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Tom Harold Elke
About Tom
Biography
A San Francisco native, Mr. Elke has counseled thousands of Bay Area residents on tenant law and renters-rights issues. For the past four years, Mr. Elke has been recognized as a Northern California “Rising Star” by SuperLawyers Magazine. He has also been named an Outstanding Volunteer Attorney by the San Francisco Bar Association’s Volunteer Legal Services Program. Mr. Elke received his bachelor’s degree from Harvard University in 2001 and his law degree from University of California, Los Angeles in 2005. While in law school, Mr. Elke was active in the El Centro legal aid program and received an Imelda Rosenthal Bar Scholarship for Public Interest Law from the California State Bar. He has helped clients secure millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements and has personally tried over twenty-five jury trials to verdict.
Practice Areas
2
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 20 years
State: California
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
Elke & Merchant LLP
870 Market Street, Suite 1170, San Francisco, CA, 94102
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Tom Harold Elke's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
9 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Responsiveness
Posted by darren | March 06, 2014 | Landlord & Tenant
Tom Elke
I called Tom for advice when my landlord sent me a 60-day notice to terminate my tenancy. He's been extremely responsive, thoughtful, and reassuring. During my free consultation he poured over the details of multiple legal documents and gave me specific, actionable advice. His guidance has helped ...
Posted by Lisa Marie | February 23, 2014 | Business
Superb with a smile
Tom Elke is a superb lawyer. I sought counseltation when opening a small business recently. He was extremely knowledgable and was always quick to reply to any questions or concerns I had. He is thorough, sharp, and professional.
Posted by Gina | January 31, 2014 | Landlord & Tenant
Top Notch Attorney
Tom Elke is top notch. He kept me well-informed of every development in my case. He was aggressive to the very end, resulting in the best possible outcome. Tom Elke is by far the best tenant attorney in San Francisco.
Posted by anonymous | November 05, 2013 | Landlord & Tenant
Superb Attorney
Tom was of great help and support in my unlawful detainer case. My master tenant/landlord had hired a high profile lawyer to evict me. I needed someone very aggressive and charismatic to have a chance to prevail. Tom and Alex Merchant were always very prompt to answer my questions. They both atte...
Tom Harold Elke's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer, because Tom Elke is a great attorney and a very classy person. He is brave, generous and competent."
"Mr. Elke is an experienced and well-respected attorney. His valuable knowledge and experience with tenants' rights in the Bay Area makes him an exceptional advocate for his clients. I strongly endorse him."
"Tom Elke is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being I have ever known in my life."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. Tom and I worked on the same floor and I've spoken and consulted with him and his partner Alex Merchant on many things. He is knowledgeable, outspoken, and a passionate advocate. He and Alex are the first people I would go to in a Landlord Tenant dispute."
"Tom is a tenacious trial attorney well versed in the intricacies of the law. I've worked with Tom on a number of matters and he consistently provides the highest levels of service for his clients."
Alexander Merchant
Landlord or tenant lawyer
Selby Lighthill
Personal injury lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2015
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2014
Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award, Bar Association of San Francisco
2014
Volunteer Appreciation, AIDS Legal Referral Panel
2014
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2013
Rising Star, SuperLawyers
2013
Outstanding Volunteer Attorney, Bar Association of San Francisco
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Partner, Elke & Merchant
2011 - 2013
Of Counsel, Tobener Law Center
Associations
2013 - Present
Aids Legal Referral PanelVolunteer Attorney
2013 - Present
San Francisco Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2011 - Present
Bar Association of San FranciscoMember
2011 - Present
San Francisco Tenant's UnionCounselor
Sample of Legal Cases
Confidential Settlement
$290,000
Confidential Settlement
$233,000 settlement
Confidential Settlement
$140,000 settlement
Bjerke v. John Crane Inc.
$2.1 million jury award
Confidential Settlement
$5.4 million settlement
Confidential Settlement
Settled for $500,000
Education
2005
University of California - Los Angeles
JD - Juris Doctor
2001
Harvard University
AB - Bachelor's Degree
Speaking Engagements
2015
2015
BASF MCLE
Cost-Effective Trial Techniques
Languages
English
Spanish
Russian
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can my landlord raise the rent for using our dining room as bedroom?
09 Apr 2014
Q&A
Can I break my 12 month lease on 2nd month, if the property is too cold to live in?
15 Nov 2013
Q&A
Are landlords required to remove the damaged popcorn ceiling which contains asbestos? Or can we end lease without penalty
05 Nov 2013