Mark Bentley Email & Phone Number

Austin, Tx, Us

Austin, Texas

General practice of real estate and oil and gas law

Austin

Oil and Gas and Real Estate Attorney, with primary responsibility for University Lands operations in Austin and Midland and real estate transactions throughout the University of Texas System. Counseled and advised institutional business officers and attorneys in real estate and transactional matters for the 6 medical institutions, 10 academic institutions, and UT System Administration. Served as counsel to the Board for Lease of University Lands, a state agency charged with the leasing of Permanent University Fund lands for oil and gas purposes. Coordinated and assisted outside counsel and Texas Attorney General’s Office in litigation matters. Real estate matters included acquisitions, sales, leases, easements, licenses, review and examination of title commitments (ALTA, CLTA, and TLTA) and surveys, regular dealing with title companies, review of environmental surveys and reports, and zoning and land use issues. Drafted oil and gas leases, surface easements, assignments, unitization and pooling agreements, gas contracts, and related documents.

Dallas And Austin

General real estate and business practice. My typical client was a small to mid-range owner of shopping center or office property, and my work involved tenant relations and leasing, financing, acquisition and disposition, and entity formation. Negotiated and drafted contracts for purchase and sale, easements, ground leases, loans, and construction contracts for the development of apartments, office buildings, and shopping centers, and office and shopping center leases (from landlord and tenant perspectives). Handled corporate formation and maintenance, and general transactional work such as sales and purchases of businesses. Litigated numerous cases, including jury trials, as 1st chair counsel involving commercial, real estate, consumer protection, and other matters, and briefed and argued cases to the court of appeals. Mediated over 50 cases as a court-appointed mediator.

Dallas, Texas

Responsible for the negotiation and drafting of Power Purchase Agreements, Cogeneration Steam Supply Agreements, and real estate contracts of all types. Responsible for environmental compliance and investigations, and associated due diligence. Reviewed laws and regulations from the United States and several Latin American countries, and traveled extensively to Colombia and Mexico in support of business development. Hired and supervised outside counsel in Colombia and Mexico.

Irving, Texas

Worked independently and in coordination with the various client departments (development, design & construction, marketing, finance & administration, and operations) as counsel to the corporation.Responsible for the negotiation and drafting of hotel management agreements, joint venture agreements, ground leases, development agreements, loan agreements, promissory notes, contracts of purchase and sale, easement agreements, architectural services agreements, interior design agreements, construction contracts, guaranty agreements, subordination and non-disturbance agreements, and various ancillary amendments, assignments, opinion letters, releases, letters of credit, and other agreements. Transactions included purchase of raw land, office leases, ground leases, purchase of existing and operating hotels, sales of operating hotels, development of new hotels, and loans on hotels. Reviewed and negotiated operational contracts (equipment leases, telephone contracts, maintenance agreements, purchase orders and sales agreements, booking agreements, and employment agreements) and provided everyday advice to hotel-level employees. Participated in operations in Mexico, Canada, and Pacific Rim nations.

Dallas, Texas

Started and built an "A V" rated law practice employing five attorneys and five support staff. Performed title curative work, including affidavits, quitclaims, and assignments. Researched and wrote over 125 oil and gas title opinions. Drafted partnership agreements, business buy-sell agreements, and various other business agreements. Negotiated work-outs, reorganizations, and arrangements. Handled foreclosures and bankruptcies, from both the creditor and debtor perspective. Performed estate planning, drafted wills and trusts, and administered estates in probate court.

Dallas, Texas

Provided active back-up to insurance agents who were proposing insurance sales in small business situations, or where coordination with estate planning or trusts was needed. Instructed agents on the tax ramifications of various insurance policies and ownership arrangements, and prepared monthly articles for publication in newsletters distributed by the company to its agents

J.D, Law

Activities and Societies: President, International Law Society; Staff member, Texas International Law Journal.

B.A., Honors Studies (Psychology)

Activities and Societies: Marching Band, Phi Mu Alpha, Honors Council (President 1969-1971)

Education record