Frank Wei-Hong Chen
N/A
Licensed for 24 years
Law Degree
Awards
Primary Practice Area
Real Estate
Language
English
About
Not Accepting Clients. Not Practicing. Frank W. Chen (陳威宏) was born in Taipei, Taiwan, and came to the United States in 1968 at the age of 4. He received his undergraduate degree in Economics from Stanford University in 1985, and his law degree from UCLA School of Law in 1988. He practiced law in Southern California for thirty years before becoming a Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner.He was formerly a partner of the law firm of Wasserman, Comden, Casselman & Esensten, L.L.P. He has successfully tried dozens of cases to verdict, as well as obtained favorable results in arbitrations and mediations. In 2005, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, he was selected for inclusion in Southern California Super Lawyers, a distinction given only to the top 5% of all lawyers in the state. In 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, he was named as one of Pasadena Magazine's Top Attorneys. His practice focused on real estate litigation involving hotels, shopping centers, office buildings, residential complexes and single family residences. The broad spectrum of real estate matters he handled include breach of purchase agreements, breach of owner/contractor/architect contracts, broker liability, partition and sale, enforcement of mechanic's liens, construction defect, land subsidence, commercial landlord-tenant, homeowners association, specific performance, quiet title, easements, adverse possession, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, usury, and judicial foreclosures. To enable clients to control their litigation costs, he was able to handle most cases on a fixed fee basis. Throughout his career as a lawyer, he volunteered to teach numerous seminars on real estate, business, ADA accessibility defense, and employment law for various bar associations, chambers of commerce, community groups, and non-profit and professional organizations which include the Chinatown Service Center, Asian Youth Center, Chinese American Dental Society of Southern California, Chinese American Construction Professionals, Pan Pacific Real Estate Institute, Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, Culver City Chamber of Commerce, Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce, La Canada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Asian Professional Exchange (APEX), Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association, San Gabriel Valley Bar Association, Pasadena Bar Association, and Alhambra Rotary Club. Since 2005, he volunteered as a Temporary Judge (Judge Pro Tem) for the Los Angeles Superior Court. In recognition for his public service involvement, he was named a recipient of California Lawyer Magazine's Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award for 2003. He was also the recipient of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California's Pro Bono Service Award in 2003. Both of these awards were given for his volunteer work with state and local prosecutors, local elected officials, legislators, and the State Bar of California in coordinating a unique and sweeping defense to abusive litigation brought by the Trevor Law Group of Beverly Hills. In 2006, he received the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association's Judge Delbert E. Wong Distinguished Service Award. Also in 2006, he received recognition from California Assemblymember Judy Chu at the 49th Assembly District's Third Annual Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month Celebration for making significant contributions as a Community Leader. In 2007, he received the Los Angeles New Horizons Lions Club Citizen of the Year award.He is a former President of the Southern California Chinese Lawyers Association (2000-2001), a former President of the Taiwanese American Lawyers Association (2004-2005), a former Trustee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association (2001-2003), a former Board Member of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (2001-2003), a Past President of the Alhambra Chamber of Commerce (2013-2014, and board member from 2007-2017), a Past President of the San Marino City Club (2016), and a former board member of the Asian Pacific Islander Public Affairs Association's Southern California Region. In the community, he served three years as an elder for San Marino Community Church (2005-2008), and as a member of Session served as the Chair of the SMCC Personnel Committee (2007-2008). He was also a head coach for AYSO Soccer in Region 40. Hobbies include ballroom/latin/salsa dancing (former dance instructor and choreographer), gardening and landscaping, and responding to Avvo.com questions.
Language
English
Contact
Reviews
Mr. Wei-Hong Chen obviously knows the law how it applies. I have read many of his reply posts, one of which was for my own. My only regret is that he is not in Orange County. You're fortunate to have him in LA. Thank you Mr. Chen.
I asked a question re a 1542 waiver and Mr Chen answered quickly and thoroughly- I really appreciate the feedback. Thank you.
I asked a question about valid defenses to use on an answer to a complaint for allegedly unpaid cc debt. Mr. Chen was one of the attorneys who responded promptly and thoroughly. Even though some of the defenses on his response may not apply, I was impressed by his lengthy response. Thank you.
This attorney gave me very helpful specific information about my problem. I had searched the internet without success, and had also gone to our county Senior Legal Services. That attorney didn't even know that an HOA can foreclose on a homeowner, and argued that point with me, also refusing to believe that I am being unjustly harassed. I have been overwhelmed and very frightened. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and for helping.
I asked Mr. Chen for information about default judgments. I received a prompt and helpful response. I am a lawyer and was having trouble clarifying something - he cleared it up for me. Very grateful.
I have consulted Frank about his experience to possibly win a case. he spent time with me about alternative solutions and I am very unlucky that I could not hire him though I wish I could as he is too far away from geographic region, he is the one of the best attorney that think the client not just "you pay I do" commercial style, and I am pretty confident once he accept my case, there will be satisfied outcomes.
I was unfortunately involved in a civil case recently. Since it was my first time, I was really worried and depressed even during the time I was searching for legal advice from various attorney offices. After my initial consultation with Frank, I knew I was in good hands and immediately felt relieved. I had a great experience working with Frank and was very satisfied with the result. I feel that Mr.Chen is not only knowledgeable, responsive and professional, he is also kind in heart and cares about his clients. I will definitely recommend him to my friends who need any legal help.
Attorney Chen has helped me again and again with his accurate advice. I can't afford a lawyer (what defender in a debt collection case can?) BUT YOU CAN TRUST THIS ATTORNEY. I use his advice monthly as I battle a horrible debt collection case that began when Penemunde & Felix filed a common counts lawsuit against me. Attorney Chen in his numerous blogs explained what these words meant. I've been reading his advice ever since. I was never a client but I know the attorney from his advice freely given, Robert
Just called Frank for a free consultation, and as mentioned in previous reviews, he answered the call himself and really took the time to understand my issue and offer advice. I was very impressed by his demeanor and the advice he offered and would not hesitate to recommend Frank!
Called Frank for a free consult on a pressing commercial mortgage issue. He answered the call himself and took the time to explain the issues to me in a clear concise manner.... totally in keeping with his postings on AVVO. Put me at ease right away - I'll be sure to engage him for my next U.D. case. Thanks Frank.
Mr. Wei-Hong Chen obviously knows the law how it applies. I have read many of his reply posts, one of which was for my own. My only regret is that he is not in Orange County. You're fortunate to have him in LA. Thank you Mr. Chen.
I asked a question re a 1542 waiver and Mr Chen answered quickly and thoroughly- I really appreciate the feedback. Thank you.
I asked a question about valid defenses to use on an answer to a complaint for allegedly unpaid cc debt. Mr. Chen was one of the attorneys who responded promptly and thoroughly. Even though some of the defenses on his response may not apply, I was impressed by his lengthy response. Thank you.
This attorney gave me very helpful specific information about my problem. I had searched the internet without success, and had also gone to our county Senior Legal Services. That attorney didn't even know that an HOA can foreclose on a homeowner, and argued that point with me, also refusing to believe that I am being unjustly harassed. I have been overwhelmed and very frightened. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and for helping.
I asked Mr. Chen for information about default judgments. I received a prompt and helpful response. I am a lawyer and was having trouble clarifying something - he cleared it up for me. Very grateful.
I have consulted Frank about his experience to possibly win a case. he spent time with me about alternative solutions and I am very unlucky that I could not hire him though I wish I could as he is too far away from geographic region, he is the one of the best attorney that think the client not just "you pay I do" commercial style, and I am pretty confident once he accept my case, there will be satisfied outcomes.
I was unfortunately involved in a civil case recently. Since it was my first time, I was really worried and depressed even during the time I was searching for legal advice from various attorney offices. After my initial consultation with Frank, I knew I was in good hands and immediately felt relieved. I had a great experience working with Frank and was very satisfied with the result. I feel that Mr.Chen is not only knowledgeable, responsive and professional, he is also kind in heart and cares about his clients. I will definitely recommend him to my friends who need any legal help.
Attorney Chen has helped me again and again with his accurate advice. I can't afford a lawyer (what defender in a debt collection case can?) BUT YOU CAN TRUST THIS ATTORNEY. I use his advice monthly as I battle a horrible debt collection case that began when Penemunde & Felix filed a common counts lawsuit against me. Attorney Chen in his numerous blogs explained what these words meant. I've been reading his advice ever since. I was never a client but I know the attorney from his advice freely given, Robert
Just called Frank for a free consultation, and as mentioned in previous reviews, he answered the call himself and really took the time to understand my issue and offer advice. I was very impressed by his demeanor and the advice he offered and would not hesitate to recommend Frank!
Called Frank for a free consult on a pressing commercial mortgage issue. He answered the call himself and took the time to explain the issues to me in a clear concise manner.... totally in keeping with his postings on AVVO. Put me at ease right away - I'll be sure to engage him for my next U.D. case. Thanks Frank.