Utilizing extensive governmental agency experience and environmental science background, Ms. Ariel has substantially concentrated her practice in matters relating to real estate and real property law. We believe that economics and environmental science support each other and are both necessary for effective resolution of existing conflicts as well as for continued wise use of monetary and environmental resources. Business factors can and should be considered in governmental regulatory activities; personal interests can be compatible with business interests. We make effective and professional legal representation our number one goal in every case.

Who we represent – Our clients include condominium declarants, condominium associations, housing cooperatives, residential homeowners, businesses, builders, developers, contractors, subcontractors, realtors, abutters, neighbors, purchasers, sellers, owners of vacant land and vacation property, commercial property owners, leaseholders.

We represent both plaintiffs and defendants, claimants and respondents, in Rhode Island real estate and real property law in arbitrations, hearings, trials, mediations, negotiations and settlements. We appear before all Courts, before Municipal Zoning or Planning Boards, and before State Boards and Agencies, such as RI Contractors’ Registration Board, RI Department of Environmental Management, RI Coastal Resources Management Council.

What we do –
Condominium Declaration and ByLaws, Conversion, Governance, Enforcement & Foreclosures, both Residential and Commercial

Equity Actions such as Adverse Possession, Partition, Easements, Rights-of-Way and Boundary Disputes, Water Rights, Riparian Uses, Specific Performance, Rescission, Trespass, Foreclosures

Legal Actions relating to Property Damages, Construction Defects, Nuisance, Breach of Contract, Premises Liability, Mechanics’ Liens

Landlord-Tenant and Leasehold Actions

Governmental Actions relating to Development Plan Reviews and Zoning Variances, State D.E.M. or C.R.M.C. Contested Cases

Preparation or Negotiation of Commercial and Residential Purchase & Sales Agreements, Deeds, Liens, Easements, Property Management Agreements, Titles, and other Transaction or Conveyance Documents

Some representative matters handled include representing true owners of island property against a claim of adverse possession; property owners with rotted underground water pipes; residential homeowners whose ground water supply had been contaminated by a Town’s road salt storage pile; appeal of D.E.M. action for solid waste violations; homeowners with a burst oil tank from an overfill by the oil company; homeowners against a builder for breach of contract, construction defects and storm water intrusion onto property and into the structure; defrauded homeowner seeking return of converted sales proceeds; partition of real property between unmarried persons; defense of condominium association against claims of easement encroachment and adverse possession; defense of condominium association against claims for property damage by mold and water intrusion; declaratory judgment regarding amendment of condominium association Declaration, ByLaws; negotiation of lease on industrial property with hazardous waste under Brownsfield provisions; clean-up and remediation on real property contaminated with hazardous wastes; defense of building contractors against claims of improper work and mechanics liens; preparation of conservation easement, rights-of-way on undeveloped property for purchaser; and mediating disputes regarding purchase and sale transactions, transfers of property, and common tenants’ interest in joint property.