Joel W. Heydenburk
Practice Areas
Experience
- Construction & Development
- Healthcare Real Estate
- Industrial Real Estate
- Investment, Leasing, & Management
- Office Real Estate
- Real Estate Acquisition & Disposition
- Restaurant Real Estate
- Retail & Mixed Use Real Estate
- Self-Storage Facilities
Biography
Joel focuses his practice on real estate transactions and operational issues in connection with commercial real estate. Joel regularly represents landlords and tenants in the preparation and negotiation of commercial office, retail, and industrial property leases in Texas and other states across the nation. His experience consists of representing buyers and sellers in acquisitions and sales of commercial properties ranging from $1 million and exceeding $200 million. Further, Joel has experience representing healthcare providers and hospital systems in connection with healthcare focused real estate transactions, including development, leasing, and disputes. Joel also represents commercial debt holders and servicers in foreclosure proceedings in Texas. He also represents commercial real estate owners and managers in connection with telecommunications matters including telecommunication lease agreements, rooftop lease agreements, rooftop and cabling agreements, and cabling agreements.
Education
B.B.A., Texas Christian University
M.B.A., Texas Tech University
J.D., cum laude, Texas Tech University School of Law
- Business Manager, Texas Tech Law Review
Bar Admissions
Texas
- Represents the board of a public transit agency for a large urban county in board governance matters, public meetings, transactional projects, and litigation.
- Represented a large nonprofit health system in connection with the acquisition of 77,000 + square foot medical office building and ground lease interest in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Represented a large nonprofit health system in connection with various raw land transaction for future development in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
- Represented seller in the disposition of an approximately 400,000 square foot three-building office complex in the Preston Center area of Dallas, Texas.
- Represented an institutional landlord in connection with a complex 100,000+ square foot lease of the US headquarters of an international financial services company in downtown Dallas, Texas.
- Represented an institutional landlord in connection with a complex 238,000+ square foot lease to a Fortune 50 international financial services company in downtown Dallas, Texas.
- Represented the tenant in a complex 230,000+ square foot lease renewal of the corporate headquarters for a financial services company in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.
- Represented a large nonprofit hospital and health system in connection with multiple leasing and real estate development transactions throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
- Represented the seller in the disposition of a 33 acre multi-building “to-the-trade” commercial development in Dallas, Texas; which was an award winning transaction
- Represented an institutional landlord in connection with a complex 250,000 square foot lease renewal of the corporate headquarters of a large hospital operator in Dallas, Texas; which was an award winning transaction
- Assisted in the representation of an industrial manufacturer in the sale of such business’ assets and related real estate transactions in connection therewith
- Assisted in the representation of a large commercial mortgage servicer in connection with various owned commercial real estate assets including a retail mall, retail pad sites, and retail strip centers at locations throughout Texas
- Assisted in the representation of commercial landlords and managers in connection with various telecommunications transactions
- Assisted in the representation of purchaser in the acquisition of a 20-story Class A office building in Atlanta, Georgia
- Assisted in the representation of seller in the sale of a multi-building office complex in Las Colinas/Irving, Texas
- Assisted in the representation of the owner of industrial warehouse facility in connection with various leasing transactions in Fort Worth, Texas
- Assisted in the representation of large landlord in connection with various lease transactions ranging from 1,000 square feet to 250,000 square feet at various office buildings throughout the southern United States
- Assisted in the representation of purchaser in the acquisition of a 20-story Class A office building in Fort Worth, Texas
- Assisted in the representation of seller in the sale of a large commercial farm portfolio located in multiple states throughout the western United States
- Assisted in the representation of banks and bond holders in connection with complex foreclosures throughout North Texas
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2021-2026
- Land Use and Zoning Law, 2023
- Real Estate Law, 2021-2026
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2020-2025
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers â Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2018
- “Top Attorneys” List â Real Estate, Fort Worth Magazine, 2006-2020, 2022-2024
- “Top Attorneys” List â Real Estate, 360 West, 2018, 2021, 2025
- “40 Under 40” List, Fort Worth Business Press, 2011
Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth, Past Chairman, Founding/Sustaining Member, Board Member, Past Vice-Chair
- Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Board Member and Executive Committee
- Tarrant County Bar Association â Real Estate Section
- Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, Past President
- Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Past Associate Member
- Leadership Fort Worth, Class of 2009-2010
Community Involvement
- Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth, Board of Trustees, 2017-2018 President, 2019-2020 Past-President
- Junior Achievement of Chisholm Trail, Inc., Volunteer Teacher
- The Texas Lyceum, 2018 Director, Executive Committee
- BNSF Next Generation Leadership Program at Texas Christian Universityâs Neeley School of Business, Business Coach
- Fort Worth Independent School Districtâs 2010 Census and Nine Single-Member Districts Redistricting Committee
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reutersâ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 18, 2025
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 106 âOnes to Watchâ
The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.
Attorney News • August 21, 2025
Nineteen Jackson Walker Attorneys Recognized by â360 West Magazineâ as Top Fort Worth Lawyers in 2025
Jackson Walker is proud to celebrate 19 attorneys recognized as 2025 âTop Attorneysâ by 360 West Magazine for their outstanding work across Fort Worthâs legal community. Congratulations to all the honorees!
Attorney News • July 21, 2025
âFort Worth Magazineâ Lists 27 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the âTop Attorneysâ of 2024
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 27 Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazineâs âTop Attorneysâ list for 2024. To be selected for inclusion, attorneys with an active license and who practice within the Tarrant County area must be nominated by their peers within the region. The list of nominees then goes through a ârigorous panel review to assure the highest of quality is met.â
Attorney News • December 20, 2024
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its âTexas Super Lawyersâ of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reutersâ 2024 âTexas Super Lawyersâ list.
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 17, 2024
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 15, 2024
Joel Heydenburk Discusses Evolution of Fort Worth Real Estate on ‘Location Cubed’ Podcast
As Chairman of the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth, Joel stated, âThe brand of the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth has grown, and itâs because we are a sober, constructive voice. Thereâs no âgotchas,â thereâs no âHey, I want credit for this.â We donât care about credit. We want to be a part of the conversation where things are done right.â
Mentions • April 23, 2024
‘Fort Worth Magazine’ Lists 16 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the “Top Attorneys” of 2023
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 16 Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazineâs âTop Attorneysâ list for 2023. To be selected for inclusion, attorneys with an active license and who practice within the Tarrant County area must be nominated by their peers within the region. The list of nominees then goes through a ârigorous panel review to assure the highest of quality is met.â
Attorney News • December 12, 2023
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 19, 2023
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
Attorney News • August 17, 2023
Joel Heydenburk Takes on Bigger Role in Fort Worth Real Estate | Fort Worth Report
On June 25, 2022, Fort Worth real estate partner Joel W. Heydenburk began his two-year term as Board Chairman of the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth (REC of GFW). Recently, Joel spoke with the Fort Worth Report about continuing the momentum of his predecessors â most importantly, the future real estate development plans for the Panther Island project north of downtown Fort Worth.
Mentions • February 8, 2023
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 21, 2022
âWhat Does This Community Need?â: A Birdâs-Eye View on Fort Worth Real Estate
In a recent interview with Dallas Business Journal, Jackson Walker partner Joel Heydenburk provided insight about the Fort Worth commercial real estate market as the city continues to grow.
Mentions • August 31, 2022
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 18, 2022
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 57 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2021
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
Attorney News • September 22, 2021
Jackson Walker Congratulates the Fort Worth Attorneys Named to the “Top Attorneys 2021” List in ‘360 West Magazine’
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 15 Fort Worth-based attorneys to 360 West Magazineâs âTop Attorneysâ list for 2021. To be selected for inclusion, attorneys with an active license and who practice within the Tarrant County area can nominate up to three attorneys in 44 specialty areas who reflect relevant practice areas in the region.
Attorney News • August 25, 2021
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 178 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2022 Edition, Including 8 “Lawyers of the Year” and 31 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 178 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 67 specialty practice areas in its 2022 edition, including 8 Lawyers of the Year and 31 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
Attorney News • August 19, 2021
âFort Worth Magazineâ Lists Nine Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the âTop Attorneysâ of 2020
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of nine Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazineâs âTop Attorneysâ list for 2020. The full list will be released in the magazineâs December 2020 issue.
Attorney News • November 25, 2020
âThe Best Lawyers in Americaâ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 âLawyers of the Yearâ and 25 “Ones to Watch”
Jackson Walker congratulates the 164 attorneys who were selected by their peers as Best Lawyers, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 25 Ones to Watch, across 6 offices and 66 specialty practice areas.
Attorney News • August 20, 2020
Practice Experience
- Represents the board of a public transit agency for a large urban county in board governance matters, public meetings, transactional projects, and litigation.
- Represented a large nonprofit health system in connection with the acquisition of 77,000 + square foot medical office building and ground lease interest in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Represented a large nonprofit health system in connection with various raw land transaction for future development in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.
- Represented seller in the disposition of an approximately 400,000 square foot three-building office complex in the Preston Center area of Dallas, Texas.
- Represented an institutional landlord in connection with a complex 100,000+ square foot lease of the US headquarters of an international financial services company in downtown Dallas, Texas.
- Represented an institutional landlord in connection with a complex 238,000+ square foot lease to a Fortune 50 international financial services company in downtown Dallas, Texas.
- Represented the tenant in a complex 230,000+ square foot lease renewal of the corporate headquarters for a financial services company in downtown Fort Worth, Texas.
- Represented a large nonprofit hospital and health system in connection with multiple leasing and real estate development transactions throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
- Represented the seller in the disposition of a 33 acre multi-building “to-the-trade” commercial development in Dallas, Texas; which was an award winning transaction
- Represented an institutional landlord in connection with a complex 250,000 square foot lease renewal of the corporate headquarters of a large hospital operator in Dallas, Texas; which was an award winning transaction
- Assisted in the representation of an industrial manufacturer in the sale of such business’ assets and related real estate transactions in connection therewith
- Assisted in the representation of a large commercial mortgage servicer in connection with various owned commercial real estate assets including a retail mall, retail pad sites, and retail strip centers at locations throughout Texas
- Assisted in the representation of commercial landlords and managers in connection with various telecommunications transactions
- Assisted in the representation of purchaser in the acquisition of a 20-story Class A office building in Atlanta, Georgia
- Assisted in the representation of seller in the sale of a multi-building office complex in Las Colinas/Irving, Texas
- Assisted in the representation of the owner of industrial warehouse facility in connection with various leasing transactions in Fort Worth, Texas
- Assisted in the representation of large landlord in connection with various lease transactions ranging from 1,000 square feet to 250,000 square feet at various office buildings throughout the southern United States
- Assisted in the representation of purchaser in the acquisition of a 20-story Class A office building in Fort Worth, Texas
- Assisted in the representation of seller in the sale of a large commercial farm portfolio located in multiple states throughout the western United States
- Assisted in the representation of banks and bond holders in connection with complex foreclosures throughout North Texas
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2021-2026
- Land Use and Zoning Law, 2023
- Real Estate Law, 2021-2026
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2020-2025
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers â Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2008-2018
- “Top Attorneys” List â Real Estate, Fort Worth Magazine, 2006-2020, 2022-2024
- “Top Attorneys” List â Real Estate, 360 West, 2018, 2021, 2025
- “40 Under 40” List, Fort Worth Business Press, 2011
Community Involvement
Professional Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth, Past Chairman, Founding/Sustaining Member, Board Member, Past Vice-Chair
- Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Board Member and Executive Committee
- Tarrant County Bar Association â Real Estate Section
- Fort Worth-Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, Past President
- Eldon B. Mahon Inn of Court, Past Associate Member
- Leadership Fort Worth, Class of 2009-2010
Community Involvement
- Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth, Board of Trustees, 2017-2018 President, 2019-2020 Past-President
- Junior Achievement of Chisholm Trail, Inc., Volunteer Teacher
- The Texas Lyceum, 2018 Director, Executive Committee
- BNSF Next Generation Leadership Program at Texas Christian Universityâs Neeley School of Business, Business Coach
- Fort Worth Independent School Districtâs 2010 Census and Nine Single-Member Districts Redistricting Committee