Real Estate

Gray Reed's real estate group represents clients in a variety of real estate transactions and litigation and provides a strong complement to the basic business orientation of our firm. The expertise, diversity and staffing of our real estate section allow us to effectively, efficiently and timely deliver the highest quality legal services for all aspects of our clients' real estate needs. In fact, our real estate practice is recognized in the 2023 Chambers USA legal directory and Best Lawyers' 2024 "Best Law Firms" ranking. Three of our attorneys are Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Our attorneys and their experienced staff are engaged in a full range of real estate matters, from complex multi-jurisdictional commercial transactions involving the sale, purchase, exchange, leasing, financing and/or development of commercial properties such as office buildings, apartment complexes, shopping centers, industrial and warehouse properties, condominiums, recreational and resort properties (hotels, restaurants, etc.), medical buildings and related facilities (hospitals, assisted-living facilities, etc.), energy and utility facilities, and sports venues, to more consumer-oriented matters such as purchases, sales and leasing of private homes, farms and ranches, and owner-occupied small business locations.

Our transactional lawyers' expertise includes advising clients as to the appropriate structure and financing vehicles for their specific transactions, assisting them in environmental and land use regulatory matters, and counseling our clients in taxation matters (federal, state, local and foreign) impacting their real estate investments. Additionally, our litigation lawyers have extensive experience in prosecuting, defending and resolving real estate-related disputes, including assisting our clients before courts, governmental boards and commissions and in mediation, arbitration and similar alternative dispute resolution proceedings.

Gray Reed's Expertise

Acquisition, Leasing and Disposition of Real Estate

We represent commercial real estate developers, pension fund advisors, financial institutions, corporations, governmental entities and others in the acquisition, leasing and disposition of commercial and residential real estate across the country and in many places throughout the world. Our work involves not only providing basic legal services but helping our clients also evaluate and structure their real estate transactions to minimize legal and tax liabilities and maximize legal protections and profits. Whether a transaction involves a single asset or multi-asset portfolio, we have developed a strong network of local real estate advisors and co-counsel to enable our team to seamlessly complete real estate transactions throughout the United States and in many other countries.

Financing Real Estate Transactions

A crucial aspect of any real estate transaction involves financing. Our lawyers provide expert guidance in negotiating and structuring financing for all types of real estate transactions, including, acquisitions, development, repairs and renovations. We also assist our numerous financial institution clients, including banks, savings and loan companies, mortgage companies, insurance companies, and others in connection with the negotiation and documentation of loan transactions and in enforcement matters such as loan workouts and restructuring, foreclosures, bankruptcies, evictions, etc.

Structuring Real Estate Transactions

We are actively engaged in advising our clients in the proper structure of their real estate transactions so as to provide maximum protection from liabilities and to minimize the administrative, tax and other obligations arising out of the ownership, development and operation of real estate. Our lawyers have extensive experience in the formation of various entities used in connection with investment in and ownership, development and operation of real estate, including corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and trusts.

Tax Matters

Closely linked with our structuring practice is our tax planning advice provided to our clients in connection with real estate transactions. Our attorneys maintain a high level of expertise in federal, state and local tax laws, rules and regulations. We represent our clients in matters involving property tax valuations and protests, income, franchise and margin tax issues, internal tax structuring, allocations of gains and losses, ERISA matters, incentive compensation programs, mergers, acquisitions, dispositions and divestitures involving real estate-related entities and their properties, and various other matters involving tax planning.

Land Use and Development

We assist our clients throughout the entire development process, from land acquisition and zoning to permitting and construction, advising our clients in conjunction with development agreements with governmental authorities, construction agreements with contractors and subcontractors, environmental matters, and land use regulations and restrictions. The scope of the development projects in which we have served as legal counsel includes large land assemblages, single-family tract developments (including master-planned communities), condominium/townhome regimes, apartment projects, regional shopping centers, urban and suburban office buildings, industrial and other commercial buildings, sports stadiums and other recreational properties, and healthcare-related facilities.

Litigation

Our firm has a strong foundation in commercial litigation and, within that area, our Real Estate Litigation Practice Group provides a wealth of experience in the resolution of disputes involving real estate. Sample matters in which our attorneys have been involved include purchase and sale contract disputes, partnership disputes, claims involving breach of fiduciary duty, commercial lease disputes, eviction proceedings, property insurance litigation, property tax assessments and protests, design and construction defects, title and boundary disputes. Our attorneys appear daily before courts, governmental agencies, boards and commissions and alternative dispute resolution proceedings such as mediations and arbitrations, advocating for our real estate clients and their interests. Our litigation team is capable of staffing each matter appropriately with the proper level of expertise so as to provide our clients with the best value to achieve their desired results.

Eminent Domain & Condemnation

We represent clients at all stages of condemnation proceedings including pre-condemnation planning, assisting landowners with strategy and negotiations after an initial notice of a taking is received, Special Commissioners’ hearings, mediations, trials (whether bench or jury) and appeals. We have represented clients including landowners and companies of all sizes in eminent domain proceedings involving utilities, pipelines, parks and roadway takings in both urban and rural areas across the state.  Our attorneys are skilled trial lawyers who work with land use professionals including real estate appraisers, engineers, land planners and real estate brokers to advocate for maximizing the property owner’s just compensation for the taking of their property. Additionally, we represent entities possessing the power of eminent domain, such as utility and pipeline companies.

Our Purpose is You.

As trusted advisors, we develop a deep understanding of your goals and objectives, so we can anticipate future issues and opportunities, and deliver highly personalized service. Our vast real estate industry knowledge combined with a creative, pragmatic approach arms us to relentlessly protect you and your interests. 

Thought Leadership / News
November 7, 2024 
 Press Releases
October 28, 2024 
 Thought Leadership

Gray Reed Insights

September 20, 2024 
 Speeches and Presentations
1031 Exchanges: Top 10 Tips and Traps

Commercial Investors and Brokers Alliance Webinar

September 18, 2024 
 Speeches and Presentations
Advising Clients on the New Texas Business Courts

Houston Bar Association - Real Estate Section

Related People
Bowlin, Emily Thumbnail
Associate / Dallas
Diamond, George L.  Thumbnail
Senior Counsel / Dallas
Gillman, Michael E. Thumbnail
Partner, Real Estate Practice Group Leader / Dallas
Kroll, Dan Thumbnail
Partner, Tax Practice Group Leader  / Houston
Virene, Anna M. Thumbnail
Partner, Banking Practice Group Leader / Houston