, with an emphasis on the representation of community groups and local developers in urban infill development and the rehabilitation of historic properties.

Mr. Hertz also works as a mediator and arbitrator, with a special emphasis on the mediation of co-ownership and other disputes between unmarried couples, business partners, tenants-in-common, co-owners, family members, and domestic partners.

A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Frederick Hertz graduated from Boalt Hall (University of California. Berkeley School of Law, 1981), clerked with the Minnesota Supreme Court (1981-1982), and subsequently received a Master's Degree in Urban Geography from the University of California, Berkeley (1991). He has previously taught Real Property Law in the Paralegal/Legal Studies Program of St. Mary's University, and Small Firm and Solo Practice Management at Golden Gate Law School in San Francisco.

Mr. Hertz writes and speaks nationally on property issues facing unmarried partners. He is the author of Legal Affairs: Essential Advice for Same- Sex Couples (Henry Holt & Co./Owl Books, 1998) and co-author of two Nolo Press books, Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples and Living Together : A Guide for Unmarried Couples. He has been quoted in The New York Times, the Advocate, American Demographics, Hero Magazine, Kiplingers Magazine, and the New York Observer, and has appeared on NPR's All Things Considered, Sound Money, and on the Oprah Winfrey Show and the Today Show. 

Fred's most recent book is Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships & Civil Unions.  For more information on his new book, visit www.MakingItLegal.net.

Fred can be reached by email at Fred@FrederickHertz.com, or by telephone at 510-834-4114. For more information on Fred's practice involving lesbian and gay couples, check out his website, www.samesexlaw.com.