RENE RUIZ

L A N D   U S E   &  D E V E L O P M E N T

Rene Ruiz represents developers, landowners, investors and closely held businesses in land use and development matters throughout San Antonio and West and South Texas.

His practice is concentrated at the intersection of land use, administrative law, municipal law and water law, with related real estate work involving the acquisition, development and disposition of property.

BOARD CERTIFIED — ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Certified since 2012

PRACTICE

The Law Office of Rene D. Ruiz, P.C. is a solo practice.


Land Use & Municipal Law

Zoning, entitlements, annexations, variances, special exceptions, development approvals, permitting, code enforcement, and related litigation arising from land use and municipal law matters.

State Agencies & Administrative Law

Contested case hearings, enforcement actions, administrative proceedings and judicial review involving state agencies and other regulatory bodies, including matters affecting land use, development, property rights and regulated activities.

Water Law

Groundwater rights, surface water rights, and matters affecting the use, development and value of water rights, including permitting, regulatory compliance, enforcement matters, recycled water and wholesale water supply contracts.

Real Estate

Acquisition, development and disposition of real property and related transactions, including due diligence, development agreements, easements, access, drainage and title matters.

SELECTED EXPERIENCE


Large-Scale Land Development

Represented developers and landowners in zoning, entitlements, annexations, and development approvals for multi-phase projects throughout San Antonio and West and South Texas.

Variances & Board of Adjustment

Variance and board of adjustment matters, including setback issues, irregular lot configurations, access limitations, drainage conditions, existing improvements and other site-specific constraints; appeals of variance denials to district court; and representation of persons challenging the granting of variances and approvals on appeal to district court.

Land Use & Zoning Litigation

Represented property owners and developers in litigation arising from zoning, land-use decisions, development rights and municipal action.

Water Rights & Supply

Advised landowners, developers, water-rights investors and water utilities on groundwater and surface water rights, water supply contracts, recycled water, permitting and regulatory compliance, and enforcement matters.

Administrative &
Contested Case Proceedings

Represented landowners, developers and business owners in contested case hearings, enforcement proceedings, and administrative proceedings, including electric transmission line cases before the Public Utility Commission of Texas and matters before the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, and groundwater conservation districts.

Disposition of Development Property

Represented landowners and developers in the sale of development property, including developers exiting completed or substantially developed projects, drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, and coordinating closings involving title companies, lenders, buyers, sellers and other transaction parties.

Municipal Development Matters

Represented clients in complex municipal negotiations, public infrastructure commitments and policy issues involving land development in city limits and extraterritorial jurisdiction.

Real Estate Transactions

Advised clients on due diligence, purchase and sale agreements, easements, access, drainage, title and development-related property matters, including development agreements.

Municipal Enforcement Matters

Represented business clients in municipal court proceedings involving city code and regulatory violations, including matters resulting in dismissal of the alleged violations.

Before establishing the Law Office of Rene D. Ruiz, P.C. in 2018, Rene practiced with Mathews & Branscomb (1999–2004), Cox Smith Matthews (2004–2015) and Dykema Cox Smith (2015–2018), including as a partner at Cox Smith Matthews (2007–2015) and Dykema Cox Smith (2015–2018).

Rene earned his J.D., cum laude, from St. Mary's University School of Law in 1999, and a B.S. from the University of Houston in 1992.

RENE RUIZ

Rene practices as a solo attorney and limits the engagements he accepts. He personally handles the substantive legal work on each matter and regularly works as part of client teams that include title companies, surveyors, architects, engineers and other professionals. He also serves as special counsel on litigation teams involving land use, municipal, administrative or water law.

THE PRACTICE

CONTACT

Law Office of Rene D. Ruiz, P.C.

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 831294 San Antonio, Texas, 78283

Telephone:
(210) 621-8071