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College: Colorado College
Law School: University of Minnesota
Admitted to the State Bar of Texas in: 1985
Practice Area(s):
Real EstateProfile:
Ms. Smith, a senior counsel of the Firm, practices in the Business Section. She worked in title insurance and commercial real estate development for eleven years before attending law school, and she has used that practical experience in the practice of law for over twenty years. She believes that the practice of law is a service industry that requires collaboration with the client (communication with and understanding the business objective of the client), offering sound and creative advice, and promptly and accurately documenting the transaction. Her practice includes the representation of both national and local clients, with a concentration in all aspects of commercial real estate, including residential and condominium development.
Scope of Practice:
Commercial real estate transactions (leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, development and lending); banking and general business law (formation and operation of business entities).
Recent Representations:
Represents national restaurant and retail clients in acquisition, disposition and leasing, including negotiation and drafting of all documentation (purchase and sale agreements, leases. reciprocal easement and covenant agreements), assistance with due diligence, title and survey review and coordination with governmental entities.
Represents national quick lube chain in acquisition, disposition and leasing of company operated and franchised properties, including familiarization with its UFOC and compliance of all documentation and procedures with the UFOC.
Represented partnership involved in acquisition, development and operating of joint project for a hotel, convention center and parking garage, including negotiation and drafting of the condominium declaration governing space/cost sharing and management, and coordination with the city for financing.
Represented federal Savings and Loan Association in loan work out, acquisition, leasing and ultimate disposition of the property (movie theater, food court and hotel).
Represented residential mortgage lender with respect to secured line of credit financing, portfolio servicing sales and acquisitions, and advertising compliance.
Prior to Law School, commercial escrow officer and manager for national title insurance companies and closing manager for real estate developer (commercial and time-sharing vacation property).
Professional Affiliations:
American Bar Association; Real Estate Section of the State Bar of Texas; Dallas Bar Association.
Admissions:
State Bar of Texas; State Bars of Colorado and Minnesota (currently inactive).
Community Activities:
Girl Scouts, previously on the Board of Directors of the Tejas Council (North Texas); Homeowners' Association, member of the Board of Directors for several terms.
Education:
University of Minnesota Law School, J.D., 1985; Colorado College, B. A., 1971. | 