Real Estate Attorney Role in Commercial Property Purchase

[Patrick Jones]

Good Afternoon BiggerPockets Experts!

I wanted to learn from you re the specific role a real estate attorney will having in the acquisition of a commercial building (50k-60k sq/ft).

I have a wonderful real estate attorney that I have used in the past, but he charges $450/hr. I would like to understand what you feel his specific role would be in the transaction and when/where I would include him. I feel that if I contact him and ask him to look into a property I am in the discovery phase on, that he may spend all sorts of time looking into things that may not be necessary for him to look into. I just don't want an expensive hourly attorney making a living off of me. 

Thoughts?