The Weaver Law Firm
Practice focus: Residential and commercial real estate (only)
Founder Richard Weaver holds dual Texas Board Certifications in Residential AND Commercial Real Estate Law.
- Fee structure
- Flat + hourly
Buying, selling, or fighting over property in Houston? Get a real estate lawyer.
Top 10 Real Estate Lawyers in Houston
Texas does not require an attorney for residential closings — title companies handle most paperwork. But Houston real estate is its own kind of complicated: hurricane and flood history disclosure, mineral rights reservation, surface use agreements, MUD/PID districts, deed restriction subdivisions. The right Houston real estate lawyer pays for themselves the first time something goes wrong.
These 10 Houston firms cover residential closings, commercial transactions, landlord-tenant disputes, oil/gas mineral rights, and complex development matters.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Texas Real Estate & Business Law Firm PLLC
Practice focus: Commercial and residential transactions, business
Dedicated Texas real estate boutique. Strong client communication and aggressive representation.
- Fee structure
- Flat + hourly
- Free consultation
- Free initial
Silberman Law Firm, PLLC
Practice focus: Residential and commercial closings, title issues
Closing attorney for Fidelity National Title (largest title insurance underwriter in U.S.). Strong title-clearing practice.
- Fee structure
- Flat for closings + hourly
- Free consultation
- Paid
Hensley & Krueger, PLLC
Practice focus: Commercial real estate transactions and disputes
Decades of combined Houston commercial real estate experience. Strong landlord-tenant litigation practice.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Vinson & Elkins LLP — Real Estate Practice
Practice focus: Major commercial real estate, finance, energy real estate
Houston-headquartered global firm. Premier commercial real estate practice for energy, REITs, and major developers.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Porter Hedges LLP — Real Estate
Practice focus: Commercial real estate, development, finance
Major Houston firm with strong commercial real estate development and finance practice.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Husch Blackwell — Houston Real Estate
Practice focus: Commercial real estate, development, leasing
Strong Houston commercial real estate practice. Multiple Best Lawyers attorneys.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Andrews Myers, P.C.
Practice focus: Real estate, business, construction, litigation
Multi-practice Houston firm with strong real estate transactional and dispute work.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Cantrell, Cantrell, & Owens, P.C.
Practice focus: Residential and commercial real estate, business
50+ years of Houston real estate practice. Multi-generational firm with strong client base.
- Fee structure
- Flat + hourly
- Free consultation
- Paid
Roberts Markel Weinberg Butler Hailey, PC
Practice focus: Commercial real estate, condo/HOA, landlord-tenant
Strong Texas condominium and HOA practice. Multiple Best Lawyers attorneys.
- Fee structure
- Hourly + retainer
- Free consultation
- Paid
Not sure which firm is right for you?
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Request Free Consultation →What to expect from a Houston real estate transaction
Most Houston residential closings take 30-45 days from contract through escrow. A real estate lawyer reviews the TREC contract, addresses title issues, drafts addenda, and represents you in disputes. Commercial transactions take 4-6 months for leasing, 6-12 months for acquisitions. Houston mineral-rights and oil-and-gas leasing add another layer (Railroad Commission, surface-use agreements).
What does a real estate lawyer in Houston cost?
Houston residential transaction review: $750-$2,500 flat fee or $300-$600/hour. Commercial: hourly + retainer. Boundary and title disputes can run $20,000-$100,000+ depending on complexity. Oil-and-gas mineral rights work is hourly with substantial retainers.
Red flags to watch for when picking a real estate lawyer in Houston
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of Houston real estate firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Houston lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most Houston firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
- Who, specifically, will handle my case day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
- How many cases like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
- What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign.
- What case expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
- What is the realistic range of outcomes for a case like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
- How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
- Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Larger cases routinely involve outside experts. Know who's on the team.
- How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
- What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms. Make sure you understand the mechanics.
- What's the worst-case outcome for my case? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What's specific about a real estate case in Houston
Houston is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. Harris County District Courts and the Southern District of Texas have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Houston firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to buy a home in Houston?
Texas doesn't require it — title companies handle most paperwork. Recommended for any non-standard deal: foreclosures, short sales, multi-unit, fixer-uppers with permit issues, properties with mineral rights, or anything in a flood zone.
What is mineral rights severance in Texas?
Texas allows the surface estate (the land itself) to be owned separately from the mineral estate (oil, gas, coal, etc.). Many Texas properties have severed minerals. You may be buying surface rights only. Title commitments usually disclose this — but a lawyer reads and explains them.
What's a TREC contract?
The Texas Real Estate Commission promulgates standard residential contract forms. They're the default for residential transactions. They include an option period (similar to attorney review) — a buyer can typically terminate during the option for any reason.
My landlord is trying to evict me in Houston. What do I do?
Stop. Don't sign anything. Texas tenant-protection laws are weaker than CA or NY but you still have rights — proper notice, habitability, security deposit return. Justice of the Peace courts handle most evictions; you have the right to appeal.
Do I need a lawyer for a residential lease in Texas?
For market-rate apartment leases, usually no. For high-value rentals, commercial space, or anything that includes guarantees, build-out, or option-to-buy, yes.
Related reading
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team