Ruth Seroussi, Principal, Broker & Attorney

During the last 13 years, Ruth worked as an attorney for several non-profit organizations, including environmental, consumer and democracy organizations like the Fund for Public Interest Research, and for civil rights and fair housing organizations like The Fair Housing Institute and Bet Tzedek. Ruth also spent nearly six years working as an employment and general business litigation attorney at Buchalter Nemer, a regional-sized law firm based in Downtown Los Angeles.

Ruth received her Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations (BSILR) from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations in 1992.  Ruth earned her Juris Doctorate (JD) degree in 1995 from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law.  While in law school, Ruth served as the Chief Articles Editor for the Environmental Law Journal and as Vice President of the Public Interest Law Foundation.

Ruth is a member of the California Bar and a licensed real estate broker.  She is also an Eco-Broker and is currently in the process of becoming a LEED Accredited Professional.

Ruth is also a member of Progressive Future Action's and of Venice Art's Board of Directors.  She serves on the Venice Community Housing Corporation's Housing Committee and the Venice Neighborhood Council's Land Use & Planning Committee.

Ruth lives and works in Venice with her husband, Mike, their son, Holden, and their dogs Bianca, Jed and Cashew.  She loves travel and the outdoors.

     
     


  Mike Newhouse, Principal, Broker & Attorney

Mike is an experienced real estate and business attorney, and has been voted a Super Lawyer "Rising Star" by his peers and Los Angeles Magazine for the past three years.  His practice focuses on counseling and representing developers, landlords, tenants, property managers and financial institutions in all aspects of commercial and residential real estate litigation and transactions.  This includes negotiating and structuring real property leases, acquisitions, sales, financing, and development.  Recent transactions and litigation involve shopping centers, office and industrial buildings, residential subdivisions, residential and commercial condominiums, hotels, and golf courses.

Mike graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Southern California in 1996 with majors in environmental studies and political science.  He is also a 2000 graduate of the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College where he earned a specialty degree in Environmental Law.

Mike is a member of the California Bar and a licensed real estate broker.  He is currently in the process of becoming a LEED Accredited Professional.

Over the years, Mike has worked or served as a volunteer for a number of non-profit and governmental environmental organizations.  These include Environmental Defense, The Wilderness Society, The Natural Resources Defense Counsel, The Fund for Public Interest Research, and the City of Los Angeles' Department of Environmental Affairs.  Mike is presently the President of the Venice Neighborhood Council, Vice-President of the Sierra Club's Airport-Marina Chapter and a member of Heal the Bay's Science and Policy Advisory Committee.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Venice Arts, the Venice Canals Foundation and the Pacific Resident Theater.

Mike lives in Venice with his wife, Ruthie, their son, Holden, and their dogs Bianca, Jed and Cashew. He is an active traveler, outdoor enthusiast and runner.