Associated Practice Areas

• Corporate
• County Law
• Municipal Law
• Real Estate

Biography

Denise's principal areas of practice are real estate, planning and development, and construction law matters, with an emphasis on the representation of cities, counties, and other local governments. She has represented both large and small cities in matters such as acquisitions and sales, commercial leases, easements, licenses, construction projects, and the development of real estate.

Representative Experience

Denise has been lead attorney in the acquisition of $20,000,000 in real estate for the Balcones Canyonland Conservation Plan and acquisition of $45,000,000 in real estate for water quality protection. She has represented various entities in the acquisition of office buildings, electric utility power plants, and water rights. To accomplish the project objectives, she has coordinated the land use planning, zoning, and development aspects of projects with the land acquisition and construction

Denise has worked with communities in connection with a variety of land use and development issues. She has advised cities regarding the writing, codification, amendment and implementation of land use, zoning, and subdivision regulations and other ordinances. She has worked on matters involving private/public partnerships for economic development, affordable housing, "smart growth" development, downtown revitalization, environmental conservation, and historic preservation.

Denise has represented local governments in numerous construction projects, including municipal buildings, courthouses, jails, schools, and water/wastewater projects. She has served as legal counsel and expert witness in matters involving title disputes, easements rights and condemnation.

Career Highlights, Honors, and Appointments

Former Assistant City Attorney, City of Austin

Former Adjunct Professor, University School of Law, Land Titles

Former Instructor, University of Texas Legal Assistance Program, Real Estate, and Austin Community College, Abstracting and Title Examination

Former Commission Member, Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Real Estate Law Legal Assistants Commission

Member, State Bar of Texas Real Estate Forms Committee

Notable Publications and Presentations

"Alternative Construction Delivery Methods for Municipal and County Projects," Author/Speaker College of Architecture Seminar, Texas A&M University, 2001.

"Purchasing Law Basics for Local Governments" Local Government Seminar 2003, Bickerstaff, Heath, Smiley, Pollan, Kever & McDaniel, L.L.P.

"Title Insurance - A Comprehensive Look into the World of Title Insurance Today," Author, National Business Institute, Mastering Real Estate Titles, 2001.

"Governmental Incentives for Real Estate Investment," Co-Author, State Bar of Texas Advanced Real Estate Law Course, 1998.

Educational and Professional Background

University of Texas (B.A. with highest honors, J.D., with Honors); Order of the Coif

Admitted to practice: Supreme Court of Texas, 1982; United States District Court, Western District of Texas.

Board Certified - Residential and Commercial Real Estate Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization