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Who is Ken Carlson?

Carlson Law Office – About the Firm

The Experience You Want

I am a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley and Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. I began my law practice in 1980, specializing in landlord-tenant law. I have authored booklets on renters’ rights, including the e-book Kits available from this site. I have been a college instructor and taught the Department of Real Estate’s continuing education course on landlord-tenant law. As the internet evolved, I moved my practice from my Glendale office to this website, which I created in 1999.

Since then, I have helped tens of thousands of tenants like you in a variety of situations.

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Ken Carlson

The Commitment You Need

Unlike most lawyers, I did not come from a privileged background. My family lived in a trailer when I was young, and in various apartments and rented housing as I grew up.
I had to pay for my own education in college and law school, doing a variety of jobs from dishwashing and janitorial work to selling real estate and teaching English as a second language. I had to interrupt my progress twice to work and save up money to continue.

I got involved in tenants’ rights as a law student, when I became a tenant organizer.
I started my own law practice from that organizing more than 40 years ago, dedicated to tenants’ rights. What I enjoy most about this practice is empowering tenants to achieve victories over their landlords, which hopefully carries over to other areas of their life. Through this website and technology, I am able to help tenants with the necessary paperwork, strategies and advice at a fraction of normal cost.

Costs and Fees

I provide as much general information as I can for free on the pages of this site, which gets about 50,000 hits per month. For paid services, I have the Hotline, e-book legal Kits, paperwork preparation, consultation, and more. I do everything but go to court, and for that I can arrange a lawyer for you if you wish. My overhead is low, so I “pass the savings on to you.” My rate of $330 per hour for more than 40 years of expertise is the best deal around.

For almost all of the actual services, there is a set price in the Shopping Cart. Like a vending machine, you pay for X and you get X, so that the total cost is entirely up to you.
I work within your budget. The initial consultation is only $165 for 1/2 hour of fact-filled discussion. The most common reaction I get at the end of the initial consultation is, “That’s the best money I’ve ever spent.”