Rachel L. Burkhart

Real Estate Advocacy

Rachel counsels corporate and individual clients on disputes involving real property interests. She has helped clients navigate a variety of claims arising from real estate transactions, including breach of contract claims, corporate governance issues and white collar criminal defense. Rachel has experience with disputes involving common interest ownership associations and special tax districts. She also represents tenants and landlords in commercial lease disputes such as forcible entry and detainer actions.

Construction

Rachel advises both contractors and owners on construction-related disputes. She handles disputes related to schedule impacts, defective work and payment withholding. She is familiar with the mechanic’s lien statute and the Construction Defect Action Reform Act. Rachel has experience advocating on behalf of clients in both state court and in proceedings before the American Arbitration Association. She is also knowledgeable regarding the American Institute of Architects’ (AIA) contract forms for design and construction projects.

Land Use and Eminent Domain

Rachel assists both landowners and condemning entities in eminent domain proceedings. She advises clients and works with expert appraisers on complex valuation issues arising from the condemnation of real estate interests. She has also advocated on behalf of landowners and developers seeking land use rights and entitlements from municipal entities.

Past Experience

Prior to joining the firm, Rachel clerked for Judge David C. Godbey at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. She also worked as a litigation associate at a Dallas firm, which was consistently ranked among the top firms in the country for its litigation and appellate practice.

During law school, Rachel interned with Judge Laura Taylor Swain at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Eastern District of California.