Whether you are closing on a commercial building, fighting a title dispute, or untangling an easement, the right Plano real estate lawyer protects the money on the table and keeps the deal from going sideways. Here are the firms and attorneys who appear across the major directories for Plano, what they charge, and how to choose.
Updated July 20, 202511 min readEditorially independent
Real estate is where some of the largest dollar figures most businesses and families ever sign land on a single page, and small drafting mistakes get expensive fast. In Plano and across Collin County, real estate lawyers handle two broad jobs: transactional work — purchase agreements, commercial leases, financing, entity ownership, and closings — and disputes, including title problems, boundary and easement fights, construction defects, eminent domain, and breach of a real estate contract. Texas is unusual in that title companies handle many residential closings, so the question for a buyer or owner is often whether your deal is complex enough to warrant a lawyer. For commercial deals, development, and any dispute, the answer is almost always yes.
The firms below each appear across at least two independent sources — Super Lawyers, Justia, Avvo, Best Lawyers, Expertise.com, or their own verified practice pages — and handle real estate for Plano-area buyers, sellers, investors, developers, and businesses. Several attorneys are board-certified in real estate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, which is a meaningful credential: it requires substantial experience in the field plus a passing exam, and relatively few Texas lawyers hold it.
For a business buyer or operator, the real questions are responsiveness, sector fit, and predictable cost. A lawyer who closes industrial and commercial deals all day will spot lease and financing landmines a generalist misses, and will move at the speed your transaction needs. Read each profile for what the firm actually focuses on — closings versus litigation, residential versus commercial — then call two or three and compare how they quote the work.
How we picked these 7: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Plano-area real estate practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Law Office of John S. Unell
Plano, TXBoard-certified (both RE areas)Super Lawyers
Practice focus: Residential and commercial real estate transactions and litigation, including title and contract disputes
John S. Unell is board-certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in both residential and commercial real estate law, a credential relatively few Texas attorneys hold. Based in Plano and serving clients across DFW, he carries an Avvo "Superb" rating and multiple years of Super Lawyers recognition, and handles both transactional real estate and real estate litigation.
Why they made the list: A dual board-certified real estate attorney with peer recognition, a strong default choice for either a complex transaction or a dispute.
Practice focus: Real estate transactions and litigation for agents, brokers, buyers, and sellers in the Plano metro
Founded in 1977, The Robinson Law Firm represents real estate agents, brokers, and their clients across the Plano metro, and attorney Mike Robinson is board-certified by the State of Texas in both commercial and residential real estate. The firm leans into litigation and dispute work alongside transactional support, drawing on decades in the local market.
Why they made the list: A long-established, board-certified firm that knows the brokerage side cold — useful for agents, sellers, and buyers in a contested deal.
Plano metroFounder Ronald L. HolmesCommercial focus
Practice focus: Commercial real estate transactions — acquisitions, leasing, development, construction, and finance
Holmes Firm PC handles a wide range of commercial real estate work in the Plano metro, from land acquisition and sales of income-producing property to construction disputes, land use, and the development and financing of industrial and distribution facilities. Founding attorney Ronald L. Holmes brings more than 30 years of legal experience, and the firm represents businesses, financial institutions, and family offices.
Why they made the list: A commercial-real-estate firm built for development, leasing, and finance deals — a fit for businesses and investors, not just homebuyers.
Serves Plano & North Dallas27+ years' experienceResidential & commercial
Practice focus: Residential and commercial real estate transactions and disputes for owners, developers, and investors
The Law Offices of Dan Chern, P.C. represents property owners, developers, and real estate investors across Plano and North Dallas in transactions and disputes of all sizes. With over two decades of experience, Dan Chern handles both residential and commercial real estate and serves clients throughout Collin and Denton counties and the Park Cities.
Why they made the list: A versatile owner- and investor-side practice spanning residential and commercial work, good when your matter does not fit neatly in one box.
Serves Plano areaBoutique, since 2014Commercial RE & disputes
Practice focus: Commercial real estate transactions and disputes — title, easements, eminent domain, and encroachments
Baker Moran is a boutique firm serving the Plano area since 2014, handling commercial real estate transactions plus negotiation, mediation, and litigation for property disputes including trespassing, eminent domain, easements, title problems, and encroachments. The smaller-firm structure suits clients who want senior attention on a focused real estate matter.
Why they made the list: A boutique focused on commercial deals and property disputes, a fit for clients who want hands-on senior involvement.
Serves Plano areaFounding partner Gregory CagleRE & community associations
Practice focus: Real estate litigation, construction defects, and residential and commercial community-association matters
Cagle Pugh, Ltd. LLP handles civil and complex litigation involving real estate, business disputes, construction defects, and residential and commercial community associations. Founding partner Gregory Cagle concentrates in these areas, making the firm a fit for HOA and condominium issues as well as broader real estate disputes in the Plano area.
Why they made the list: A litigation-oriented firm with deep community-association experience, the right call for HOA, condo, and construction-defect fights.
Plano, TXFull-service practiceTransactions & litigation
Practice focus: Residential and commercial real estate transactions and related civil litigation
Harris Law Firm, PLLC helps Plano-area clients understand and complete real estate transactions on both the buy and sell side, and handles property and real estate matters within a broader civil practice that also covers small business, wills, and estate planning. The firm is a fit for clients who want real estate help from a firm that can also handle adjacent personal and business legal needs.
Why they made the list: A full-service option for clients whose real estate matter overlaps with small-business, estate, or general civil issues.
Tell us about your property, deal, or dispute. We'll connect you with a Plano real estate lawyer for a focused review — free and no obligation.
How to choose between them in Plano
Match the lawyer to your deal type. A commercial acquisition, a residential closing dispute, and a construction-defect case call for different experience. Ask whether the firm leans transactional or litigation, and commercial or residential, and pick the one whose day-to-day work mirrors your matter.
Look for Texas board certification in real estate. The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in commercial and residential real estate law. It is not required to be good, but it is a clean signal of depth. Several Plano lawyers below hold it — ask, and verify on the State Bar site.
Get the fee structure pinned down up front. Transactional real estate work is often flat-fee or capped for a defined scope (a closing, a lease review), while disputes run hourly. Ask for the structure, the hourly rate if applicable, and a realistic estimate for your scope before you engage.
Ask who handles your file and how fast they turn documents. In a live transaction, a slow lawyer can kill a deal. Confirm who drafts and reviews, their typical turnaround, and how they coordinate with your title company, lender, and the other side's counsel.
What real estate help typically costs in Plano
For a business buyer, predictable cost matters as much as the rate. Here is how Plano real estate firms typically charge:
Initial consultation Many Plano real estate firms offer a free or low-cost first consultation to scope the matter. Use it to compare how each firm frames the work and quotes it.
Flat or capped fees for transactions Defined-scope work — reviewing a purchase contract, drafting or reviewing a commercial lease, handling a closing — is often billed flat or capped. Simple document reviews may run a few hundred dollars; a full commercial transaction is more.
Hourly rates for disputes and complex deals Litigation and complex negotiations are usually hourly. Plano and North Dallas real estate attorneys commonly bill in the range of about $250 to $500 per hour, with senior or board-certified lawyers at the higher end.
Retainers For litigation or ongoing transactional support, expect an upfront retainer the firm bills against. Ask how the retainer is set and what happens to any unused balance.
Costs and third-party fees Filing fees, title work, surveys, recording fees, and expert witnesses in disputes are billed separately from the attorney's time. Ask which costs to expect for your specific matter.
For a clean transaction, push for a flat or capped fee with a defined scope. For a dispute, get the hourly rate, the retainer, and an honest range in writing before you sign.
How long it takes
Timelines vary widely between a closing and a lawsuit, but here is the general shape in Plano:
Consultation and scope (days) A real estate lawyer can usually tell you quickly whether your matter is a quick document review or something larger, and quote the work.
Transactional work (days to weeks) Reviewing or drafting a contract or lease is often a matter of days. A full commercial closing runs from a couple of weeks to a couple of months depending on financing, due diligence, and the other side.
Pre-suit dispute resolution (weeks to months) Many title, boundary, and contract disputes settle through demand letters and negotiation before anyone files. This stage can run weeks to a few months.
Litigation (months to over a year) If a dispute goes to court, expect discovery, motions, and possible mediation over many months. Most real estate cases still settle before trial, but complex commercial disputes can run past a year.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a real estate lawyer in Plano
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many real estate matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Plano consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most real estate matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Real Estate attorney in Plano
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about real estate lawyers in Plano
Do I even need a lawyer to buy property in Texas?
For a standard residential purchase, a title company handles much of the closing, so many buyers do not hire their own lawyer. But if the deal is commercial, involves an entity or financing, has title or survey problems, or is a for-sale-by-owner with no agent, a real estate lawyer protects you. When the dollars or the complexity rise, so does the value of having your own counsel.
What does a real estate lawyer actually do on a transaction?
They draft or review the purchase agreement or lease, flag risky terms, structure ownership (often through an LLC), coordinate with the title company and lender, handle due diligence, and make sure the closing documents say what you think they say. On the commercial side they negotiate the deal points, not just paper the result.
How much will it cost in Plano?
Defined transactional work is often flat or capped — a few hundred dollars for a simple contract review, more for a full commercial deal. Disputes and litigation are usually hourly, commonly about $250 to $500 per hour in the Plano and North Dallas market, with board-certified attorneys at the higher end. Always ask for the structure and an estimate up front.
What is Texas board certification in real estate, and does it matter?
The Texas Board of Legal Specialization certifies attorneys in residential and commercial real estate law after they show substantial experience and pass an exam. It is not required, but it is a reliable signal that the lawyer concentrates in real estate. Several Plano attorneys below hold it; you can verify any certification on the State Bar of Texas website.
Can a real estate lawyer help with a title or boundary dispute?
Yes. Title defects, boundary and easement disputes, encroachments, and access problems are core real estate litigation work. A lawyer can review the title commitment and survey, send demand letters, and file suit to quiet title or enforce your rights if negotiation fails.
What should I bring to the first meeting?
Bring the contract or lease, the title commitment and survey if you have them, any correspondence with the other side, your loan documents, and a short written summary of what you want to happen. The more organized you are, the faster and cheaper the lawyer can work.
How long does a commercial closing take?
It depends on financing and due diligence, but a commercial transaction commonly runs from a couple of weeks to a couple of months from contract to close. Your lawyer's turnaround on documents is one of the biggest variables, which is why responsiveness matters.
How do I choose between two Plano real estate firms?
Ask each whether they lean transactional or litigation and commercial or residential, whether anyone is board-certified, how they charge for your specific scope, who will handle the file, and their typical document turnaround. Then pick the firm whose focus and pace match your deal.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
Helpful next steps
If this guide was useful, here is where most readers go next.