James R. Haecker is the founder and principal attorney of Haecker LLP, a Texas-based law firm dedicated to providing sophisticated real estate legal services across Texas and nationwide. With a proven track record, Mr. Haecker surgically guides clients through intricate real estate challenges, including acquisitions, dispositions, financing, leasing, and associated legal complexities. His strategic counsel empowers clients to achieve optimal outcomes in high-stakes environments, while leveraging deep industry knowledge to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities.

Mr. Haecker's distinguished career is built on a multifaceted foundation of legal and business acumen, honed through pivotal roles at leading institutions. At just 18, he earned his real estate salesperson license from the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and maintained an active brokerage practice—closing commercial and residential transactions—learning the real estate business from the best in the arena, including several top producers at the largest real estate brokerage franchise in the world, as well as a consistently ranked top-25 Austin Business Journal real estate brokerage company, all while pursuing advanced studies. He graduated with honors in the top 10% of his class from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business, a globally recognized leader in real estate finance, where he served as Vice President of the Undergraduate Real Estate Society. (Notably, the society's then-president now co-manages a multi-billion-dollar multifamily development company, a key client of Haecker LLP.) Following graduation, Mr. Haecker gained invaluable business insights at a prominent Austin-based private equity firm specializing in retail property acquisition, development, leasing, and sales—experience that continues to deliver tangible value to clients seeking integrated legal and commercial strategies.

During his time at The University of Texas School of Law—where he presided as President of the Real Estate Law Society and served as a staff editor for the Texas Journal of Oil & Gas Law (TJOGEL)—Mr. Haecker founded a successful real estate brokerage, expanding his hands-on expertise in sales and leasing statewide. He also clerked at several prestigious law firms ranked Band 1 in the nation for real estate law by Chambers and Partners, including Vinson & Elkins LLP's Houston headquarters, Locke Lord LLP (now Troutman Pepper Locke), and Winstead PC in Houston. Graduating from The University of Texas School of Law, again with honors in the top 10% of his class, Mr. Haecker seamlessly transitioned into high-impact roles, such as Senior Associate Attorney at Husch Blackwell's Austin office, where he led teams and collaborated with municipal governments on ordinance and resolution drafting; Real Estate Development & Investments attorney at Winstead PC in Austin; and leadership positions at Locke Lord LLP's Houston home office. These experiences equipped him with mastery over complex issues in real estate development, investments, finance, leasing, lending, liens, security interests, land use, and acquisitions/sales.

A recognized thought leader, Mr. Haecker has served as an adjunct professor teaching Real Estate Transactions, Mathematics, and Real Estate Finance, and as a guest speaker on topics ranging from Realtor® Code of Ethics issues to leadership principles. He continues to serve as the supervising broker for his real estate brokerage. He has also provided expert witness testimony in Texas district court, analyzing standards under the Texas Property Code, Texas Real Estate License Act, and National Association of Realtors® Code of Ethics—demonstrating his authoritative command of the field.

Having closed thousands of real estate transactions, Mr. Haecker has routinely represented financial institutions, landlords, private equity firms, owners, developers, businesses, and individuals in multifaceted legal matters. His dedication to excellence is underscored by State Bar of Texas recognitions, including as a Champions of Justice Advocate and through the Pro Bono Texas Campaign, reflecting his commitment to accessible justice. Mr. Haecker is an active member of key professional organizations, including the State Bar of Texas sections for Real Estate & Probate, Construction, Oil & Gas & Energy, and Civil Litigation (Sustaining). He maintains affiliations with the National Association of Realtors, Texas Association of Realtors, Austin and San Antonio Boards of Realtors, National Hispanic Institute, McCombs Alumni Network, Alpha Kappa Psi Iota Exes, and Texas Law Alumni Association, and is a former Associate Member of the American Institute of Architects and former Events and Communications Committee member of the Real Estate Council of Austin. He has volunteered his time and counsel to those in need by serving with the Houston Volunteer Legal Services program and the Central Texas Volunteer Legal Services organization. Further exemplifying his pursuit of justice for firm clients, Mr. Haecker is a member of the Texas Bar College—a prestigious society of legal scholars affiliated with the State Bar of Texas that honors attorneys who surpass continuing legal education requirements and ethical standards.

At Haecker LLP, clients benefit from this unparalleled blend of expertise, integrity, and fortitude, ensuring robust representation tailored to their unique needs.

Selected Representative Matters

Mr. Haecker's experience includes a broad range of real estate transactions and disputes, such as:

• Acquisitions, Dispositions, and Developments: Represented public and private single-family residential developers in acquisitions and developments across Texas, including purchase and sale agreements, joint ventures, and build-to-rent projects in locations such as Conroe, San Antonio, and McKinney. Handled portfolio acquisitions for real estate investment trusts, including 14 assets from a publicly traded REIT and multi-tenant industrial buildings in various states. Advised on multifamily, office, retail, and industrial developments in cities like Houston, Austin, Phoenix, and Atlanta.

• Real Estate Finance: Served as counsel for administrative agents and lenders in financings for mixed-use, multifamily, hotel, office, and industrial projects nationwide, including a five-phase mixed-use development in Houston and refinancings in New York and California. Represented borrowers in developments such as multifamily projects in Houston and office buildings in Austin.

• Landlord and Tenant Representation: Advised landlords on leasing for industrial, office, and retail properties in Texas and Arizona over multiple years. Represented tenants, including manufacturers, distributors, oil and gas companies, and software developers, in leases for industrial, office, and retail spaces across states like Texas, North Carolina, and Florida.

• Other Matters: Facilitated sale-leaseback transactions for veterinary clinics and oil and gas assets; managed multifamily property leasing for private equity firms; handled share exchanges and reverse stock splits for public oil and gas companies; and represented entities in asset sales, terminal operations along the Houston Ship Channel, and subdivision developments in San Antonio.

• Real Estate

• Civil Litigation

• Real Estate Loan Workouts and Enforcement

• Land Use

• Real Estate Lending

• Real Estate Purchases and Dispositions

• Real Estate Leasing

Real Estate

• J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, with Honors

• B.B.A., The University of Texas at Austin, Red McCombs School of Business, with Honors

  Mr. Haecker holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Real Estate Finance, with honors from The University of Texas at Austin, Red McCombs School of Business, graduating in the top 10% of his class.

  Mr. Haecker also holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.), with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law, graduating in the top 10% of his class.

  At the McCombs School of Business, Mr. Haecker presided as Vice President of the Undergraduate Real Estate Society.

  During law school, Mr. Haecker served as President of the Real Estate Law Society and also served as a Staff Editor with the Texas Journal of Oil, Gas, and Energy Law.

Texas

Beyond his legal practice, Mr. Haecker serves as Adjunct Professor at Austin Community College (2023–present), teaching real estate law, mathematics, contracts, and finance, with a focus on delivering engaging, up-to-date curricula.

He is an active member of the State Bar of Texas, the Real Estate & Probate, Construction, and the Oil & Gas and Energy Law Sections of the Texas State Bar, as well as the Civil Litigation Section (Sustaining) of the Texas State Bar, reflecting his commitment to community support, ethical service, and professional integrity.

• Panel Presenter, “The Impact of the NAR Settlement on the Real Estate Industry for Realtors,” Austin Community College

• Panel Presenter, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Festival, Austin, Texas

• Adjunct Professor, Austin Community College - Courses taught: Real Estate Law, Real Estate Finance, and Transactions

• Served as speaker and head coach for the National Hispanic Institute's (NHI) prestigious leadership and debate programs, including the Collegiate World Series, LDZ, and Great Debate (2x head coach, leading multiple Austin-based teams to mock trial, oratory competition, and cross-examination competition), held nationwide to develop exceptional young leaders.