Your Preeminent Litigation and Real Estate Law Firm in Philadelphia, PA
COMPASSION. TALENT. RESULTS.
HARPER J. DIMMERMAN. THE TRIAL AND REAL ESTATE ATTORNEY.
Harper J. Dimmerman, Attorney at Law
Harper J. Dimmerman, Attorney at Law, holds the highest rating of his peers with Martindale-Hubbell (AV Preeminent since 2009) and has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Star on multiple occasions, amongst other honors. He is a lecturer to other attorneys, a former professor in Temple University's Fox School of Business, a proven entrepreneur, the author of dozens of published legal articles with a prominent ALM news source, a bestselling novelist, and highly accomplished attorney.
Mr. Dimmerman considers a wide array of Pennsylvania litigation and real estate law matters. Mr. Dimmerman has also reintroduced family law into the practice, an area with a significant personal connection. He has begun accepting estate law matters and is also focusing on cultivating legal malpractice cases going into 2023.
His lectures to other attorneys have related to real estate law, title insurance and landlord-tenant subjects; he has received praise from his contemporaries, those fulfilling their educational requirements and furthering their own understanding of these complex topics. In his capacity as an adjunct professor at Temple University for roughly a decade, he taught hundreds of undergraduate business students various areas of the law, with a special emphasis on myriad real estate law subjects. In fact, his courses were a prerequisite for aspiring REALTORS, as he possesses an intense understanding of both contract law and the regulations governing real estate brokerage in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 2016, he was awarded "Best Adjunct Professor of the Year for Legal Studies," an incredible honor. His time at Temple University was arguably his most rewarding endeavor to date. Dimmerman PC's consulting arm assists individuals and corporations, with value-added, bespoke solutions to difficult legal questions. Mr. Dimmerman is well-respected for his singular and highly thoughtful legal strategies and cost-benefit analyses.
Attorney Dimmerman is a Mediator (ADR) with the Greater Philadelphia Association of Realtors, due to his well-regarded mastery of real estate law topics. He is also an Approved Attorney with Penn Attorneys, a division of First American Title, which permits him to offer title insurance services in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Over the course of fifteen years, he made significant contributions to “The Legal Intelligencer,” Pennsylvania's primary, daily resource for other attorneys in search of cutting-edge legal developments. Mr. Dimmerman has also been licensed as a REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway on two separate occasions, where he acquired practical insight into the profession, giving him yet another edge in real estate negotiations, contract drafting and real estate litigation.
He attended Vassar College and achieved a B.A. in English Literature, and graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law, where he was an Editor of the Business Law Review and won an important Legal Research and Writing prize. While in law school, he interned for a notable entertainment executive and a federal Judge for the Southern District of Florida. He also served as a law clerk to a prominent Miami-based law firm while completing his Juris Doctor. Mr. Dimmerman attended The Wharton School (undergraduate, evening division) and Sophia University in Tokyo Japan, where he taught English, studied the Japanese language and business subjects. He also successfully completed a Blockchain Technologies Executive Program with MIT in early 2022.
Attorney Dimmerman, along with hand-selected former associates at various intervals, has successfully represented hundreds of clients since 2004. Over the course of nearly two decades, his law firm has achieved extraordinary results for a diverse array of sophisticated individuals and corporate entities. When the time came to select a Philadelphia real estate attorney for an entity owned by a world-famous musician, that celebrity's team secured Mr. Dimmerman's services. Top-notch attorneys have sought out his services as well, both for their own civil needs and those of their friends and loved ones. If you are considering retaining Mr. Dimmerman, he can provide testimonials, directly from the source, giving potential clients an opportunity to personalize inquiries and ensure absolute comfort and confidence in their vetting process.
As for legal fees, which are obviously of great import, Mr. Dimmerman is relatively flexible, in terms of both methods of payment as well as individualized fee structures. His chief objectives are access and fairness for both the attorney and the client. Understandably, Mr. Dimmerman does not provide free legal advice or free consultations, notwithstanding limited exceptions for consideration for trial matters. Hand-tailored, paid consultations are available upon request, which sometimes suffice for smaller legal matters or situations where full engagement is neither feasible nor essential.
Time limitations for litigation matters are absolutely essential in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as defense counsel will look first to these, in an effort to have your lawsuit dismissed on technical grounds, even where it might otherwise have robust legal support. Thus, if you are suing or being sued, you should act swiftly and in some cases, immediately, lest you run the risk of being thrown out of court, if you will, on a technicality. Although statutes of limitation vary depending upon the case, here are just some of the key time limits you must be aware of in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: one year to sue a home inspector, one year for defamation, invasion of privacy and such other related claims, two years for fraud and negligence, four years for breach of contract and six years for consumer protection. Assume the clock begins to run from the earliest possible date, as defense counsel will invariably argue that you waited too long to commence suit or should have reasonably been aware of your right to file suit sooner. In other words, any delay, however slight, can make the difference between a recovery, no recovery or in the case of a defense, a costly judgment being taken against you. Again, this list of filing deadlines is by no means exhaustive and it is recommendable to confer with Dimmerman PC with your civil matter inquiries as expeditiously as possible.
If Mr. Dimmerman cannot assist, for whatever reason, he will endeavor to refer you to another law firm, as you conduct your own due diligence in making such an important selection. Dimmerman PC shall be entitled to a referral fee in those situations, consistent with Pennsylvania's Rules of Professional Conduct. No attorney-client is ever formed until a written fee agreement has been executed between Mr. Dimmerman and the client. These agreements can be made readily available for digital execution, upon request. Finally, non-clients are not permitted to submit potentially privileged and/or confidential communications without Attorney Dimmerman's express written consent.
On a Mission
TRIAL LAW. LEGAL MALPRACTICE. REAL ESTATE LAW. ESTATE LAW. FAMILY LAW. CONSULTING.
In such a hyper-competitive environment, Mr. Dimmerman recognizes the importance of absolute excellence, and always aims to deliver unparalleled results. He understands that you have choices and has the utmost respect for his contemporaries in the Pennsylvania legal community. His approach to the practice of law can only be characterized as both innovative and tenacious by those who know him. Due to Mr. Dimmerman's unwavering compassion and empathy, clients genuinely know they are family: he represents all clients as if they were his own family. Attorney Dimmerman brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to each and every interaction, applying a multifaceted perspective at all junctures of representation. Dimmerman PC's practice areas are extensive, ranging from complex civil litigation, legal malpractice litigation, residential and commercial real estate acquisitions and leasing, emotionally charged family law litigation, estate matters, and highly nuanced consulting services.
It is absolutely paramount that all clients are empowered to make the most cost-effective decisions, at all essential aspects of representation. Effective communication is vital and this is also one of Mr. Dimmerman's most obvious strengths. As an educator, writer and mentor, he has been honing these communication skills for many years. Indubitably, many of his clients would concur that his responsiveness and clarity is second to none.
Notably and perhaps atypically, Attorney Dimmerman discourages litigation where a proper cost-benefit analysis indicates a more productive outcome. This is a critical aspect Dimmerman PC's consulting division, namely helping clients to exhaust all legal options before committing to emotionally taxing and expensive litigation. Despite the tendency for representation to become emotionally charged, he is also committed to not letting those same feelings impact his judgment or the critical dissemination of sound legal advice. An attorney is responsible for grounding advocacy on the law and evidence, not permitting the whims of litigants to determine the manner of representation. He will never let a client's desire to fight on principle interfere his process and perception of the matter. In fact, Mr. Dimmerman has no qualms about terminating a relationship with a client intent on undermining the representation or insisting upon disregarding the very advice they sought in the first instance. An attorney shall never offer false hope or set unrealistic expectations; such an approach is anathema to him. This also relates to fee quotations, which he takes extremely seriously. A client deserves to know the truth about possible fees, before they commit to retaining counsel, as legal expenses can be significant for protracted and complex matters. Without realistic quotes, a necessary and proper cost-benefit analysis becomes nearly impossible.
Dimmerman PC has proudly served the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania communities since 2004, also having provided pro bono services to less fortunate individuals. Mr. Dimmerman began practicing law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 2002 and has also practiced in the state of New Jersey. He is admitted to practice in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania as well, for federal court matters. Although he elected not to practice law in Florida, he successfully passed the Bar Examination there after graduating from law school with honors.
Mr. Dimmerman, Attorney at Law, holds the highest rating of his peers (AV) with Martindale-Hubbell and has been named as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer "Rising Star" on several occasions, amongst other honors. He has been an entrepreneur, owned a title insurance agency (he currently offers title insurance as an Approved Attorney) and serves as a Mediator for the Greater Philadelphia Association of REALTORS. He was a licensed REALTOR with Berkshire Hathaway on two separate occasions, which gives him a competitive edge and even more insight into both real law transactions and litigation. As a leading real estate attorney, he considers nearly all real estate issues for potential representation.
Mr. Dimmerman has adeptly handled a whole host of litigation matters. These include but are not limited to the following subjects: legal malpractice, commercial disputes, defamation and invasion of privacy, residential and commercial landlord-tenant, confessions of judgment, easements, party wall litigation, contractor disputes, security deposit claims, seller disclosure fraud, consumer fraud, toxic mold, home inspector liability, breach of contract, conversion, injunctive relief, declaratory judgments, partition, adverse possession, real estate brokerage negligence, boundary disputes, specific performance, commercial litigation, sheriff's sale matters, tax redemptions, mechanics' liens , condominium and homeowners, deeds, easements, and title insurance matters.
He has provided foreclosure defense aid, engaged in workouts with residential mortgage lenders and represented a world-famous musician-investor for many years. He currently provides support to a dynamic, multinational company. He has assisted realtors with commission dispute issues and settled complex cases. Mr. Dimmerman recently represented a commercial property owner in a commission dispute with a commercial brokerage firm. He has arbitrated a 203(k) contractor dispute and has represented parties at mediations and arbitrations. He previously represented a real estate agent who was sued in a personal injury case. He represented a home inspection company in a similar personal injury context, where a severe injury was alleged. He has assisted borrowers with deeds in lieu of foreclosure, timeshare issues and condominium disputes as well.
Attorney Dimmerman tends to limit his litigation practice to Philadelphia County, although he will consider matters throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on a case-by-case basis. If Mr. Dimmerman tenders a referral to another practitioner or firm, he reserves the right to accept a referral fee in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Professional Conduct; this is common practice. Naturally, no attorney-client relationship is formed by merely contacting him; a written representation or consultation agreement must be executed.
Perhaps his proudest victory was a Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) appeal, which he tried before a Philadelphia jury many years ago. He was able to keep a lovely person in her home, in spite of a draconian lease and very challenging, yet not insurmountable, legal issues. In a different case, brought by Licenses and Inspections, he settled a several hundred thousand dollar case for drastically less. In another meaningful litigation matter, he assisted a high school student to achieve a favorable settlement, within the context of legal malpractice. In another, he zealously represented approximately thirty luxury condominium owners in a suit against a significant developer, amongst other defendants; Mr. Dimmerman is especially proud of that outcome.
As for transactional matters, Mr. Dimmerman has drafted numerous residential and commercial contracts over the years. Inarguably, he possesses an intense mastery over nearly all real estate law subjects. He relishes protecting the interests of a buyer or seller in a deal and will never permit a realtor's arguably myopic focus on commissions interfere with his clients' legal rights, which includes ensuring that a deposit is not inflated, that the true condition of real estate is known prior to settlement (including receiving the Seller's Disclosure Statement before the offer is submitted) and that one is not stuck in an unfortunate deal, despite believing that the contingencies would offer a simple and painless means of extricating oneself. In Pennsylvania, an executory contract is entirely binding and fully enforceable. Mr. Dimmerman's experience with the title insurance world, as a former licensed REALTOR and having had a contract with the City of Philadelphia (reviewing zoning hearing transcripts and drafting Findings for appeals) gives him the competitive edge you need and deserve, as does the fact that he actually litigates real estate disputes. After all, would you want a non-litigator drafting agreements, if that attorney struggles to foresee the potential litigation issues stemming from that very same contract?
