I can tell you that here in CO, lawyers (even RE laywers) tend to run sloppy transactions with little attention to contract deadlines and ignoring many of the issues that the state-approved contract provides for. If you're a lawyer you can write up a contract pretty much however you see fit. Realtors have to use state-approved forms which outline exactly what happens and who's responsible for what during the executory period.

There are definitley some amazing and knowlegable RE lawyers out there, I've met many of them, but unless they sell real estate on a regular basis (i.e. for a living), I would be a little hesitant. This is along the lines of why would you hire an electrician when you need a plumber?