Gwen Smith
Real Estate Attorney
Gwen Smith joined Moody Law Group PLLC as a contract attorney in 2012; and became of counsel with the firm earlier this year. Gwen has an extensive background in commercial real estate law with a focus on leasing. Gwen’s background and experience in commercial real estate leasing is a tremendous resource to our clients and our firm.
Prior to joining Moody Law Group, Gwen worked with several law firms and corporations, including Weingarten Realty Investors and Nathan Sommers Jacobs, where her practice focused on retail, restaurant and shopping center leasing.
Gwen has a flexible schedule to allow her to balance her legal work and involvement in the community.
Recent Experience
- Representation of landlords in leases with national and regional tenants:
- Old Navy, Bath & Body Works, DSW, Rack Room Shoes, Starbucks, Freebirds, Olive Garden, and Kraton Polymers US
- Representation of retail tenants in negotiation of leases with:
- Simon Property Group, Inc. (Houston, Atlanta, Dallas),
- General Growth Properties and
- NorthPark Partners, LP (North Park Mall, Dallas)
Employment History
- MOODY LAW GROUP, Houston, Texas June 2012 to Present
- Of Counsel – Commercial real estate leasing and transactional work, primarily focused on the negotiation of retail, office and industrial leases
- NATHAN SOMMERS JACOBS, Houston, Texas September 2006 to May 2012
- Of Counsel – Commercial real estate leasing and transactional work, primarily negotiation of retail and office leases,
- WEINGARTEN REALTY INVESTORS, Houston, Texas April 2003 to August 2006
- Contract Attorney – Review and abstract of non-standard shopping center leases for acquisitions group
- FAMILY AND VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES 1990 to April 2003
- P. KELLER COMPANY, Houston, Texas 1990
- Contract Attorney – Handled general real estate transactions, negotiation of commercial loan documents, drafting and negotiation of tenant leases
- BAKER, BROWN, SHARMAN & PARKER (now Thompson & Knight L.L.P.) 1978 to 1986
- Partner (1984-1986) – General real estate and mortgage lending
- Commercial real estate matters included preparation and negotiation of documents for real estate loans, negotiation of transactions for purchase, development and sale of office buildings, shopping centers and apartment complexes, and due diligence in connection with acquisition of commercial properties.
- Residential real estate transactions included preparation of standardized loan documents for use by banks, mortgage companies and savings and loan associations, review of documentation and procedures used by clients for compliance with applicable residential mortgage laws and regulations, and oversight of firm paralegals in preparation of loan documents for mortgage lenders
Education
- J.D. University of Texas, 1977
- B.A. Texas A&M University, 1975
- Summa Cum Laude; Political Science, Minor in Accounting
Admissions
- State Bar of Texas, 1978 (Inactive status 1991 – 2002)
Volunteer Activites
- St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
- Member of the Vestry-2014 to present
- Altar Guild President-2014-2015
- Garden Club of Houston
- The Junior League of Houston-member since 1986
- Member of Board of Directors 1988-1991
- Financial Vice President 1990-1991
- Advisory member to Board of Directors and Finance Council
- River Oaks Rose Club-President 2013
- The Women’s Fund for Health, Education and Research
- Board of Directors-4 years
- Advisory Board-4 years
- The Kinkaid School
- Episcopal High School