Experienced. Practical. Creative.
At Baker Robertson & O’Brien, we’re more than just a general practice law firm. From business and real estate contracts to corporate law, estate planning, and general litigation, we bring years of experience to help our clients develop and implement solutions to meet their legal challenges.
From former judges and large firm lawyers to judicial law clerks and city attorneys, we pair deal-making savvy with courtroom strategy to help our clients achieve their goals.
Real Estate & Land Use
Baker Robertson & O’Brien represents clients in both areas of real estate law -- transactional and litigation work. A comprehensive real estate practice allows us to help clients from start to finish. On the transactional side, we handle sales contracts and leases, title insurance matters, construction concerns (including lien matters), subdivision and condominium creation, and 1031 exchanges. Our real estate litigation cases involve fraud, contracts, evictions, HOA disputes and deed restrictions, water and mineral rights, and more. For more than thirty years, the Firm has regularly represented property owners, purchasers, developers, builders, lenders, and municipalities in the purchase, sale, and residential and commercial development of land.
Commercial Lending
The Firm provides cost-effective legal counsel to multiple banking institutions by strategically structuring and documenting complex financing transactions, ranging from term loans to syndicated revolving credit facilities. Our lawyers meticulously draft and negotiate the core transaction documents on behalf of the lender, including comprehensive credit agreements, promissory notes, security agreements, and corporate guarantees. Additionally, we assist in performing due diligence on prospective corporate borrowers and ensure that the bank's security interests in the borrower's underlying collateral are legally perfected and enforceable.
Corporate, SMB, and Consultancies
We assist entrepreneurs and established local businesses by creating solid legal foundations, which includes forming appropriate business entities and drafting comprehensive operating agreements. They frequently act as outsourced general counsel to support day-to-day operations by reviewing commercial leases, negotiating vendor contracts, and structuring employee or independent contractor agreements. Additionally, these attorneys protect the company's long-term interests by ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance, resolving vendor or customer disputes, and providing practical advice to mitigate everyday operational liabilities.
Startups
We guide founders through the critical early stages of business formation by selecting the optimal entity structure, establishing founder equity agreements, and securing initial intellectual property. As the company seeks capital, Rex IV play a pivotal role in fundraising by negotiating term sheets, drafting complex investment documents, and ensuring compliance with state and federal securities laws. Furthermore, we support the startup's ongoing growth by drafting employment contracts, negotiating vendor agreements, and providing strategic counsel to mitigate daily operational risks.
M&A + Business Succession
The Firm plays a crucial role in advising clients on the strategic structuring of complex business transactions, whether they are buying, selling, or merging companies. They meticulously conduct extensive due diligence to uncover potential hidden liabilities, assessing the target company's financial, operational, and legal standing to protect their client's interests. Furthermore, these attorneys are responsible for drafting and heavily negotiating the primary transaction documents, including asset or stock purchase agreements, indemnification clauses, and complex financing terms. Finally, they navigate regulatory hurdles, secure necessary antitrust approvals, and manage the intricate final closing process to ensure a seamless legal transition of ownership.
Litigation
Baker Robertson & O’Brien strives to help its clients attain their goals in the most efficient and productive manner possible. However, there are times when disputes arise and litigation is unavoidable. Our experience in business and civil litigation helps identify resolutions before litigation ensues, limits the time and expense associated with prosecuting or defending a lawsuit, and helps clients understand the costs and benefits of a lawsuit and potential resolution. We have experience in real estate, contract, trade secret, non-competition, fraud, and other types of cases in both state and federal court.
Because of our many years of local experience, our attorneys serve as local counsel for matters in Hays County.
We recognize that estate planning goals are unique to our individual clients. We help clients design and implement estate plans ranging from the simple to the complicated, including drafting wills, trusts and other non-probate transfer documents. We strive to offer cost-effective, practical solutions suitable for our clients’ goals. When the time comes to administer an estate, we assist executors and administrators in the probate process, our attorneys have the necessary experience to guide them through the process in a cost-efficient manner. Cristina leads our Estate Planning and Probate section. Dan, a former probate judge, also advised clients, drawing on his experience handling hundreds of probate proceedings.
Wills, Estate Planning and Probate
Municipal
Laura and Rex III bring a wealth of experience in addressing municipal law matters. Laura previously served as Assistant General Counsel at the Texas Municipal League, served as outside general counsel for multiple municipalities, and as City Attorney for the City of Dripping Springs. Rex III previously served as City Attorney for the City of Dripping Springs and the City of Horseshoe Bay. This experience helps them represent city clients of the firm and in negotiations with other governmental entities, including Hays County. Laura also regularly trains city and government officials through the Texas Municipal League, Texas Municipal Courts Education Center, and the Texas City Attorneys Association.
Mediation + Arbitration
Most litigation matters are resolved before trial through an agreement of the parties. Dan and Cristina assist local attorneys by providing mediation services in Hays County. Both Dan and Cristina are qualified to hear conduct mediations in general civil and family law matters. Cristina focuses on family law mediations and Dan addresses other civil disputes, including real estate, business, and probate matters. Each brings more than 20 years of experience to help parties resolve cases in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Apellate
A successful trial practice requires an understanding of the litigation process from start to finish, including the appeals process. The trial and appeals processes are drastically different in how the respective courts operate, what they may consider, and the types of relief they may provide to litigants. Our attorneys include former trial judges and appellate court law clerks. With involvement in numerous appeals, Baker Robertson & O’Brien has the necessary experience to effectively represent clients in civil appellate matters.