About Dwan Legal — real estate law Depew, New York

The Law Office of Michael T. Dwan — operating as Dwan Legal — serves landlords, property owners, and individuals throughout Erie County with focused real estate and eviction law representation from their Depew, New York location. Attorney Michael T. Dwan handles landlord-tenant disputes, eviction proceedings, real estate closings, and general civil matters for real estate law clients in Depew, New York and the broader Buffalo metro area. The firm has earned a strong reputation for prompt responsiveness, flat-fee transparency, and the ability to resolve even the most difficult landlord-tenant situations efficiently. Attorney Dwan’s deep roots in the Buffalo-area legal community are consistently cited by clients as a meaningful advantage.

Clients who came to Dwan Legal after failed self-representation in eviction proceedings describe the experience of working with Attorney Dwan as transformative — achieving tenant removal within two months after months of failed attempts on their own. Paralegal and closing attorney Karen is praised by first-time homebuyers for guiding them through the purchase process with clarity and professionalism. One client whose case was described as too complicated for larger firms found that Michael Dwan knew exactly how to handle it and was upfront about both timelines and costs from the first conversation.

What Clients Say

Reviewers describe Michael T. Dwan as knowledgeable, prompt, and genuinely invested in resolving client matters — often the go-to attorney for Buffalo-area landlords dealing with problem tenancies. Clients highlight his flat-fee pricing structure for evictions as a meaningful differentiator, his deep Erie County court connections, and his willingness to take on complicated cases that other firms turned away. Multiple clients describe him as their permanent attorney for any future legal needs.

real estate law Depew — Practice Areas & Services

• Eviction Proceedings: Attorney Dwan handles landlord-side eviction cases throughout Erie County, from initial notice through warrant of eviction, with a flat-fee structure that eliminates billing uncertainty for property owners.
• Real Estate Closings: The firm handles residential and commercial real estate closings in the Buffalo metro area, guiding buyers and sellers through New York’s required attorney closing process.
• Landlord-Tenant Disputes: Beyond evictions, Dwan Legal assists Erie County landlords with lease disputes, security deposit claims, property damage matters, and habitability-related legal issues.
• Estate Planning: The firm assists Depew-area clients with wills, powers of attorney, and basic estate planning documents to protect their assets and provide for their families.
• General Civil Matters: Dwan Legal handles a range of civil legal needs for Erie County individuals, drawing on Attorney Dwan’s extensive network of local attorney referrals for specialized matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the eviction process take in Erie County, New York?

New York’s eviction process requires specific written notices before a proceeding can be filed — typically 14 days for nonpayment of rent or longer for lease violations. Once a proceeding is filed in Erie County Housing Court, the timeline depends on whether the tenant contests the case. Uncontested matters can resolve in four to eight weeks. Contested matters take longer. Strict procedural compliance at every step is essential to avoid dismissals and delays.

Do I need an attorney for a real estate closing in New York?

New York is one of the few states that effectively requires attorneys for residential real estate closings — both buyers and sellers are expected to retain separate counsel. Your attorney reviews the purchase contract, conducts a title search, coordinates with lenders, and ensures the closing documents are accurate and protect your interests. Attempting to close without an attorney in New York creates significant legal and financial risk.

What notice must a landlord give before starting an eviction in New York?

The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. Nonpayment of rent requires a 14-day written notice before filing. For holdover tenants (lease expired) or lease violations, notices range from 30 to 90 days depending on the length of tenancy. New York’s tenant protection laws — including the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act — imposed stricter notice requirements in 2019. Failure to provide proper notice results in automatic case dismissal.