Biography
Pat served over 48 years as counsel to commercial real estate clients involving office, industrial, retail, healthcare, and condominium developments, leasing, purchases and sales. His practice also included representing clients in intricate land transactions, land donation in lieu of condemnation, and property tax appeals. In 1988, he served as President of the Houston Bar Association Real Estate Law Section. For over 30 years, he was actively involved in the American Bar Association Real Property, Trust & Estate Law Section (“RPTE”), serving as Chairman of the Leasing Group, Chairman of RPTE’s Corporate Sponsorship Committee, a member of the Committee on Groups and Substantive Committees, and a real estate representative on RPTE’s Council.
Jackson Walker features profiles of its Retired Partners in recognition of their long and accomplished service to the firm, our clients, and our communities. Our Retired Partners are no longer practicing law. If you are interested in consulting with a Jackson Walker lawyer in the practice area where Pat worked, please email us here. We will connect you with someone who can be most helpful for your inquiry, or pass along a personal message to our Retired Partner.
Education
B.A., Columbia University
J.D., Case Western Reserve University School of Law
Bar Admissions
Texas
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.
- Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, 1983-Present
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2020-2023
- Lawyer of the Year – Houston, Real Estate Law, 2023
- Real Estate Law, 2020-2023
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2003-2022
- 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
September 21, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson 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.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘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.
September 22, 2021
Attorney NewsJackson 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.
August 19, 2021
Attorney News‘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.
October 19, 2020
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 54 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2020
Spanning five offices, 19 practice areas, and experience ranging from 12 to 52 years, Jackson Walker’s 2020 “Texas Super Lawyers” have been nominated by peers within and outside the Firm.
August 20, 2020
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 164 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2021 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” 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.
December 23, 2019
Attorney NewsPat Sharkey Selected to the 2019 Irish Legal 100
Founded by the New York newspaper Irish Voice in 2008, the Irish Legal 100 is an annual compilation of the most distinguished legal professionals in the United States who are bonded by their Irish roots.
September 4, 2019
Attorney News52 Jackson Walker Attorneys Named to 2019 ‘Texas Super Lawyers’ List by Thomson Reuters
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.
August 14, 2019
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 109 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2020 Edition, With Eight Named “Lawyers of the Year”
Jackson Walker congratulates our 109 attorneys named to U.S. News & World Report’s Best Lawyers in America 2020 list, including eight attorneys who were named “Lawyers of the Year.”
September 18, 2018
InsightsA Short Course on Online Notarization
Effective August 19, 2018, notary publics in Texas now have the ability to legally provide their notarization services online.