Ascolese Law Group

Mr. Ascolese represented us very recently in a real estate transaction in Hoboken. We found him to be knowledgeable, courteous, and most professional. We would definitely recommend him for representation in any legal matter.

I found Pat to be competent, professional and very knowledgeable. He looks out for his client’s interests.

Patrick was the seller’s lawyer for a real estate transaction in Hoboken in which I was the buyer. I found his actions to be unethical and rude.
First example, during the process of doing an inspection, I found a number of items that needed to be fixed in the apartment, including electrical outlets that didn’t work or plumbing fixtures that did not provide hot water. My lawyer provided the list to Patrick to review with his client. Several days letter, I get a letter back saying the seller would offer $ 400. I didn’t agree with this low amount, so had my lawyer reply to thank them for the offer and ask for a realistic offer to address the issues, which my builder estimated at over $ 3,000. I received a letter back saying the contract was cancelled since we could not come to agreement. The right to cancel is clearly a buyer’s right not the seller’s as per the signed contract. When my lawyer pointed this out, he changed the letter to say the seller was now offering $ 0 and that this was «non-​negotiable».
Second example, the condo association asked for unpaid special assessments from me in the closing documents. When my lawyer contacted Patrick about this, and pointed out where in the contract the seller agreed to take responsibility for this, he rudely lectured my lawyer and broker on not focusing on semantics since the seller only agreed to paying «assessments» and that a «special assessment» isn’t a part of «assessments.» I thought using this argument was unethical; I did not end up paying this amount.
I have worked with more than 100 lawyers in my 10 year career in real estate in Manhattan. I have never had an experience like this one. I would not recommend him to others.