Biography

Scott Smith counsels local, regional, and international developers, investment managers and utility providers across a diverse range of real estate transactions. His practice covers the acquisition, disposition, and leasing of data centers and industrial projects, substations and other power-generation or transmission sites. Scott is recognized for his ability to lead complex, high-value real estate transactions that require the coordination of multi-disciplinary teams.

Scott has developed a robust data center practice, advising clients on all aspects of data center development, investment, and operation. He represents developers, operators, and investors in the development, leasing, acquisition, and disposition of data center sites across the United States, guiding clients through the unique challenges of site selection, land use, and regulatory compliance. Scott is experienced in negotiating complex utility agreements, including power purchase and interconnection agreements, facilities extension agreements, and incentive agreements, as well as addressing environmental and permitting issues critical to data center operations. He also counsels clients on the formation of joint ventures and strategic partnerships tailored to the data center sector.

Data Centers Practice Experience

• Counsel to data center developer and operator in connection with the acquisition and development of raw land for data center facilities across Texas (including in Dallas, Round Rock, and San Angelo) and the United States.
• Counsel to an institutional equity partner in connection with the acquisition of operating data centers throughout the United States (including in Los Angeles and Phoenix).
• Counsel to a leading real estate investor in the assemblage and redevelopment of 5,400+ acres in two Texas counties, orchestrating a multi-phased strategy for data center, industrial, and residential uses.
• Counsel to an institutional equity partner in the acquisition of raw land for the development of industrial assets nationwide, including multi-phased logistics parks and build-to-suit facilities for national tenants.
• Counsel to investor-owned and cooperative utility providers in the acquisition of raw land for substations, battery storage sites, and other power-infrastructure uses, and in negotiating and recording long-term utility easements, access rights, and related encumbrances with private, institutional, and governmental landowners nationwide.
• Counsel to a regional real estate developer in the planning, entitlement, and development of a 100+ acre mixed-use project near Houston, encompassing shopping centers, hospitality, multi-family, and integrated public spaces.
• Counsel to a national beverage distributor with over $1 billion in revenues in connection with site selection for warehouse and distribution centers, as well as ongoing leasing and other real estate general counsel needs.
• Counsel to a national healthcare investment fund in the structuring and consummation of complex real estate transactions involving the acquisition of raw land for the development of hospitals and senior living facilities.

Education

B.A., cum laude, Baylor University

J.D., from Baylor University School of Law

• Dean’s List

Bar Admissions

Texas