PRACTICING SINCE 1985
Clifford has been a real estate lawyer for almost 40 years focusing his practice on leasing law, rent control, and occupancy issues. He has handled hundreds of trials and appeals in his career. He lectures on various real property issues and writes for several local apartment magazines and publications. He maintains the highest ratings by Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell and has been named a Super Lawyer by San Francisco Magazine since 2005.
Clifford’s practice emphasizes real estate litigation and the defense of the rights of landlords. He has done this by representing his clients in trial and appellate courts, at mediations, arbitrations, Rent Board hearings, and planning and labor commissions. He has handled cases related to real estate fraud, construction defect claims, foreclosures, partition actions, disability access cases, easement cases, boundary disputes, transaction disputes, tenancy-in-common disputes, warranty of habitability lawsuits, claims of wrongful eviction, and more. Beyond this, Clifford regularly contributes essays, Q&As, and articles to San Francisco Apartment Magazine and other Bay Area newspapers and magazines, having written hundreds of articles, and he regularly presents legal updates to the Bar Associations of Alameda and San Francisco counties. He also gives lectures to Bay Area realtors, property managers, and landlords.
ABOUT
Clifford
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Juris Doctorate, University of San Francisco
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Bachelor of Science, Economics, University of California, Berkeley
EDUCATION
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Real Estate Litigation
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Trials and Appeals
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Rent Board Hearings and Appeals
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Commercial and Residential Landlord/Tenant Disputes
PRACTICE AREAS
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All Superior Courts in the State of California
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California's First District Court of Appeal
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California Supreme Court
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United States District Court, Northern District of California
ADMISSIONS
& COURTS
Clifford was born in Brooklyn where he grew up as a Yankees fan. He migrated to Los Angeles where he became a Dodger fan. When he moved to the San Francisco Area for college, he became an Athletics fan. He remains a resident of the East Bay but is currently looking for a new team to root for.
FUN FACTS
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Highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a reflection of having achieved the highest levels of professional skill and integrity.
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Named Real Estate Litigation Super Lawyer as published in Law & Politics and San Francisco Magazine, since 2005.
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Recipient of San Francisco Apartment Association’s 2007 President’s Award and 2023 Industry Partner Award for outstanding contributions to the rental housing industry.
HONORS & AWARDS
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San Francisco Apartment Association Magazine, 100's of articles and columns since 1988
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California Residential Landlord/Tenant Practice (CEB), 1991 through 1995 Updates, Contributing Author.
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Handling an Unlawful Detainer: Mentor Access Pack (CEB).
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Handling Unlawful Detainers: Action Guide (CEB) 1992-1995, Consulting Author.
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Evictions and Landlord/Tenant Law in California (National Business Institute) 2001.
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Residential Landlord-Tenant Law (Sterling Education Services, LLC) 2003.
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Commercial and Residential Evictions in California (Sterling Education Services, LLC) 2003.
PUBLICATIONS
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Professional Property Management Association of San Francisco
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Oakland Berkeley Association of Realtors
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National Apartment Association
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California Apartment Association
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Chinese Real Estate Association of America
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Rental Housing Association of Southern Alameda County
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San Francisco Apartment Association
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Los Angeles County Bar Association (Real Property Subsection Member)
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Alameda County Bar Association (Real Property and Litigation Subsections Member)
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California State Bar Fee Dispute Arbitrator