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Overview

Alecia’s unique background in local government allows her to skillfully navigate clients’ real estate development projects through complex governmental approvals.

A former Assistant City Attorney in Austin, Hutto and Georgetown, Texas, Alecia understands how development plans evolve from ideation through approvals and into reality for developers and investors. Adept at uniting developers, builders, architects, engineers and the community along the way, she is valued for her ability to streamline complex land use issues. She is likewise skilled in guiding real estate developments through the maze of ever-changing regulation with precision. Alecia attributes this skill to developing and maintaining working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the development process. Her practice focuses on land use, real estate development and governmental affairs. She tirelessly leverages her skills on behalf of clients in matters of:

  • Zoning and planning
  • Land-use entitlements
  • Variances, including other Board of Adjustment matters
  • Platting and subdivision
  • City development contracts
  • Land development codes

Alecia advocates and negotiates for clients before a wide range of governmental bodies, including local city councils, planning and zoning commissions, and zoning boards of adjustment. Clients appreciate Alecia’s experience with politically sensitive issues, her embrace of hard work and her passion for staying current with the changing aspect of land use regulation. Alecia knows that land use matters impact cities as a whole – industrial, residential, environmental and labor – and enjoys having her finger on the pulse of this spectrum.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Austin Black Business Journal, Up & Coming Top 10 Central Texas Lawyer, 2022

Education

  • J.D., Texas Tech University School of Law
    • Texas Tech Law Review, Comment Editor
  • M.A., Texas State University
    • Legal Studies
  • B.B.A., Texas State University
    • Business Management

Admissions

  • Texas

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • State Bar of Texas


*Contact Alecia to set up an in-person consultation by appointment in the Austin office.
Experience

Assistant City Attorney land use experience

  • Navigated numerous complex multi-year planned unit developments (PUDS) – negotiating with the public and council members, drafting ordinances before the city council, and collaborating closely with multiple departments to standardize project language and demands.
  • Served on city of Austin's internal staff team interpreting Chapter 245 local government code appeals, variances and hardships such as grandfathered exceptions dating back to 1918.
  • Served as legal advisor to the City of Austin Housing and Planning Department (formerly known as the Planning and Zoning Department) on land use matters related to applications to rezone property.
  • Provided detailed legal responses and counsel to city boards and commissions including the Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission, Economic Development Corporation, and Zoning and Platting Commission.
  • Drafted and reviewed land use and development agreements such as PUDs, development agreements, easements, and purchase and sale agreements.
  • Rendered opinions to the City of Austin's Development Services Department related to alcoholic beverage waivers and state law vesting rights with respect to development applications.
  • Drafted and reviewed ordinances such as Land Development Code amendments, Neighborhood Plan amendments, PUDs and rezoning ordinances, as well as supporting documentation including street deeds and restrictive covenants related to zoning cases presented to City Council.
Speaking Engagements | May 2018
Speaker, "Zoning law," CLE event, Austin, Texas
Outside the Office

If Alecia wasn’t an attorney, she might be a singer.

She performed at her own high school graduation and sings for the occasional wedding. Before their son arrived, Alecia and her husband backpacked in and around Europe for two weeks. The couple toured London, Amsterdam, Munich, Florence, the Tuscan region and Rome. Now she enjoys time outdoors with her family and can’t wait to introduce her son to gardening.