Dan A. Walls
Founding Member, Dallas Office
With two decades of experience in commercial real estate, Dan provides an insightful approach to every transaction he handles. Before transitioning into private practice, he served as in-house counsel for a company specializing in the development and management of retail shopping centers. This role provided him with invaluable "in the room" experience and insight into high stakes deals from the client’s perspective. Currently, most of Dan's clients are developers and investors who particularly value his deep understanding of their needs and his adeptness at navigating complex deals. Dan is known for his ability to effectively balance speed and caution, optimizing transactions to maximize potential while minimizing risks.
Prior to joining Walls Landry Baker & Oliver, Dan was a partner in the real estate section of another Dallas law firm for over a decade. His extensive experience has honed his skills in assessing, measuring, and mitigating risk, enabling him to effectively advise clients on both the opportunities and pitfalls of their investments.
Dan holds a J.D. from SMU Dedman School of Law, obtained in 2004, and a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, earned in 2000. While at UT, Dan was a member of the Silver Spurs organization and took pride in handling the school mascot, Bevo. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, including its Corporate Counsel and Real Estate Section, and the Probate and Trust Section. He is also a member of the Dallas Bar Association. His legal awareness is complemented by his community involvement and dedication to professional growth, making him a trusted advisor and advocate for his clients' real estate interests.
Dan's extensive experience in commercial real estate is highlighted by his role in transformative projects across Texas. He notably facilitated the development of the Victory Park Planned Development in Dallas, which included the W Dallas Victory Hotel and spanned over 421,617 square feet of mixed-use space. He also represented the developer of Weir’s Plaza, awarded “Best Urban Project” by the Dallas Business Journal in 2020, a project featuring 250,312 square feet of Class A mixed-use office space in Dallas' Knox/Henderson Uptown area. These major projects underscore Dan's capability to manage complex transactions that promote regional economic development and meet the evolving needs of the market.
When Dan isn't focusing on deals, he and his wife, Tracy, enjoy an active lifestyle. With three children and a wide circle of friends, Dan spends his time outside the office traveling, enjoying the outdoors, savoring good food and wine, and attending their kids' many sporting events.
Credentials
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Real Estate
Business
Contracts
Wills-Trusts-Probate
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Member, State Bar of Texas, Real Estate Section
J.D., SMU Dedman School of Law, 2004
B.A., University of Texas at Austin, 2000
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Served as in-house counsel for a company focused on retail shopping center development and management, providing insights on high-stakes transactions.
Supported the development of Victory Park Planned Development in Dallas, including the W Dallas Victory Hotel and 421,617 square feet of mixed-use space.
Represented the developer for Weir’s Plaza, a 250,312-square-foot Class A mixed-use office project in Dallas, which received the "Best Urban Project" award from the Dallas Business Journal in 2020.
Partnered in the real estate section at a Dallas law firm for over a decade, advising on complex commercial real estate transactions.
Experienced in advising developers and investors on risk mitigation and opportunity optimization for major real estate projects
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