Recent Results – Litigation & Transactions

Unlike many lawyers, I engage in both transactional work and litigation involving real estate. I am as comfortable at the negotiation table or my desk drafting complex documents, as I am in the courtroom arguing on behalf of a party to a dispute implicating property or water rights.

On multiple occasions I have been recognized by my peers as one of San Antonio’s “Best” Lawyers for Real Estate Litigation and Real Estate Transactions in the annual “San Antonio’s Best Attorneys” issue of Scene in SA Magazine.  This recognition is based upon peer (local lawyers in good standing) nomination and voting, and I was selected for inclusion in the 2008, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 issues. Additionally, my firm was named as San Antonio’s Best Real Estate Law Firm for 2025 by the readers of the San Antonio Current newspaper.

This cross-functionality in real estate and water related litigation and transactions has allowed me to hone my skills in the drafting, negotiation and courthouse settings.

REAL ESTATE DISPUTES & LITIGATION

On any given week, I am busy resolving real estate disputes that have (or may soon) blossomed into lawsuits. I have more than two-decades of experience in obtaining favorable results for both Plaintiffs and Defendants in real estate litigation through negotiation, mediation, settlement, arbitration and trial.  The following are just a few of many recent results in real estate litigation matters entrusted to me:

• Obtained confidential seven-figure settlement for governmental water utility client on its professional negligence claim against national engineering firm (Guadalupe County District Court – 2026)(case settled two weeks before jury trial).
• Secured significantly discounted settlement of complex breach of contract claims asserted by a Texas municipality against my governmental water utility client (Guadalupe County District Court – 2026).
• Obtained six figure settlement for Commercial Landlord on its claims for breach of lease by tenant and subtenant of shopping center (Bexar County District Court – 2025).
• Confidentially settled (on highly favorable terms) widely publicized claims asserted against President and Principal Broker of Commercial Real Estate Brokerage (Bexar County District Court – 2025).
• Obtained dismissal on Summary Judgment of all claims asserted against our clients in shared water well lawsuit (Bexar County District Court – 2025).
• Represented executor of decedent’s estate in inherited real property title dispute and complex transaction to sell property and divide proceeds (Kerr County 2024). 
• Secured litigated partition of generational family ranch among multiple family members (Gonzales County District Court – 2024)
• Verdict – Bench Trial – $96,000, together with mandatory injunctions in surface water diversion case where neighbor’s alterations caused property damage to client’s land in violation of Section 11.086 of Texas Water Code (Bandera County District Court – 2024).
• Obtained dismissal on Summary Judgment of all claims asserted against apartment complex owner by prospective buyer (Bexar County District Court – 2024).
• Obtained summary judgment declaring existence of implied easement in favor of our clients over private roadway owned by community association (Bexar County District Court – 2024).
• Obtained Confidential six figure pre-suit settlement for Landowners in Roadway Easement Dispute – settlement amount paid was more than 10x the amount offered to client through prior counsel (Bandera/Kerr County – 2021).
• Secured Confidential Settlement on Behalf of Commercial Real Estate Purchaser in Suit Against Listing Agent who undertook Intermediary Status (Bexar County District Court – 2021).
• Obtained Dismissal by Summary Judgment of all claims asserted against Property Manager in Personal Injury Suit (Bexar County District Court – 2021).
• Obtained Mediated Settlement of multi-party construction suit filed on behalf of our governmental client for defective construction of 2.5 million gallon concrete water storage tank (Guadalupe County District Court – 2020).
• Verdict – Bench Trial – Judgment for $606,823.50 entered in favor of Contract for Deed purchaser of rural property and mobile home (Medina County District Court – 2020).
• Obtained Dismissal of TREC Complaint filed against Texas real estate sales agent by competitor (2020).
• Obtained Dismissal of TREC Complaint filed against Texas property manager and brokerage by former residential tenant (2020).
• Secured $130,000 Settlement on behalf of Commercial Tenant for Constructive Eviction – Breach of Lease (Bexar County District Court 2019).
• Secured $750,000.00 mediated settlement on behalf of Defendant and against Plaintiffs (on Counterclaims) in suit that  over roadway easement and real estate note (Kendall County District Court).
• Obtained confidential settlement against Commercial Real Estate Brokerage when self-dealing Tenant’s Agent acquired restaurant property during time when brokerage’s client had an offer pending on the same property (Bexar County District Court).
• Secured $375,000 pre-suit settlement on behalf of Commercial Landlord for institutional tenant’s (national hospital corporation) anticipatory breach (prior to taking occupancy) of long-term Medical Office Lease (Frio County).
• Secured Confidential Settlement in federal lawsuit filed on behalf of homeowner against one of the nation’s largest banks following botched foreclosure of home equity loan (Comal County – U.S. District Court W.D. Texas).
• Secured $125,000.00 Settlement for Buyer of Commercial restaurant property in lawsuit filed against Seller and Seller’s Listing Broker for Failure to Disclose an existing long-term Parking Lease assigning parking spaces to a neighboring  property owner (Bexar County District Court).
• Secured confidential six-figure mediated settlement for Buyer of Commercial Property in claims against Buyer’s Agent and Buyer’s Real Estate Broker for professional negligence (Bexar County District Court).
• Secured confidential six-figure mediated settlement for Residential Real Estate Developer in suit against roadway contractor for construction defects within a residential subdivision (Bexar County District Court).
• Secured six-figure pre-suit settlement for Buyer of Commercial Property in claims against Seller for failure to disclose that property improvements were constructed without permits and  were subject to City Demolition Orders (Bexar County).
• Secured confidential mediated settlement for Commercial General Contractor in claims asserted against flooring subcontractors for defective work (Travis County District Court).
• Secured confidential pre-suit settlement for Massachusetts landlords/investment property owners in claims that local Property Manager mismanaged multiple rental units (Bexar County).
• Secured confidential mediated settlement for Buyer of residential real estate where Sellers and the Seller’s (Listing) Agent were aware of but failed to disclose a previous fire, and concealed fire damage. (Maverick County).
• Secured confidential pre-suit settlement (including rescission of sale, attorneys’ fees and refund of all monies paid — including interest, earnest money and monthly payments) for Buyer of residential real estate where institutional Seller failed to disclose known property defects and substantial plumbing repairs performed by Seller (Bexar County).
• Secured CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT for property owner in professional negligence claims against Surveyor based on erroneous identification of property boundary, resulting in misplaced fence construction and boundary dispute (Bexar County District Court).
• Obtained confidential mediated settlement for real estate investors in federal lawsuit against property & casualty insurance carriers/agent following denial of claims arising from former occupant’s vandalism after foreclosure (Bexar County – U.S. District Court W.D. Texas).
• Secured Confidential Mediated Settlement against neighboring Landowner, neighbor’s Listing Real Estate Broker and Neighbor’s Contractor for Trespass and Damage to Trees (Atascosa County District Court).
•  Secured pre-suit settlement against Neighboring Landowner for Trespass and Wrongful Tree Cutting (Comal County).
• Won Summary Judgment (Dismissal) in favor of Plaintiff/heir to residential real estate in lawsuit filed against Attorney-Trustee and parties asserting a lien against the property under a void  Deed of Trust (Bexar County District Court)
• Obtained Dismissal of lawsuit filed against elderly Seller who refused to close upon the sale of residence, after contracting to do so (Bexar County Court at Law).
• Obtained $65,000.00 JURY VERDICT against Property Manager and Management Company who diverted out-of-state investor/owner’s rents and failed to properly account for trust funds. Following trial, the District Court Judge ordered disgorgement of all commissions paid to management company. (Bexar County District Court)
• Secured $85,000.00 mediated Settlement for Cash Buyer of residential real estate where the Seller (who was a licensed real Estate Broker) failed to disclose existence of a prior written Agreement to sell to the home to a “tenant” who already occupied the property (Bexar County District Court).
• Won $134,000.00 arbitration award (reduced to Judgment) on behalf of custom homebuilder against homeowner who refused to pay contract price. Also defeated homeowner’s counterclaims alleging construction defects (Gillespie County District Court).
• Defeated federal court “wrongful foreclosure” lawsuit against out of state investor who purchased residential property at Trustee’s Foreclosure Sale (Bexar County –US District Court W.D. Texas).
• Obtained confidential mediated settlement for farm and ranch owner whose property was wrongfully subjected to mechanic’s lien by supplier of water storage tanks (Comal County District Court).
• Secured Court verdict (BENCH TRIAL) of “no bad faith” on the part of out of state (military) Landlord in lawsuit filed by Tenant for Security Deposit refund and damages. Tenant/Plaintiff ordered to reimburse our client’s costs and attorneys’ fees (Bexar County Court at Law).
• Obtained numerous dismissals (Summary Judgment) of claims against Residential Property Managers in lawsuits filed by former Tenants for Security Deposit refunds and breach of contract (Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe Counties).
• Successfully defended homeowners in suit filed by HOA for non-compliance with minimum building size restrictions. Prevailed on counterclaim attacking validity of restrictive covenants and secured settlement on counterclaims approving homeowners’ modifications and requiring HOA to reimburse homeowners’ attorneys fees and costs (Kerr County District Court).
• Secured settlement (including retention of all earnest money and reimbursement of attorneys’ fees/costs) on behalf of Seller of high end residence  when Buyer attempted to terminate Purchase Contract after expiration of all contingencies.  (Guadalupe County).
• Won Take Nothing Judgment (BENCH TRIAL) on behalf of Foreclosure Purchaser / Investor where Former Owners filed suit to Set-Aside Trustee’s Sale conducted by their mortgage lender  (Bexar County Court at Law).
• Secured numerous Judgments on behalf of HOA permitting expedited foreclosure of property to satisfy unpaid Assessment Liens (Guadalupe County District Court).
• Obtained Dismissal of all claims brought by former Tenant under Chapter 92 of the Texas Property Code against Property Manager (Bexar County, Comal County, Guadalupe County).
• Obtained JURY VERDICT – DEFENSE VERDICT awarding no damages ($0), in suit filed against used automobile dealership for alleged improprieties during repossession of vehicle financed in-house (Bexar County Court at Law).
• Successfully mediated (2 mediations) division of 9,000+ acre historic Texas Ranch left to heirs in undivided shares (Crockett County).
• Confidential Settlement of breach of fiduciary duty claims asserted by owner of commercial property against Commercial Real Estate Broker (Bexar County).
• Obtained DEFENSE VERDICT  (with award of Attorneys’ Fees) in favor of rental property owner/landlord in suit brought by former tenants for security deposit refund and retention (Guadalupe County).
• Secured finding of NO VIOLATION – NO DISCIPLINE in defense of Property Manager in TREC Complaint alleging mishandling of fiduciary property.
• Secured finding of NO VIOLATION – NO DISCIPLINE in defense of un-licensed Master Tenant in TREC Complaint alleging Unauthorized Practice of Real Estate.
• Successfully Defended Manufactured Home Community  Owner against Tenant’s claims for Wrongful Eviction, Breach of Contract and Violations of Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Every case is different and is determined on its own merits. However, involvement of an Attorney with sustained success in litigation focused on real estate enhances the client’s likelihood of obtaining a favorable result.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

I also spend substantial time and energy each week negotiating and drafting real estate documents, such as Earnest Money Contracts, Purchase and Sale Agreements, Easements, Leases, Deeds, Promissory Notes, Liens, Releases and Restrictive Covenants.  The following are a few recent examples of my real estate transaction practice:

• Represented franchisee of national restaurant chain in sale of franchise and commercial leasehold interests in Bexar County.
• Represented developer and owner of resort property in Frio County in establishing and enforcing purchase option and right of first refusal. 
• Represented elderly owners and several decades-long residents of large tract in sale in Bexar County to national homebuilder.
• Represented large industrial manufacturer relocating to Texas in acquisition of acreage tract in Medina County for new operations center.  
• Represented seller of thriving real estate brokerage with multiple locations in asset sale.
• Represented owners of Bexar County gym with multiple locations in long term commercial leases to include new construction build to suit ground lease. 
• Represented partner in Comal County Veterinary practice in litigated and highly contentious “business divorce” and acquisition of partnership assets including practice location. 
• Represented long-term tenant and bar operator in litigated claims to enforce real property purchase option on leased property in Bexar County. 
• Represented Joint Venturer in litigated “business divorce” and sale of JV assets including interest in commercial office building in Bexar County. 
• Represented Buyer of large commercial warehouse property in Comal Comal County.
• Represented Seller of Commercial property with heavy industrial use (owner finance) in Bexar County. Drafted all transaction documents.
• Represented Buyer of commercial Mechanic’s Shop and surrounding acreage in Atascosa County.
• Represented Seller of Veterinary practice to include all non-realty assets to national buyer. Negotiated all terms for buyer’s long-term lease of seller’s personally owned clinic building (real estate did not convey) in Bexar County.
• Represented Buyer of commercial warehouse and office property in Guadalupe County. Complicated Seller-contingencies involved.
• Represented Buyer in all aspects of purchase of Hill Country winery operation to include tasting room, existing business entities, extensive bottle inventory and associated real estate (vineyard, etc.) – drafted and negotiated Contract and related documents – Gillespie County.
• Represented Buyer in Seller-financed purchase of Commercial Office Building to be converted to Veterinary Clinic.
• Represented various landowners in reviewing communications tower leases.
• Represented Buyer (to include negotiation and drafting of all documents) in cash purchase of Kerr County ranch.
• Represented Buyer (to include negotiation and drafting of documents) in cash purchase of surplus commercial property from multinational, Fortune 10 corporation.
• Negotiated and jointly-drafted complex documents related to Agreed Partition of historic, 9,000 acre family ranch and associated mineral leases in Crockett & Val Verde Counties.
• Represented internationally-recognized horse farm operation in purchase and disposition of multiple ranch properties in Texas and Florida – negotiated and drafted Contract and associated documents.
• Negotiated Commercial Lease with Purchase Option between San Antonio property owner and national restaurant franchise.
• Drafted documents for sale of local franchisee’s interests and development rights in national chicken wing restaurant franchise.
• Negotiated build-to-suit lease between Frio County landowner and national equipment rental company.
• Negotiated Commercial Lease Agreement between local landowner and national auto parts retailer.
• Drafted and Negotiated Earnest Money Contract between local landowner and national restaurant chain.
• Negotiated long-term Commercial Lease between Frio County landowner and national hospital corporation.
• Drafted complex Earnest Money Contract and negotiated purchase terms for governmental agency seeking to re-locate its headquarters (Bexar County).
• Drafted and negotiated long-term Groundwater Lease form on behalf of governmental water utility. Lease form has been utilized to secure thousands of acre feet of groundwater (Guadalupe County).
• Drafted Restrictive Covenants for ranch owner seeking to develop and subdivide.
• Negotiated groundwater production lease between ranch owner and multinational oil exploration company (McMullen & Live Oak counties).
• Drafted long-term Commercial Lease Agreement with Purchase Option on behalf of Bexar County  furniture store.
• Drafted Restrictive Covenants obligating a landowner and its successors to maintain a Dam that impounds water in Bear Creek for the benefit of neighboring landowners (Kerr County).
• Drafted Groundwater Lease for use of Edwards Aquifer groundwater by golf course.
• Drafted Water Rights Deed and associated owner-finance documents for small water utility purchasing Edwards Aquifer groundwater from a agricultural user in Medina County, Texas.
• Negotiated contract on behalf of Homeowners’ Association (HOA) desiring to sell a portion of its common area to a commercial real estate developer.
• Drafted and negotiated HOA documents amending the boundaries of the Association’s jurisdiction and removing certain properties from the purview of restrictive covenants (Comal County).
• Negotiated and drafted Declaration of Restrictive Covenants (and Design Criteria) for development of Medical Park.
• Negotiated and co-drafted Agreement for Construction of new Roadway by Developer for benefit of Buyer of Commercial Properties.
• Drafted substantive amendments to antiquated Restrictive Covenants. Subsequently adopted by HOA membership.
• Drafted all documents required for sale (with owner-financing) of commercial property by long-term furniture sales business.
• Drafted multiple commercial lease agreements for retail tenants of  newly-constructed inline shopping center.
• Drafted commercial lease agreement for stand-alone building to be occupied by a popular local Mexican restaurant chain.
• Drafted license agreement authorizing neighboring landowner to “tie-in” to existing fencing in rural area.