Biography
Patrick T. Sharkey has over 42 years of experience as a commercial real estate attorney representing sophisticated clients in a diverse and dynamic blend of real estate transactions. Client engagements include the representation of landlords and tenants in office, industrial, retail, healthcare, and submerged land (Houston Ship Channel) leasing. His experience also encompasses specialty leases, including data center leases, hospital leases, and ground leases for medical office buildings. In addition, Patrick has extensive experience in acquisitions and dispositions of office buildings, industrial properties, healthcare properties and undeveloped land, condominiums, and development of healthcare campuses. His practice also includes representing clients in intricate land transactions, land donation in lieu of condemnation, and property tax appeals.
Pat’s 40 years of experience in commercial real estate law enables him to provide his clients with creative, expedited service and results-oriented legal representation in all phases of commercial real estate.
Education
B.A., Columbia University
J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas, 1976
Board Certifications
Commercial Real Estate Law
Leasing
- Office Leases
- Industrial Leases
- Data Center Leases
- Hospital Leases
- Ground Leases
- Submerged Land Leases
- Houston Ship Channel Leasing
Acquisitions/Dispositions
- Office Buildings
- Industrial Properties
- Apartments
- Undeveloped Land
- Easements
- Power Plants
- Houston Ship Channel Land (including submerged land)
- Fast Food Restaurants
- Condemnation / Land Donation
- Automobile Dealership Properties
Real Estate Financing
- Acquisition/Construction Loans
- Modifications/Workouts/Foreclosures
- Defeasance/Special Servicers’ Consent
- Texas Counsel Opinion Letters
Condominiums
- Creation of Condo Regime
- Conversion to/from Condo Regime
- Condominium Development Financing
- Decondominiumization
Brokerage/Management
- Commission Agreements
- Management Agreements
- Listing Agreements
Franchise Restaurants
- Development Agreements
- Franchise Agreements
- Sale of Franchise Restaurants
Among numerous closings on land, leases, office buildings, healthcare properties, and condominium transactions, several recent transactions epitomize Pat’s dedication to attaining his clients’ business objectives:
- Represented NRG Energy, Inc. in the sublease of over 431,000 square feet of office space at 910 Louisiana tower in downtown Houston, Texas. The transaction included four buildings and seven interrelated agreements and is one of the largest subleases in the history of Houston.
- Represented major electric power company, as tenant, in successful negotiation of 10,000 square foot data center lease in west Houston. The lease involved landlord’s construction of a new data center facility, which necessitated the overlay of build to suit concepts with the technical service level provisions unique to data center leases.
- Represented developer in the successful purchase of an office building in Houston. The unique feature of this transaction was the building’s primary tenant is an acute care hospital. Thus, the client’s services included unique healthcare oriented services for the hospital tenant.
- Represented healthcare client in its successful sale of land for the development of a healthcare campus in San Antonio. Having represented the client in numerous sales and Ground Leases for the development of healthcare campuses in Texas, this transaction was the culmination of the client’s strategic plan for this healthcare property.
Whether the client’s project involves purchasing, selling, leasing, restructuring, or developing commercial real estate, Pat is committed to attaining the client’s objectives and adding value to the client’s business.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Real Estate Law, 2020-2022
- Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2021
- Excellence in Writing Award – Best Overall Article, Probate & Property, 2000
Publications
- Co-author, Texas Forms – Real Estate 2012, Commercial and Residential, and Texas Forms – Real Estate, Commercial and Residential (updated 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017) (O’Connor’s Publishing)
Speeches
- “ADR and Real Estate,” Houston Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Section CLE Program (February 14, 2017)
- “2016 Fundamentals of Commercial Real Estate: Leasing,” (April 27, 2016) (encore of May 2, 2014, presentation at ABA’s RPTE Spring Symposium)
- Panelist, “Dealing with Dirt Lawyers: ADR Tips for Handling Real Estate Disputes,” Houston Bar Association’s Alternative Dispute Resolution CLE Program (October 8, 2013)
- Panelist, “Looking Down the Road: Estoppels, SNDAs and Other Lease Provisions that Can Make or Break a Sale,” ABA Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Spring Symposium (May 2008) and contributing author for Probate & Property (September/October 2008)
- “Ten Key Issues Concerning Condominium Conversions,” South Texas College of Law’s Real Estate Law Conference (June 9, 2005)
- “How Alligators Hidden in Leases Can Eat a Client’s Bottom Line – Damage and Destruction Provisions,” “More Alligators Hidden in Leases – Maintenance, Alterations and Compliance With Laws,” and “Still More Alligators Hidden in Leases – Operating Expenses Increases,” Probate & Property (March/April 2000)
- “Build Out Issues in Office and Retail Leases,” Probate & Property (May/June 2000)
- American Bar Association Real Property Spring Symposia
- Houston Bar Association’s Real Estate Law Luncheons
- South Texas College of Law’s Real Estate Law Conference
- University of Houston Law Foundation Course on Real Estate Documents, Workouts and Closings
- Southern Methodist University Course on Mortgages
- State Bar of Texas – Real Estate Section
- American Bar Association – Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
- Co-Chair, Corporate Sponsorship Committee, 2014-2017
- Chair, Leasing Group, 2011-2013
- Vice Chair, Leasing Group, 2009-2011
- Chair of Office Leasing Committee, 2006-2009
- Houston Bar Association
- President, Real Estate Law Section, 1988-1989
- Treasurer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section, 2014-2016
- American Arbitration Association, Commercial Arbitrator