Stephen Joel Crane

Back in the early or mid-1980’s, I was one of eight apartment owners who sued the local County for requiring that all property owners in the entire local area connect their property to the new sewer system and stop using the existing, approved and functioning on-site septic systems. Attorney Ste...ve Crane sued on behalf of Eight Apartment Complex owners and won! I was one of Steve's clients with my apartment complex of 28 units in that lawsuit against the County to not hook-up to the County sewer system. Steve’s argument was that the Local Improvement District that the County adopted stated that everyone in that area of the County must hook-up to the new sewer system and by doing so each property would have an increase in value thereby supporting the County’s argument requiring all property owners to hook-up to the sewer system. However, Steve, along with testimony and documentation from the eight apartment owner’s, Steve proved that tenants don’t care where their sewage goes once they flush; they will never pay more for the sewage going down to a County Sewer System rather than it going to an on-site septic system. As long as it flushes and the sewage goes down the drain, no one would pay any increased rents based on those facts. Additionally, since sewers would likely bring new apartments with more competition to the existing owners who would likely have to reduce rents to stay competitive with the new construction; thereby actually lowering the value of our apartment buildings. Steve’s arguments won. I avoided paying the approximately $28,000 in sewer hookup fees to the County sewer assessment, plus I avoided the costs of tearing up my lawns and existing septic system to put new pipes to the sewer system in the street; estimated savings at about another $28,000. With the time value of money, the approximately $56,000 at an inflation rate of just 3% would be equal to approximately $165,000 today! However, the biggest factor is the right to continue use of the on-site septic system thereby avoiding us from paying the on-going, monthly sewer fees of $19.00 per month per apartment unit or $532 per month for my 28 unit complex. In Today’s dollars, Steve Crane’s lawsuit saved us approximately another $405,000 in monthly sewer service fees! So Steve Crane saved me about $600,000 over these past years. Thanks Steve Crane for being such a strong Attorney.

I have known Steve for over 25 years and have been represented by him on a number of occasions over the years in complex, sensitive & politically charged issues that required a solid refined review of the law, development of strategy and implementation of same to reach a successful conclusion. Steve ...has always been responsive, 'right on the money' in both his legal opinions and strategy recommendations. I've appreciated knowing Steve and respect his opinion. His billings have always been more than fair. I would recommend Steve to any commercial real estate developer seeking legal representation from a practical lawyer with his own development experience, an objective eye and mindful of cost effective results.