You need a real estate attorney for a real estate closing. Litigators have an entirely different expertise. On the other hand, you cannot safely buy or own real estate in a legal vacuum! Lawyers, who have studied the entire body of American law for 3 years, will be able to protect your rights far more that a lay person, banker, or title agent whose only claim to expertise is having done closings for their previous customers. What they don't know can hurt you!
Our closing fees are typically 10-25% higher than fees charged by non lawyers to conduct closings, but the differences are dramatic! Only a lawyer owes you a duty of loyalty as a client; to a non-lawyer, you are a customer and the principle of "buyer beware" may well apply.
In Virginia, only a lawyer engaged in the private practice of law can represent you. Non-lawyers basically show you where to sign documents and are committing a violation of law if they attempt to give legal advise without a law license. If you simply must save money, consider using one of our affiliated notary only signing services.