Karen Cox is a seasoned real estate attorney who focuses her practice on leasing, development and construction.

She advises retailers, restaurants, government entities, owners and operators of commercial and multi-family properties and contractors, on a variety of developments from office buildings and free-standing restaurant buildings to mixed use residential, retail and office projects. Because Karen represents developers and contractors, landlords and tenants, and buyers and sellers, she is familiar with the arguments that come into play from different sides in real estate matters, making her very effective in achieving favorable outcomes for her clients.

Karen simultaneously handles negotiations of multiple leasing transactions with national tenants in connection with commercial, retail, mixed use, and condominium development, construction, and financing transactions, as well as in complex multi-party operating, development, and easement agreements. In addition, she advises owners and contractors in the preparation and negotiation of all facets of construction contracts and related agreements with architects, engineers and other professionals. Using concise language, Karen always emphasizes clarity when outlining business arrangements creating a precise, solid document to address any future situations or disputes that may arise.

Karen was formerly in-house counsel to a Dallas-based owner, operator, and manager of nationwide retail, office, and industrial properties and currently co-chairs the firm’s Construction Practice Group. This experience in the business world enhances her ability to serve clients.

With in-depth knowledge and many years of practicing in the leasing arena, Karen can adeptly guide clients and impart valuable knowledge, such as the state of the current market and what constitutes a reasonable provision in specific circumstances.  She takes care to minimize potential risk and exposure for clients and help them complete essential due diligence while leading them on pathways to commercial success and expansion.

Karen also previously served as Firm Managing Director and Chair of the Board.

Away from the Office

A “weekend warrior,” Karen and her husband enjoy long-distance road bicycling and frequently take part in charity rides. They travel to participate in activities such as snow skiing, hiking and scuba diving and also make it a priority to spend time with their grown daughter and other family and friends.

Practice Areas

• Construction
• Real Estate
• Retail, Restaurant & Hospitality

Testimonials

REI has engaged Karen Cox to do many of our lease negotiations and she truly is the ‘best of the best.’ She is professional, thorough and provides excellent representation. We are so fortunate to be working with Karen!

With Karen Cox we receive high quality legal representation from a skilled, experienced and savvy practitioner. Her depth of knowledge in multiple phases of the real estate industry is top notch, as is her thoroughness, timeliness and ability to follow through. We rely on Karen to provide sage advice to avoid common and uncommon pitfalls, while bringing deals to a timely and satisfactory close.

Karen is our go to counsel for the more difficult and challenging issues in our Texas property portfolio. We very much value of her understanding of the documents and creative solutions in successfully completing the transactions. We consider her a most valued resource and member of our team.

Karen is so thorough and extremely competent with her attention to details and to the components and complexities of our projects documentation. We rely on her and her excellent staff to keep us in compliance with all the nuances relative to the national merchants lease covenants and restrictions and ECRs, OEAs, or REAs associated with them! Trezevant Realty would not be as effective without her guidance and expertise!

Credentials

Bar Admissions

• State Bar of Texas (1983)

Education

• University of Texas School of Law, J.D., 1983
  • Selected as a Teaching Quizmaster as a third-year law student to instruct first-year law students in legal research, writing and appellate advocacy
  • Phi Delta Phi
• University of Nebraska, B.A., 1980

Honors

• Best Lawyers in America©, U.S. News & World Report (2022, 2023)
• Top 50 Women Lawyers, 2019, National Diversity Council

Associations

• Dallas Bar Association
• American Bar Association

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