Shivani Shah is a first generation, born and raised in Massachusetts. She did her undergraduate studies in business at Boston University and obtained a law degree from Suffolk Law.After serving for three years as a paralegal at Boston Scientific Corporation researching and interpreting FDA regulations, Ms. Shah progressed into private practice, acting as a paralegal at a small firm in Wakefield where she focused on real estate issues, conveyancing, estate planning, probating and settling estates, and business organization. As an associate at the same firm, while sharpening her negotiation and transactional skills, she was involved in countless real estate closings and title examinations, frequently curing title defects in order to meet closing deadlines. Ms. Shah is a founding partner of Hurley Shah and concentrates her practice in real estate transactions, estate planning, risk management and asset protection

I have been practicing law for over ten years and have dealt mostly in residential real estate transactions.

No, I wanted to be a psychiatrist but the thought of medical school discouraged me. Strangely, in my profession, many times I do feel like a psychologist/counselor.  

Our law firm offers a variety of services but I personally deal with mostly residential real estate.

When you are buying or selling a home it is important to have counsel.

Yes, I believe it is important. I have learned so much over the past ten years. Every transaction is different and there are a variety of different issues that can arise so hiring an attorney with experience is beneficial in that they can usually tackle these issues with finesse versus and attorney who rarely deals in real estate. Although it is transaction it is most certainly a specialty.

I recommend that all my buyer clients do their due diligence on a property they are interested in. This includes checking with the Town offices to make sure all permits have been signed off on, the property is or is not located in a  flood zone and confirming the property is not affected by wetland or conservation restrictions. It is not enough to rely on broker or seller representations on these matters.

The Boston area market is in a very strange place where inventory is very low so buyers are paying significantly over asking price to just be considered. Most properties will have multiple offers with inspection and mortgage contingencies waived. If you are a buyer in this market I recommend that you truly understand the consequences of the risks involved in waiving these contingencies when submitting an offer.

I try to provide legal services to local charities and in my little free time I enjoy spending it with my family, golfing and eating candy.