A foreclosure lawyer is a lawyer who specializes in handling foreclosure proceedings. Foreclosure lawyers may work for banks and other financial institutions processing foreclosures as they are required. They can also work on the other side of the process, advocating for clients who are contesting a foreclosure or attempting to negotiate. Rates of pay for foreclosure lawyers vary depending on where they practice and how many years of experience they have.

Like other legal professionals, a foreclosure lawyer must attend law school and pass the bar in order to be allowed to practice. In the later years of law school, the lawyer takes elective courses that provide a grounding in the areas of the law that pertain to foreclosure. Once qualified to practice, the lawyer can apply to work for law firms or the legal departments of financial institutions, or opt to practice independently.

Foreclosure lawyers who work for financial institutions assist with the processing of foreclosures. They establish the protocol for foreclosing on property to ensure that foreclosures are performed legally. This includes drafting the letters that are sent to customers and preparing legal filings related to the foreclosure. If clients opt to contest the foreclosure, the foreclosure lawyer will be involved, including if the case proceeds to court.

Lawyers who work for individuals assist people who are threatened with foreclosure or who are in foreclosure. The foreclosure lawyer confirms that the financial institution is complying with the law at every stage of the process and can assist the clients with fighting the foreclosure. For example, people may have been fraudulently misled about the nature of the loan, in which case the foreclosure lawyer can help to prepare a case and to prevent foreclosure while the case is pending.

In these cases, the foreclosure lawyer acts as an advocate for the customers. The lawyer will handle any negotiations or discussions with the lender, including responding to paperwork and filing claims against the lender. This can include helping people negotiate a loan modification or other concession to help them stay in their homes.

When people are threatened with foreclosure or think that they might need to negotiate a short sale, it is advisable to bring a foreclosure lawyer in as soon as possible. Finding a foreclosure lawyer can be a challenge, as some unscrupulous practitioners prey on people who are in economically vulnerable positions. Resources like lawyer reviews, bar associations, and professional organizations of foreclosure lawyers can help people identify fully qualified lawyers in good standing to work with.