Attorney, real estate, land use, construction, transactions

PAUL WENDLAND

San Antonio, TX 210-***-**** ***********@*****.*** linkedin.com/in/ptwendland3

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Attorney with extensive experience advising clients on real estate acquisition, disposition, residential and commercial development, land use, construction, finance, and regulatory compliance. Proven ability to deliver expert legal counsel to diverse clients, negotiate multi-million-dollar contracts, and manage complex projects. Highly skilled in drafting documents, managing operations, mitigating risk, developing legal strategy, and resolving disputes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Associate Attorney - Denton Navarro Rodriguez Bernal Santee & Zech, P.C., San Antonio, TX February 2025 - Present

Municipal law, business transactions, land use and development, public works, advise City Councils, Boards and Commissions, Economic Development Corporations, Housing Corporations.

General Counsel - JBR Holdings, LLC, San Antonio, TX August 2023 – December 2024

In-house counsel for a private equity-backed real estate development firm, advising on high value commercial projects and overseeing all legal aspects, including construction and finance-related transactions. Manage operations of the corporate office including corporate governance of more than 10 subsidiary companies, corporate reorganizations, and relations with the Fortune 100 ranked parent corporation.

Manage and work with outside counsel to negotiate and draft engineer, procurement, and construction (EPC) contracts for multi-tenant commercial real estate developments, including complex land acquisition, lease, easements, covenants, conditions, and restrictions (ECCR), and development agreements.

Directed large-scale land acquisition and development projects, securing over $30 million in real property assets and $10 million in leases, doubling project and property value.

Oversee transactional elements such as land subdivision, platting, zoning, easements, permitting, environmental evaluations, and transportation studies, in collaboration with government authorities.

Representative Project: Retail shopping center development in Georgetown, TX - negotiated contracts with government entities and major corporate tenants, including big box retail and restaurant chains.

Senior Counsel - Circle K Stores Inc., San Antonio, TX November 2021 – May 2023

Acted as lead legal counsel for nationwide real estate transactions exceeding $30 million, overseeing all aspects of the legal process for the purchase, sale, and lease of properties.

Directed disposition of over 120 commercial properties, valued at over $250 million, addressing landlord-tenant disputes, contract modifications, property development concerns, and construction requirements.

Negotiated and drafted complex transactional documents including easements, environmental indemnities, ECCRs, estoppel certificates, contractor agreements, EPC contracts, and finance documents.

Managed legal strategies related to enforcement of land use contract provisions and disputes involving permitting, eminent domain, and construction delays.

Engaged in direct negotiation of business terms with corporate partners such as Tesla, Shell, and McDonald’s.

Assistant District Attorney - Bexar County, San Antonio, TX February 2020 – March 2021

Prosecuted civil and criminal actions in County and State District Courts, with an extensive focus on high volume case management, litigation strategy, virtual proceedings, and dispute resolution.

Drafted motions, orders, affidavits, and settlement agreements for court determination, focus on civil protective orders, misdemeanor, and felony family violence prosecutions.

Counseled government entities and stakeholders on the application of the Texas Public Information Act, responding to public sector inquiries and media requests.

Senior Counsel - Walsh Gallegos P.C., San Antonio, TX June 2017 – February 2020

Acted as lead counsel for government entities and private parties in more than 40 real estate acquisition, disposition, and lease transactions. Ensured compliance with state statutes and regulations governing transactions that involved public finance and conventional finance and public facilities and private property.

Represented government entities and private parties in more than 30 public facilities construction projects involving use of public funds to contract for engineering, procurement, and construction services.

Lead EPC attorney for government clients on large scale construction projects including public facilities, infrastructure, utilities, site work, drainage, streets, landscaping, and environmental issues.

Document expert including use and edit of AIA forms, finance documents, construction warranties, insurance provisions, procurement of materials and services packages, and contractor selection documents.

Drafted agreements for easements, right-of-way, water rights, mineral interests, equipment purchases, and utilities access. Negotiated permits, insurance provisions, contract bonds, certificates of completion, warranty claims, subcontractor compensation, managed eminent domain litigation and construction litigation.

Presented transaction and project information to elected leaders in open public meetings.

Advised government entity clients regarding the Texas Public Information Act.

Assistant City Attorney - City Attorney’s Office, San Antonio, TX March 2008 – June 2017

Lead legal advisor for the City's Capital Improvements/Transportation, Development Services, and Inter-Government Affairs departments, and for the Zoning and Planning Commissions, and Board of Adjustment.

Guided all legal aspects of engineering, procurement, and construction contracting for major public works projects and capital improvements initiatives including utilities, streets, and drainage infrastructure.

Drafted numerous land use and zoning ordinances, city development code amendments, bond referendum and election agenda items, and provided risk assessment and compliance strategies for public and private sector land development projects, including environmental impact.

Represented the City in negotiations of multi-million-dollar development agreements and construction contracts, ensuring alignment with municipal priorities, budget, and regulatory frameworks.

Responded to high volume requests made under the Texas Public Information Act and testified before Texas legislative committees regarding municipal authority.

Senior Counsel - Jackson Walker L.L.P., Dallas, TX February 2007 – February 2008

Represented commercial and residential real estate developers in commercial transactions and development projects, focusing on land use, capital improvements, design strategy, and accessing public finance.

Negotiated and drafted contracts related to real estate development, public infrastructure projects, construction agreements, and financial grants, ensuring regulatory compliance.

Delivered legal services for clients involved in major multi-use urban developments and provided legal representation before regulatory bodies and government authorities.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Bachelor of Arts St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas

Graduated 1992, Dean’s Honors, top 25% of class

Juris Doctor St. Mary’s University School of Law, San Antonio, Texas

Graduated 1997, Dean’s Honors, top 10% of class

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND HONORS

Member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas

Former Board Member, Child Advocates San Antonio

Former Board Member, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star 2008 (Top 2% of Texas attorneys)

Featured in Scene in SA as one of the best lawyers in 2011

Leadership San Antonio, Class XXVIII

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