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Texas Real Estate Law Attorney - Martin Garza - headshot photo

Martin E. Garza

Attorney

E-mail Martin

Martin is a Dallas Jesuit graduate who took the long way back from Harvard (via San Juan, Puerto Rico for 5 years, then UT Austin for a JD/MBA) before starting his real estate law practice in Dallas in 1996. Martin has counseled and represented a diverse group of clients from the development, retail, service and energy industries. Martin is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED®-AP), a distinction he earned through the Green Building Certification Institute.

Martin’s practice includes, among other areas:

  • All aspects of commercial real estate, including purchase and sales agreements, due diligence, development matters, and leasing
  • Landlord and tenant representation
  • Commercial covenants, conditions and restrictions
  • Municipal gas well ordinances, including drilling regulations in the Barnett Shale

Education:

B.A., Harvard University, 1987
J.D., University of Texas at Austin School of Law, 1996 (with honors)
MBA, University of Texas at Austin, 1996 (with honors)

Prior Experience:

Partner, K&L Gates, 2008-2012
Associate, then Partner, Hughes & Luce, 1996-2008

Awards:

Who’s Who In Dallas, Houston, Pittsburgh Energy, Dallas Business Journal, 2011
Extraordinary Minorities in Texas Law, Texas Lawyer, 2009
Latino Lawyer of the Year, Hispanic National Bar Association, 2008
State Bar of Texas Presidents’ Award, 2008
Diversity Leadership Award, Texas Diversity Council, 2006
President’s Award, Dallas Hispanic Bar Association, 2006
Outstanding Minority Attorney Award, Dallas Bar Association, 2005
Texas Rising Star, Law and Politics Magazine and Texas Monthly, 2004, 2005 & 2006

Professional Membership:

Dallas Hispanic Bar Association
Hispanic National Bar Association

Admitted to Practice:

State Bar of Texas 1996

Other Affiliations/Volunteer Work:

Dallas Hispanic Bar Association Scholarship Foundation, Treasurer, 2006-2012, 2015 – 2017
Friends of Dallas Law Magnet High School Foundation, President, 2008-2011
Mexican-American Bar Association of Texas, President, 2009-2010
Board of Editors, Retail Law Strategist, 2001-2009
Founder and Member, Dallas Diversity Task Force, 2006-2008
Hispanic National Bar Association, Vice-President, External Affairs, 2004-2006
Dallas Hispanic Bar Association, President, 2005
Dallas Bar Association, Minority Participation Committee, Co-Chair, 2003, Membership and Admissions Committee, Co-Chair, 2004
UNT Dallas College of Law Founders Board
Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program

Speeches/Publications:

Oil and Gas Issues Affecting Real Estate Development – A Case Study, Advanced Real Estate Strategies 2014, Galveston, Texas, December 2014
Local Regulation of Gas Development in an Urban Setting: The Texas Experience, Institute for Energy Law 60th Annual Oil and Gas Law Conference, Houston, Texas, February, 2009
Panel Discussion on Urban Drilling and Relevant Legal Issues, 2009 Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law Symposium, Austin, Texas, January, 2009
“Rights and Powers of Local Governments to Regulate Mineral Development in Metropolitan Areas of Texas,” National Oil & Gas Royalty Conference, Dallas, Texas, October, 2008
“Gas Well Development in the Urban Environment,” American Association of Professional Landmen Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, June, 2008
Real Estate Law Client Strategies: Leading Lawyers on Structuring Transactions, Overseeing Land Use Proceedings, and Conducting Litigation Settlements and Negotiations (Inside the Minds), Aspatore Books, 2007
“There’s Gas in Them Thar Hills,” American Planners Association Conference, Fort Worth, Texas, October, 2005
“Local Regulation of Oil and Gas Operations: The Texas Experience,” Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, Houston, Texas, November, 2004
“Tenant’s Approach to Casualty-Related Provisions,” Retail Law Strategist, 2003
“Shopping Center Exclusives – A Reasonable Tenant’s Response,” Retail Law Strategist, 2001
“Fight or Invite – Perspectives on e-Commerce for the Shopping Center,” ICSC Law Conference, Orlando, Florida, 2000
“The Paralegal’s Role in the Real Estate Transaction – The Legal Support Staff in the Closing Process,” CLE presentation, Dallas, Texas, 2000
“The New Mall Reality for the Internet Age,” ICSC Law Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona, 1999