$ 250-300 per hour
Michael Ian Werner
About Michael
Biography
Michael Werner represents individuals and businesses all across Pennsylvania. His practice focuses on estate planning/administration, general business matters, and nearly all facets of real estate law. Mr. Werner has developed a large property assessment appeal practice. Every year he successfully reduces and defends hundreds of residential and commercial property owners’ tax burdens. Mr. Werner frequently speaks and writes on the topic of Property Assessments.
Mr. Werner, a Centre County native, received his B.A. in Biology from the University of Vermont in 1997 and J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law in 2000. After law school, Mr. Werner worked as an associate at Abernathy, Auld & Young, P.C. in Pittsburgh’s North Hills until 2006 when he co-founded ZunderWerner, LLP. Ten years later, in 2016, Mr. Werner partnered with Philip Goldblum and Steven Sablowsky at the law firm of Goldblum Sablowsky in 2016.
In 2005, Mr. Werner was appointment by Judge R. Stanton Wettick to the Allegheny County Special Landlord/Tenant Arbitration Panel. On a regular basis, Mr. Werner serves as an arbitrator where he presides over landlord/tenant cases.
Mr. Werner has a unique ability to explain complicated legal issues in a manner that his clients can easily understand and use.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Real Estate
30%
25 years
Landlord or Tenant
25%
25 years
Estate Planning
20%
25 years
Business
15%
25 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Pennsylvania for 24 years
State: Pennsylvania
Acquired: 2001
No misconduct found
Location
Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick & Gefsky
444 Liberty Ave, Suite #2200, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222
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Michael Ian Werner's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
163 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (163)
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Practice Areas
Tax (72)
Real Estate (57)
Appeals (22)
Estate Planning (21)
Lawsuits & Disputes (13)
Residential (13)
State, Local And Municipal Law (10)
Wills & Living Wills (10)
Administrative Law (4)
Power Of Attorney (4)
Business (3)
Landlord & Tenant (3)
Contracts & Agreements (2)
Limited Liability Company (LLC) (2)
Commercial (1)
Corporate & Incorporation (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (79)
Practice Area Knowledge (72)
Advocacy (45)
Recommendation (38)
Responsiveness (38)
Communication Style (34)
Cost of Services (33)
Professionalism (28)
General Knowledge (26)
Character & Conduct (11)
Trustworthiness (9)
Punctuality (6)
Free Consultations (3)
Compassion (2)
Payment Plans (2)
Staff & Support (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 13 reviews | Residential
Posted by anonymous | November 04, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Residential
Poor representation
Michael represented me in my assessment appeal. I won’t bore you with the specifics, but I did not feel that he put any preparation into my case. He simply told me that it was unusual that they didn’t look favorably upon any of the evidence regarding my house, and that if I wanted him to pursue it a...
Posted by Philip | October 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Residential
He made a crappy situation better
Michael helped me to fight an increased value assessment (hence tax increase) on my home. He represented me at the hearings, kept me abreast of things along the way and helped to mitigate the increase that was being sought.
Posted by Sandy | February 27, 2017 | Residential
Real Estate Information
My step-daughter and I went to Michael for help on a convaluted home ownership issue. He was able to give us a lot of good advice on how to handle this issue. In fact, he gave us a couple of ways to go. We are very grateful for his help in clarifying this issue for us. I would recommend him whole hea...
Posted by Nathan | August 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Residential
Excellent experience
I hired Michael to fight a property assessment appeal for my newly bought home. Michael was able to help even though there was short notice. We did have some communication hurdles in the beginning, but Michael made up for that with his quality service and friendly attitude. Michael was available to a...
Posted by anonymous | August 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Residential
property tax assessment help
Did a great job of keeping our property value assessment unchanged to prevent a big jump in property taxes when we recently bought our home.
Michael Ian Werner's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"As an attorney myself, I was very pleased with Attorney Werner's work on my real estate assessment appeal. I will certainly recommend him to any of my family or friends."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Very talented in handling Real Estate tax appeals. Works efficiently and professionally. Maintains an ideal level of client contact and is well respected by his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is an intelligent and zealous advocate for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a very knowledgeable attorney. I highly recommend his services."
"I have had the pleasure and honor to work for Michael Werner as a law clerk, and would recommend him to anyone. He is an excellent attorney who gives his utmost attention and care to every single one of his clients. Mr. Werner has a vast knowledge of Estate planning, Landlord/Tenant disputes, Property Assessment Appeals, and Business formations. My experience at his firm has taught me important skills that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career as an attorney. Michael pays careful attention to each and everyone of his client's needs, and I highly recommend him to anyone seeking legal services."
"I highly endorse Michael Werner for general practice matters as well as for real estate and landlord/tenant law."
"I endorse Michael Werner. He is top of mind when I am asked for a referral for the types of real property tax assessment appeals that Mike handles. I have found Mike to really know tax assessment law, and to operate with the highest ethical standards in his relationships with clients, members of the tax assessment appeal bar, and the Boards and Courts in which he practices."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to real estate assessment appeals. He is also reliable and a hard worker."
"Michael simply is the best when it comes to residential tax appeals in and around the Pittsburgh area. Michael is razor-sharp, creative and energetic. He has brought his extensive experience and expertise to bear to successfully resolve hundreds of tax appeals. I refer my own clients to Michael -- a lawyer's highest praise -- and I know that they are in good hands when Michael is working on their cases."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Michael on several estate planning matters for clients and have found him to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have known Michael for several years and never hesitate in referring him an estate-related matter. Last fall, he swiftly processed an estate for a friend whose mother passed suddenly without a will. I also count on Michael to draft wills and other estate documents for my individual business clients. Michael is amongst my most trusted colleagues."
"I have known Michael for more than a decade. He has all of the qualities that clients want in their lawyer: he is honest, conscientious, and dilligent. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I know him to be a hard-working, honest, fair, and collegial adversary and colleague. He ans his partner run a very successful and respected firm."
"Michael is well respected in the legal and general community. I have referred several matters to him and sought his feedback on estate matters before as well, all with excellent results."
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Experience
Honors
2018
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2017
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2004
Wechsler Leadership Institute, United Jewish Federation
Work Experience
2022 - Present
Partner, Strassburger Mckenna Gutnick & Gefsky
2005 - Present
Arbitrator, Allegheny County's Special Landlord/Tenant Arbitration Panel
2016 - 2022
Partner, Goldblum Sablowsky, LLC
2016 - 2022
Attorney, Participating Attorney With ARAG
2007 - 2022
Participating Attorney, Hyatt Legal Plans
2006 - 2016
Partner, ZunderWerner, LLP
2004 - 2008
Attorney, AARP Legal Services Network By GE
2000 - 2006
Associate, Abernethy, Auld & Young, P.C.
Associations
2022 - Present
Penn FutureBoard Member
2021 - Present
Hillel JUC of PittsburghBoard Member
2005 - Present
Arbitrator on Allegheny County's Special Landlord/Tenant Arbitration PanelArbitrator
2001 - Present
Pennsylvania Bar AssociationMember
2001 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2001 - Present
Allegheny County Bar AssociationMember
2007 - 2010
BNI, Pittsburgh City ChapterMember
2005 - 2010
JCC of Greater Pittsburgh, Camp CommitteeMember
2004 - 2005
UJF Lunch and Learn SeriesChair
Sample of Legal Cases
Hundreds of Alleghney County Assessment Appeals
Lowered Property Taxes
Education
2000
Duquesne University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
University of Vermont
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2017
Reducing Real Estate Taxes with Assessment Appels
Property Assessment Appeals
2015
Introduction to Estate Planning
Estate Planning
2015
Introduction to Estate Planning
Estate Planning
2014
Planning for Retirement
Estate Planning for Retirement
2014
Introduction to Estate Planning
Estate Planning
2012
Association of Municipal and School Solicitors
Allegheny County Reassessment: Preparing Your Case
2011
Stock Shoppers
2012 Allegheny County Reassessment
2011
Peters Township Howard Hanna
2012 Allegheny County Reassessment
2011
Introduction to Estate Planning
Estate Planning
2011
Explaining Allegheny County Assessment Appeals
Allegheny County Assessment Appeals
2011
Coldwell Banker Real Estate South Hills Office
2012 Allegheny County Reassessment
2011
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Commercial Division
2012 Allegheny County Reassessment
2011
Bedford County Taxpayers Association
Bedford County Property Assessments
2011
Alleghney County Bar Association Real Property Section
2012 Allegheny County Reassessment
2010
How an Assessment Appeal can impact the sale or purchase of real estate
Property Assessment Appeals
2010
Appealing your Bedford County Property Assessment to the Court of Common Pleas
Property Assessment Appeals
2007
Estate Planning 101
Estate Planning
2006
Estate Planning 101
Estate Planning
2005
Howard Hanna Seniors Seminar
Estate Planning for Seniors
2005
Estate Planning 101
Estate Planning
2004
Estate Planning 101
Estate Planning
2003
Estate Planning 101
Estate Planning
Publications
2010
SMC Business Councils Government News
A Primer on Alleghney County Property Assessment Appeals
2004
Lost in Law?
Designation of a Standby Guardian (The piece missing from most Estate Plans)
2004
Lost in Law?
Planning Your Exit From Your Business
2004
Lost in Law?
Plan Your Estate So The State Doesn't Plan For You
2004
Lost in Law?
Not Everyone Needs A Will
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Where does property line begin on my property with driveway easement on right side and next door next on left side?
03 Apr 2017
Q&A
Are there any grounds for challenging a beneficiary listed on a life insurance policy if the beneficiary is mentally unstable?
03 Apr 2017
Q&A
Can I break/terminate the lease if the landlord did not disclosure asked information?
03 Apr 2017
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
Allegheny County Reassessment Update (02/14/2012)
14 Feb 2012
Legal Guide
Allegheny County Reassessment Update (02/03/2012)
14 Feb 2012
Legal Guide
Allegheny County 2012 Reassessment Update (12/29/2011)
04 Jan 2012