Michelle R. Morris
Partner
Ms. Morris heads the Firm’s Facilities and Business Law Section. For over twenty-four years, her practice has been focused in the areas of facilities, business and commercial operations for educational institutions, including all aspects of public procurement and contracting. She is experienced in all aspects of construction law, including capital program planning and execution, the procurement, negotiation and preparation of contracts with design professionals, contractors and other project consultants. She represents clients in construction and design disputes, warranty claims, surety/bonding issues, and prevailing wage compliance. Additionally, Ms. Morris represents governmental entities through all aspects of real estate and land development transactions, including the negotiation and drafting of real estate contracts, leases, easements and development agreements. She routinely assists clients through due diligence, permitting, platting, zoning, infrastructure and utility development, and represents clients in eminent domain proceedings as both the condemnor and condemnee. Ms. Morris is also experienced in negotiating and reviewing energy, technology and economic development contracts for her government sector clients. Throughout the state, she routinely provides training to governmental entities, is a frequent speaker at conferences, and serves as a certification course instructor for the Texas Association of School Business Officials.
Practice Areas
- Facilities and Construction
- Business and Operations
- Real Estate and Land Development
- School Consulting
- Purchasing and Procurement
- Commercial Transactions
- Board Governance and Policy Development
- Contract Review
- Technology
- Eminent Domain
- Higher Education
Education
- Texas A & M University and Koriyama, Japan (B.A., International Studies/Economics, 1994)
- South Texas College of Law (J.D. 1997)
- Notes Editor, South Texas College of Law International Trade Law Journal
- Varsity Moot Court Team, Three time National Champion
- Dean’s List
- Dean’s Outstanding Advocate Award
- Student Bar Association Outstanding Female Graduate Award
- Order of the Barristers
Activities and Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas Construction Law Section
- State Bar of Texas Real Estate Law Section
- State Bar of Texas School Law Section
- Texas Council of School Attorneys
- National Charity League, Houston Hearts Chapter
- Member and Confirmation Table Leader, Chapelwood United Methodist Church
Bar/Court Admissions
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Southern and Eastern Districts of Texas
- All state courts of Texas