Real Estate Law
Richard L. "Rick" Spencer
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Rick earned a BBA and a MBA from the University of Texas at Austin in accounting and finance. His JD is from the University of Houston. Rick is a recognized leader in real estate law in the State of Texas, and is board certified in Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law. He has a depth and breadth of experience in a variety of complex real estate matters. Rick has represented a wide range of businesses and individuals in purchases and sales, contracts, business conflicts, commercial transactions, complex financings, securities fraud, corporate matters, stock and asset acquisitions. He has served as an expert witness and litigation consultant on a number of legal, ethical and business matters and successfully drafted and helped pass new real estate statutes before the Texas Legislature.
His professional involvement is as follows: Fellow, American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Board Certified in Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law, 1989-Present, & POA law 2019. Chairman, Texas Assignment of Rents Act Drafting Committee (Ch. 64 Texas Property Code); Chairman, Texas Real Estate Forms Committee, 2010-2016, Member, 1991-2018. Chairman, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, 2014-15, Council Member 2000-2004. Chairman, Texas College of Real Estate Attorneys, 2004-’08, Board of Directors, 2003-’08. Board of Directors, State Bar College, 36-year Member and Life Fellow. Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Real Estate Advisory Commission. State Bar of Texas, 4 D-10 Grievance Committee, 6-year Member. Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow. Houston Real Estate Lawyers Council, Member. American Inns of Court, Master. Licensed Real Estate Broker-Texas. Committee on Brokers and Brokerage-ABA; and Briefing Attorney, Hon. Richard N. Countiss, Texas Court of Appeals.
Overview
- The University of Texas, MBA, graduated 1976
- The University of Texas, BBA, graduated 1974
- University of Houston Law Center, J.D., graduated 1981
- Texas, State Bar of Texas
- 4D 10 Grievance Committee - Member
- Advanced Real Estate Drafting - Course Director
- Advanced Real Estate Law - Course Director
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers - Fellow
- American Inns of Court - Master
- Mortgage Lending Institute - Course Director
- Real Estate Forms Committee - Chair
- Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section - Chair
- Texas Assignment of Rents Drafting Committee - Chair
- Texas College of Real Estate Lawyers - Chair
- Texas, State Bar of Texas
- 4D 10 Grievance Committee - Member
- Advanced Real Estate Drafting - Course Director
- Advanced Real Estate Law - Course Director
- American College of Real Estate Lawyers - Fellow
- American Inns of Court - Master
- Mortgage Lending Institute - Course Director
- Real Estate Forms Committee - Chair
- Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section - Chair
- Texas Assignment of Rents Drafting Committee - Chair
- Texas College of Real Estate Lawyers - Chair
- The University of Texas, MBA, graduated 1976
- The University of Texas, BBA, graduated 1974
- University of Houston Law Center, J.D., graduated 1981
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Real Estate Law
Special Focus:
- Commercial
- Residential
- Tax Certiorari
Awards:
State Bar of Texas: “Distinguished Real Estate Attorney Lifetime Achievement Award” 2023.
State Bar College: Jim Bowmer “Professionalism” Award 2016.
Society of Legal Scholars, 2022.
State Bar of Texas: “Weatherbie Workhorse” Award, 2014.
State Bar CLE: “Standing Ovation” Award 2015.
Best Lawyers in America-Real Estate 12 years.
Texas Monthly “Super Lawyer” 22 yrs.
Society of Legal Scholars 2022
ConnectCRE 2022 Lawyers in Real Estate Award.
H-Magazine “Top Lawyer”.
“AV” rated by Martindale Hubbell; and
AVVO rating of “10”—Superb.
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- REPORTED CASES
Chadderdon v. Blaschke: 01-96-01473-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
In re John Robert Stratton: 01-99-00459-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
01-99-00405-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
00-0491; Texas Supreme Court.
Arabian National Shipping v. Alsheikh: 14-05-00787-CV; 14th Court of Appeals.
Countrywide Home Loans v. Austin: 01-06-00547-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
08-0281; Texas Supreme Court.
Lagoye v. Pina: 01-06-00588-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
Mekhail v. Jackson Mortuary, Inc.: 01-11-00485-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
Hamrick v. Ward: 14-10-00560-CV; 14th Court of Appeals.
12-0348; Texas Supreme Court.
Ammerman v. Wilson 01-17-00448-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
In re John Robert Stratton: 01-99-00459-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
01-99-00405-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
00-0491; Texas Supreme Court.
Arabian National Shipping v. Alsheikh: 14-05-00787-CV; 14th Court of Appeals.
Countrywide Home Loans v. Austin: 01-06-00547-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
08-0281; Texas Supreme Court.
Lagoye v. Pina: 01-06-00588-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
Mekhail v. Jackson Mortuary, Inc.: 01-11-00485-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
Hamrick v. Ward: 14-10-00560-CV; 14th Court of Appeals.
12-0348; Texas Supreme Court.
Ammerman v. Wilson 01-17-00448-CV; 1st Court of Appeals.
Transactions
- FEATURED TRANSACTIONS
*Documented $166 Billion ¥ loan for Japanese lending group.
* Represented client, as provider, in $1Billion+ services contract. * Documented $60 Million land loan for Japanese lending group.
* Orchestrated the $55 million financing of the Magnolia Hotel. * Represented seller in stock sale of entity owning $33 Million Hotel. * Represented a $660 million work-out portfolio for First City, Texas. * Conducted nearly 2,000 real property foreclosures. * Documented a mixed-use downtown development with two hotels, condominiums, and retail. * Represented Seller in sale of 825 acres for single family development.
* Represented a developer in a 2,500 acre master-planned development. * Represented a City in the acquisition of a YMCA property. * Facilitated a land swap between the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the First Presbyterian Church, allowing museum expansion and increased access to parking for both entities. * Represented a purchaser of several automobile dealerships. * Acquired and sold over 5,000 apartment units. * Represented appraisal district in collection of ad valorem taxes. * Acted as expert witness on real estate foreclosure, legal malpractice, and ethics matters. * Represented Receiver for State Securities Board in asset seizures in securities fraud actions. * Acquired third-largest citrus fruit producer in Rio Grande Valley. * Acquired, consolidated, and sold three oilfield service companies. * Defended spot currency trading company against securities fraud claims. * Acquired major sportswear manufacturer. * Provided local counsel legal opinions in lending transactions totaling over $3 Billion. * Cleaned title and worked with Toll Road Authority for consents on $200 Million industrial
Project on Houston Ship Channel.
* Negotiated numerous pipeline and utility easements for both landowners and pipelines.
* Purchased $13 million ranch in South Texas.
* Represented foundation in grant and land acquisition for housing for former foster youth.
* Represented office sharing client in numerous office leases.
* Represented client, as provider, in $1Billion+ services contract. * Documented $60 Million land loan for Japanese lending group.
* Orchestrated the $55 million financing of the Magnolia Hotel. * Represented seller in stock sale of entity owning $33 Million Hotel. * Represented a $660 million work-out portfolio for First City, Texas. * Conducted nearly 2,000 real property foreclosures. * Documented a mixed-use downtown development with two hotels, condominiums, and retail. * Represented Seller in sale of 825 acres for single family development.
* Represented a developer in a 2,500 acre master-planned development. * Represented a City in the acquisition of a YMCA property. * Facilitated a land swap between the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the First Presbyterian Church, allowing museum expansion and increased access to parking for both entities. * Represented a purchaser of several automobile dealerships. * Acquired and sold over 5,000 apartment units. * Represented appraisal district in collection of ad valorem taxes. * Acted as expert witness on real estate foreclosure, legal malpractice, and ethics matters. * Represented Receiver for State Securities Board in asset seizures in securities fraud actions. * Acquired third-largest citrus fruit producer in Rio Grande Valley. * Acquired, consolidated, and sold three oilfield service companies. * Defended spot currency trading company against securities fraud claims. * Acquired major sportswear manufacturer. * Provided local counsel legal opinions in lending transactions totaling over $3 Billion. * Cleaned title and worked with Toll Road Authority for consents on $200 Million industrial
Project on Houston Ship Channel.
* Negotiated numerous pipeline and utility easements for both landowners and pipelines.
* Purchased $13 million ranch in South Texas.
* Represented foundation in grant and land acquisition for housing for former foster youth.
* Represented office sharing client in numerous office leases.
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