Best Lawyers Near You in Dallas, Texas for Real Estate Law
Practice Area Overview
Real estate law is a broad area of law that encompasses a variety of legal issues related to the ownership, use and transfer of real property. In Dallas, TX, real estate transactions are subject to a complex and ever-evolving set of laws and regulations that govern everything from sales and acquisitions to leasing, financing and litigation.
Below are some of the key areas managed by real estate attorneys in Dallas and information one needs to know in order to properly navigate the legal landscape of real estate transactions.
Sales and Acquisitions
One of the most common areas of real estate law is sales and acquisitions. Whether someone is buying or selling real estate, it's essential to understand the legal requirements and obligations involved in the transaction. Real estate lawyers in Dallas can help negotiate and draft purchase agreements, conduct due diligence and navigate the closing process to ensure that the transaction is legally sound and in their best interests.
Title
Title is another critical area of real estate law that deals with the ownership and transfer of real property. A clear and marketable title is essential to a successful real estate transaction, as it ensures that the buyer has the legal right to own and use the property in question. Dallas real estate attorneys can conduct title searches, review title reports, work with the title company and address any title issues that may arise to ensure a smooth legal transaction.
Land Use and Environmental
Real estate law also covers land use and environmental issues related to the development and use of property. Zoning laws, building codes and environmental regulations all play a significant role in real estate transactions and can have a significant impact on the value and use of real property. Dallas real estate lawyers can help navigate these complex laws and regulations to ensure that the client’s use of the property complies with ever changing local and state laws and regulations.
Development
Real estate development involves the construction, renovation or improvement of real property. This can involve a wide range of legal issues, from permitting and zoning to construction contracts and financing. Real estate attorneys can help developers navigate these legal complexities, negotiate contracts and ensure compliance with local and state laws and regulations.
Leasing
Leasing is another area of real estate law that involves the use of real property. Whether someone is a landlord or a tenant, it's important to understand the legal requirements and obligations involved in a lease agreement. Real estate attorneys, representing the buyer or the seller, can help negotiate and draft lease agreements, address any lease disputes that may arise and ensure compliance with local and state laws and regulations.
Finance
Real estate finance deals with the financial aspects of real estate transactions, including mortgages, loans, home purchases, real estate contracts and other forms of financing. Real estate lawyers can help clients negotiate financing terms, review loan agreements and address any financing issues that may arise to ensure a financially viable transaction for all parties involved.
Joint Ventures
Real estate joint ventures involve partnerships between two or more parties to develop, own or operate real property. Joint venture agreements can be complex and involve a wide range of legal issues, from financing and management to dispute resolution and termination. Real estate attorneys can help negotiate and draft joint venture agreements, address any legal issues that may arise and ensure compliance with local and state laws and regulations.
Restructuring and Workouts
Real estate restructuring and workouts involve the restructuring or renegotiation of real estate loans or other financing arrangements. These transactions can be complex and involve a wide range of legal issues, from bankruptcy and foreclosure to loan modifications and refinancing. Real estate attorneys can help their clients navigate these legal complexities and negotiate with lenders to ensure compliance with federal, local and state laws and regulations.
Litigation
Real estate litigation involves the resolution of disputes related to real property, including contract disputes, boundary disputes, title disputes, landlord-tenant disputes and other legal issues that may arise in real estate transactions. Real estate litigation can be time-consuming, costly and an emotionally draining process. In cases such as this, it's important to have an experienced real estate lawyer to help navigate the legal process and protect a client’s rights through every step of the way.
Jon A. Baker is a founding member of the firm and his practice focuses on the leasing, acquisition, disposition, financing, and development of various commercial properties, including office buildings, multi-family projects, industrial properties, raw land, and retail projects. Jon also represents institutional lenders in connection with the financing of real estate projects. Jon was recently honored for his notable achievements in real estate law when he was named to Best Lawyers in America&...
Ted Benn counsels clients on a wide variety of real estate, corporate, and general business matters, including mergers, stock and asset acquisitions and divestitures, partnerships and joint ventures, debt and equity financings, lease transactions, management and consulting arrangements, and real estate developments. He has significant experience in the hospitality, golf and private club, multifamily property, real estate development, and renewable energy industries. He currently assists multi...
Working in the Commercial Real Estate section, Susan focuses her practice on the purchase, development, financing, and leasing of commercial real estate projects, with a concentration on retail, mixed-use, industrial, and office developments. Susan represents commercial landlords of both established and new shopping centers and office buildings, as well as retail, office, and industrial tenants, in the negotiation and amendment of leases and various property management issues. She also repres...
Gregg Davis counsels clients in the areas of real estate, capital markets, finance, business transactions, and environmental transactions. His experience includes: acquisitions, sales, lending, leasing, and brokerage; capital markets (CMBS and CDO), distressed real estate receiverships, sales and management; and construction. Gregg adeptly deals with a broad range of commercial real estate issues including conservation easements, wetlands, LEED certification, transfer fees, platting, zoning a...
Kimberly ("Kimber") Davison serves as Managing Shareholder & Vice President for Griffith Davison, P.C., where she has spent more than twenty-years representing clients in real estate development and commercial construction. Her practice focuses on the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts, including guidance on industry promulgated forms such as AIA documents, EJCDC forms, and ConsensusDocs. She is highly regarded for transactional and contracts work; and holds the distinct a...
Billie focuses his real estate and corporate practice on a broad spectrum of private equity, financial, commercial, and real estate transactions that includes the acquisitions, financing, development and sale of all types of properties and companies. Please read more here: https://www.winston.com/en/who-we-are/professionals/ellis-billie-j.html
With more than 25 years of experience, clients turn to Nikki Fanous for advice and guidance with commercial real estate transactions including leasing, development, acquisitions, dispositions, and property management issues. Nikki represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants, developers, and investors in all areas of real estate transactions including leasing, development, acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and property management issues. Nikki has extensive experience drafting and nego...
Managing partner of the Dallas office, Bryan is a nationally recognized REIT attorney who has represented many of the nation’s leading publicly traded real estate operating companies. Sources tell Chambers USA he is one of “the most client-friendly lawyers” and “the best at the business of law.” Bryan is also a member of Nareit's Board Associate Program for the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (Nareit). Please read more here: https://www.wins...
Charlie Haag advises on venture capital, IPOs, high-yield and investment-grade debt, convertible securities, tender offers, spin-offs, reorganizations, mergers and acquisitions, and takeovers. He also regularly counsels clients on corporate governance matters, including fiduciary duties and SEC filings. Charlie is a frequent writer and speaker in the capital markets and corporate governance arena. His recent presentations have focused on the IPO market and developments in corporate governance...
Raymond Kane, a founding director of the Firm, practices in the Real Estate, Business & Corporate, Financial Services, Restaurant & Hospitality and Distressed Assets Practice Areas. He focuses on general business, banking and real estate law, including development, partnership, leasing and lending law matters. His principal practice area involves the representation of developers and operators in all aspects of development transactions, including land use, planning, construction and le...
For nearly thirty years, Terry R. Landry has represented real estate investors, lenders, developers, managers, and financial institutions in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. Terry started his legal career at what are now two of the largest law firms in the U.S., Locke Lord, LLP and Squire Patton Boggs, and that Big Law experience helped him acquire the top-notch training and legal discipline that has served his clients well for the last three decades. He also has a unique b...
Larry McFarland assists clients in commercial transactions, with a focus on development, investment, leasing and loan transactions. He has significant experience in loan documentation, regulatory advice, complex joint venture structuring, corporate governance and operational matters, leading his clients' efforts relating to office buildings, retail centers, industrial properties, multi-family projects, hospitality properties, residential subdivision, student housing, and mixed-use projects. A...
Randall (Randy) G. Ray is a member of MWM’s executive committee and partner in the firm’s corporate law group with more than 37 years of experience. Randy works on corporate and securities matters for a wide variety of clients, including public and private companies, boards of directors, board committees, executive officers, underwriters, private equity firms, and investors. Randy assists clients with corporate finance through public and private offerings of equity and debt, secur...
Tina Ross concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial real estate, mortgage finance, construction law, and business law. She represents institutional lenders, investors, pension fund advisors, and developers regarding a variety of real estate matters including land acquisition and development, condominium development, construction financing, syndicated loan transactions, loan workouts and restructures and foreclosures, and bulk/portfolio sales and auctions of distressed assets. Altho...
Gordon Russell, a founding Director of the Firm, is a member of the Financial Services Practice Group and of the Business and Corporate Transactional Practice Group. Gordon has concentrated his practice on banking and financial institutions, business and corporate, real estate and resolution of distressed assets. He has extensive experience in commercial lending, real estate development and finance, and business transactions. Gordon also maintains a regular general business practice, includin...
Mark Sloan focuses his practice primarily on various types of real estate lending transactions, real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and real estate development. He has represented lenders in virtually all types of real estate financings, including construction loans, interim bridge loans, permanent loans, mezzanine loans, conduit mortgage backed securities loans (CMBS loans), and revolving loan facilities, as well as preferred equity transactions. He has also represented various financial...
Jonathan Thalheimer focuses his practice on commercial real estate sales, acquisitions and development and complex finance transactions. From individuals and small privately held businesses to large publicly traded corporations, Mr. Thalheimer represents clients in matters including portfolio lending, construction lending, commercial mortgage-backed securities, conduit lending, corporate and municipal bonds, loan syndications, interest rate caps and swaps, aircraft financing, and other struct...
Stephanie Urano joined WLBO when the firm launched in 2023. She represents clients in various aspects of commercial real estate transactions, including, acquisitions and dispositions, development, leases, brokerage agreements, and transactional financing. Prior to joining the firm, Stephanie served as in-house counsel to an insurance company and as an associate in a large Dallas law firm. Stephanie was listed in The Best Lawyers in America ® for her work in Real Estate law for 2024.
Amy Waller is an associate of the firm who joined WLBO in 2023 when the firm was launched. Amy is experienced in a variety of commercial real estate matters, including commercial leasing, reviewing title work, development of commercial properties, and real estate sales transactions. Amy also has experience in corporate law, including entity formation for corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, as well as maintaining business records for these entities. Amy was selected for The Best Lawyers in A...
Thomas Whelan’s practice encompasses a broad range of leasing, financing, and other real estate transactions, as well as commercial litigation emphasizing landlord-tenant, lender liability, brokerage, and other real-estate-related matters. He has authored numerous articles and is frequently invited to speak on matters including leasing, receiverships, real estate brokerage and other real estate related topics. Before receiving his law degree from Southern Methodist University, Mr. Whela...
As a dedicated, business-oriented transactional attorney, Julie Klavan focuses her practice on representing commercial real estate companies in a variety of commercial real estate sectors, such as multi-family, industrial, renewables and solar, office, retail, and improved and unimproved land development. She provides tailored practical counsel to buyers, sellers, developers, borrowers and investors with respect to virtually all stages of such transactions from inception to closing. Julie has...
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