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Christopher W. Vaughn-Martel

Real estate Attorney at Boston, MA

3.7   3 reviews

also known as Charles River Law Partners, LLC

  • Licensed for 17 years
    State MA
    Acquired 2006
    Status
    Active No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Christopher

Learn Christopher’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Real estate
    40%
    All aspects of real estate, including purchase and sale, condominium development and management, lender closings, refinance; Real estate litigation, including property owner disputes, condominium disputes and fee collection, partitions

    17 years

  2. Adoption
    15%
    Representation of individuals and families in adoption, donor agreements, surrogacy and pre-birth orders, and other family creation and protection

    17 years

  3. Car accident
    15%
    Representation of injured individuals; Zealous advocacy against insurance companies and careless individuals or companies in automobile accident, premises liability, and other personal injury cases

    17 years

  4. Debt settlement
    15%
    Debt collection and debtor defense; Debt negotiation and settlement; Representation of debtors and collectors in court; Post-judgment collection, including garnishment, residential liens, etc.

    17 years

  5. Landlord or tenant
    15%
    Tenant and landlord advice and representation; Termination of tenancies, including eviction trials; Lease negotiation

    17 years

Christopher is a managing partner at Charles River Law Partners LLC, a boutique firm specializing in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate law.

In addition to real estate conveyancing, title services, and development, Christopher's practice includes general civil litigation, adoption, surrogacy, and other fertility law. Christopher has successfully and zealously represented clients throughout Massachusetts for over ten years.

Our clients are individuals, families, small businesses, lending institutions, and developers of all sizes. In addition to offering legal services throughout Massachusetts, CRLP is a licensed title and escrow agency in New Hampshire and Maine. We understand that every legal transaction or case is different and we strive to deliver tailored representation with a focus on each client's unique needs and objectives.

Our attorneys are appointed by courts for their expertise, quoted in newspapers, give trainings and seminars in their respective practice areas, volunteer and support the local community, have been honored for their pro bono work and advocacy, and named "Rising Stars"​ in Boston Magazine's list of Super Lawyers for 2009, 2016, and 2017. We draw on our collective strengths and experience to offer sound advice, creative legal strategies, and zealous advocacy for our clients.

Our main office is located in the heart of Boston's South End neighborhood. In addition, we have locations on Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard to better serve our clients.

Chris Vaughn-Martel received his B.A. from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School in Boston, Massachusetts.  Prior to founding Vaughn-Martel Law, Chris worked as a Clerk and First Year Associate for a small real estate firm on Boston's South Shore.

Chris lives in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston with his husband, Brian, and their son.

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Contact Christopher

Similar lawyers nearby

Charles River Law Partners, LLC
One State Street
4th Floor
Boston, MA, 02109

Reviews

3.7 / 5.0
  3 customer reviews
5 Star
 
67%
4 Star
 
0%
3 Star
 
0%
2 Star
 
0%
1 Star
 
33%
Posted by Heather | October 17, 2021
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Simply the best!
Chris was an outstanding attorney to work with during the purchase of my condo. He is an expert in the real estate and housing market. I would highly recommend working with him for any of your real estate needs. This was my first time purchasing a home and Chris aided in easing my stress and made the process seamless.
Posted by P.P | July 29, 2011
Best Divorce Lawyer
I knew that Chris was the right lawyer for me right of the bat. Chris will give you as long as you need to express your situation and explain your case to him. Besides being a good lawyer, a unique quality that Chris has is that he is a good counselor as well. He understood what I was going through and he gave me the courage to fight. He listened to me everytime, he responded to my questions within minutes via email or phone call. I never felt that a stranger was representing me and, in the end, the case was decided in my favor
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Posted by anonymous | May 20, 2014
A lawyer who seemed to work more for the opposing side than his own client
I hired Attorney Vaughn-Martel after a civil lawsuit was filed against me by an ex-girlfriend over ownership rights to a vehicle I had solely purchased during our 4+ year relationship. An injunction/ court order was filed against me stating that I was not allowed to sell the vehicle until the case was heard before a judge. I hired Vaughn-Martel in hopes that he'd be able to assist in getting the court order lifted as I was unable to afford payments on the vehicle and wanted to be able to sell it. After several months of negotiations between Vaughn-Martel and the plaintiff's attorney a Settlement Agreement was drafted by Vaughn-Martel's office and was forwarded to me for review and signature. I stated the Agreement was to my liking and was told that the Agreement would be sent out AS IS to the Plaintiff and then sent to me for signatures. Problems arose when I found out that after I had approved what I thought to be the FINAL draft of the Settlement Agreement that the Plaintiff's attorney asked that a few changes be made and Attorney Vaughn-Martel's office made these changes without my knowledge, consent or even a discussion of such. When I contacted Attorney Vaughn-Martel to indicate my disproval of such changes I was told that there was nothing they could do to change the Agreement back as the REVISED Agreement had already been mailed out to the Plaintiff for signature. I was beyond irate at this point. To make matters worse is the Plaintiff was never able to obtain financing in order to follow through on the terms of the Settlement Agreement by purchasing the vehicle to pay off my loan (which I couldn't afford to pay and faced repossession of) and to compensate me for monies she had stolen via check fraud / forgery. After the Plaintiff had breached the Agreement by not coming up with the funds within the allotted time frame as per Agreement terms, I was advised by Attorney Vaughn-Martel that selling the vehicle, paying off the loan and keeping the balance of the agreed upon sales amount for myself would be a "viable solution to complying with the agreement, getting rid of the car, and getting settlement funds, all in a way that protects my interests in the event I had to go in front of a judge." I followed my attorneys exact advice and I sold the vehicle 2 days prior to the date it was to be repossessed but only got what I owed. When I got in front of the judge though I was found in contempt of court for going against the imposed court order. Attorney Vaughn-Martel never once stated that he had advised me to do such nor did he defend me in any sense of the word. He never tried to state facts and in no way stood up for me. He seemed to have no idea what to say in court and came across as being completely unprepared, incompetent, unprofessional and unknowledgeable of how to defend a client. He let me hang out to dry and when I confronted him prior to the next hearing for my punishment in front of the judge he totally denied ever having advised me to go against the court order. I even showed him his own email to me stating his advice and he still insisted he never advised such. He then stated it would be in my best interest to allow the civil case against me along with my counterclaims against her for stolen monies be dismissed as per the Plaintiff's request or the judge could punish me by making me pay her money for selling the car. I felt as though I was being coerced into settling the case because my attorney didn't want to have to explain himself to the judge as to why he advised his client to go against a court order. Due to being in fear of what the judge might fine/punish me with and knowing I had no more money and no real counsel on my side to defend me I went against my rights and agreed to allow the case to be dismissed. I ended up with nothing more than destroyed credit & added debt due to racking up $7k in legal fees.....way more than Vaughn-Martel Law ever truly earned or deserved
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 250-350 per hour
  • Contingency 25%-40%
  • Pro bono 5 %
  • Retainer Sometimes
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.5 (Excellent)

Work Experience

  • Managing Partner
  • Charles River Law Partners, LLC
  • 2016 - Present
  • Owner
  • VAUGHN-MARTEL LAW
  • 2007 - Present
  • Associate Attorney
  • The Hawthorne Law Office
  • 2005 - 2007

Education

  • Suffolk University Law School, Boston, MA
  • Juris Doctor
  • 2006
  • Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • 2000
  • Scuola Lorenzo De' Medici
  • Florence, Italy
  • 1999
  • Simsbury High School, Simsbury, CT
  • Diploma
  • 1996
View all education

Legal Cases

  • Landlord v. Tenant
  • Following a bench trial on the parties' claims and counterclaims, damages were awarded to my clients, including triple damages and attorney's fees.
  • Same-Sex Surrogacy and Pre-Birth Order
  • Success
  • Same-Sex Divorce: Adam v. Steve
  • Favorable divorce settlement for client.

Associations

  • Victim Rights Law Center
  • Pro Bono Attorney, Rape Survivors' Law Project
  • 2006 - Present
  • Boston Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • Massachusetts Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
  • Massachusetts Lesbian and Gay Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2006 - Present
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • 2011 Shining Star Award
  • Victim Rights Law Center
  • 2011
  • Rising Star
  • Boston Magazine
  • 2009

Speaking Engagements

  • Shining Start Awards Gala
  • Introduction of Shining Star Recipient for Representation of Sexual Assault Survivors
  • 2012
  • Tenant-Landlord Workshop
  • Tenant's Rights & Strategies in the Wake of Sexual Assault/Rape
  • 2011
  • Shining Star Award Reception
  • Sexual Assault Advocacy
  • 2011
  • Hanging Your Shingle Panel Discussion
  • Panel Member
  • 2011
  • Annual Diversity Dinner Reception
  • Participant
  • 2009
  • Career Fair
  • Participant
  • 2008
  • Annual Diversity Dinner Reception
  • Participant
  • 2008
  • Annual Diversity Dinner Reception
  • Participant
  • 2007
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (30)
Given (12)
Endorse Christopher
Landlord or tenant Attorney | Sep 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Adoption Attorney | Nov 03
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Personal injury Attorney | Jul 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
Adoption Attorney | Jul 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Jul 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | May 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
Unknown Attorney | Apr 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. As evidenced by the number of questions Attorney Vaughn-Martel has so generously answered, it’s clear that he has a superior understanding of his fields of practice, and is exceptionally well thought of in the legal community."
Unknown Attorney | Dec 16
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Lawyers who serve the avvo community as much as Mr. Vaughn-Martel are few and far between. It takes passion, concern and dedication to devote so much time. You have my endorsement and kudos."
General practice Attorney | Oct 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Aug 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Mr. Vaughn-Martel is an extremely talented attorney who provides great advice. Even though I have been practicing for 24 years and I am a former judge and magistrate, I learn from him every day. I would recommend him to anyone in his area."
General practice Attorney | Feb 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Thoughtful and well considered response to the forum. Well respected by his clients."
Personal injury Attorney | Feb 14
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family Attorney | Nov 08
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"From his answers and time on Avvo, it is clear that Chris is dedicated to serving those in need of legal assistant, as well as his clients. It's rare that a lawyer spends so much valuable time assisting the community, and I applaud him for doing it at such a high level. Kudos."
Unknown Attorney | Jul 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
Real estate Attorney | May 03
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I referred some friends to this attorney when they were having difficulties with a tenant. They had already used one attorney who was not able to resolve the issue. They reported to me that not only was Christopher knowledgeable about the law, he was also able to use his interpersonal skills to deal with a very difficult person and keep the situation from escalating. I will definitely recommend him to other folks in need of services, and was very glad to get such a positive report from my friends."
Unknown Attorney | Apr 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer."
Real estate Attorney | Jan 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. His answers on AVVO are succinct and clear."
Family Attorney | Jan 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I strongly endorse Attorney Vaughn-Martel for his tremendous advice to his clients and prospective clients, his great reputation in the legal community, and his extensive legal knowledge.."
Unknown Attorney | Jan 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Christopher is a respected attorney and is well-known for his work supporting the LGBT community. We have referred clients to each other and I have heard nothing but good things about his practice. I will continue to refer clients his way."
Family Attorney | Jan 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Attorney Vaughn-Martel has been contributing to AVVO for quite some time. His grasp of the law is excellent and his answers are very insightful. I highly recommend his legal services."
View more endorsements
Personal injury
Estate planning
Estate planning
Lawsuits and disputes
Criminal defense
Divorce and separation