Richard L. Spencer | Senior Counsel
The Deal Closer
“Clients hire me because I’m a deal guy. When it comes to buying or selling, lending or borrowing, I know how to get things done.” – Rick Spencer
Rick Spencer is a transactional attorney who knows how to close deals. The value he brings to any deal is his ability to anticipate potential problems, and proactively address them. Clients recognize his strength in providing quality legal services in a prompt manner, with a sharp focus on the details. An astute problem solver, he is able to close complex deals, faster and more efficiently.
Rick’s education and experience provide the foundation to better comprehend the nuances of complex transactions, and move business forward for his clients. His 27 years of legal experience, Board Certification in Real Estate Law, and an MBA in Finance and Accounting make him uniquely qualified to unravel the challenges of an intricate case, and create a positive outcome for his client. Well known for his skills as a transactional attorney, Rick is often referred business transactions by other attorneys, both inside and outside the firm.
Rick has been board certified in Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization for nearly 20 years. He is active in teaching other attorneys, and authors the form books approved by the Texas State Bar. He actively contributes to increasing attorney competence in real estate issues for the State Bar of Texas. Rick has served as Course Director for both Advanced Real Estate Law and Advanced Real Estate Drafting classes, and has served on the State Bar’s Real Estate Forms Committee for the past 17 years.
Rick is able to provide a clear advantage to clients he represents and attorneys he educates from his close proximity to State real estate legislation. Through his involvement with cutting edge statutory and case law changes, he gains advanced insights that can influence current and future cases, and puts him in the position of passing the latest information to the rest of the State Bar.
Rick holds the honored distinction of being selected by his peers to be one of only 40 members of the American College of Real Estate Attorneys, in Texas. He has been designated a Super Lawyer® by Texas Monthly, every year since 2003, placing him in the top 5% of attorneys in the State of Texas. He has also been chosen as a Top Lawyer by H Magazine for the past three years. He is a respected author and speaker on a variety of real estate topics.
Focus Areas
Commercial Real Estate
Corporate Transactions
Mergers and Acquisitions
Featured Transactions
* Orchestrated the $55 million financing of the Magnolia Hotel.
* Represented a $660 million work-out portfolio for First City, Texas.
* Conducted nearly 2,000 real property foreclosures.
* Documented a mixed-use downtown development that included two hotels, condominiums, and retail.
* Represented a developer in a 2,500 acre master-planned development.
* Represented the City in the acquisition of an old YMCA property, which was converted into a community center.
* Facilitated a land swap between the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the First Presbyterian Church, which allowed for museum expansion and increased access to parking for both entities.
* Represented a purchaser of several automobile dealerships.
* Acquired and sold over 5,000 apartment units.
* Represented appraisal district in collection of ad valorem taxes.
* Acted as expert witness on real estate, legal malpractice, and ethics matters.
* Represented Receiver for State Securities Board in asset seizures in securities fraud actions.
* Acquired third-largest citrus fruit producer in Rio Grande Valley.
* Acquired, consolidated, and sold three oilfield service companies.
* Defended spot currency trading company against securities fraud claims.
* Acquired major sportswear manufacturer.
* Provided legal opinions in lending transactions totaling over $300 million.
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1981
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
Education
University of Houston, Houston, Texas, J.D. 1981
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, M.B.A. Finance and Accounting 1976
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, B.B.A Finance and Accounting 1974
Board Certified in Commercial and Residential Real Estate Law, 1989-Present
Honors and Awards
Who’s Who Legal – Texas 2008
Named one of Texas’ Super Lawyers® by Key Professional Media, as published in Texas Monthly magazine each year, from 2003-2009
H Magazine “Top Lawyer,” 2005-2007
AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Professional Associations and Memberships
Licensed Real Estate Broker – Texas
American College of Real Estate Attorneys – Fellow
Texas College of Real Estate Attorneys – Board of Directors, 2003-2004
Texas College of Real Estate Attorneys – Chairman, 2004-2008
Real Estate Forms Committee, State Bar of Texas – Member 1991-Present
Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, State Bar of Texas – Council Member 2000-2004
Ethics and Professionalism Subcommittee, Annual Meeting 2003 – Chair
Committee for Drafting and Adoption of the Uniform Assignment of Leases and Rents Act – Chairman, 2009-2011
Resolutions Committee, Annual Meeting 2003 – Council Representative
College of the State Bar – Life Fellow
4D-10 Grievance Committee – Member, 1994-2000
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Real Estate Law – Course Director 2000
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Real Estate Drafting – Course Director 2007
University of Texas Mortgage Lending Institute, 2001
University of Texas Leasing Institute, 2004-2005
South Texas College of Law Real Estate Course – Course Director 2002
American Inns of Court – Master
Committee on Brokers and Brokerage – ABA-Former
Briefing Attorney, Hon. Richard N. Countiss, Texas Court of Appeals 1981-82
Author and Speaker
Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Reporter, Spring 2003
University of Texas, Mortgage Lending Institute, 1998-2008
State Bar of Texas, Advanced Real Estate Law, 1997-2008
Advanced Real Estate Drafting, 1994-2002, 2007-2008
South Texas College of Law, Real Estate Law Program, 1997-2004
Houston SBA Advisory Council, 1992
Gulf Coast Legal Foundation, 1986
CLE Planning Committees
Advanced Real Estate Drafting Course – Member 1996, 2000-2002, 2007-2009
Advanced Real Estate Law Course, 1997, 1999, 2002-2009
South Texas College of Law, Real Estate Program, 1997-2004
University of Texas Mortgage Lending Institute, 1998-2009
University of Texas Leasing Institute, 2004-2005, 2007
