Board-certified in commercial real estate by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, Richard DeBerry brings 30 years of experience in real estate, construction, eminent domain, and condemnation law to his clients. He handles both the transactional and litigation sides of these practice areas. Real estate and development deals and construction agreements can be complex and involve many stakeholders, often initially clouding the client’s ability to see the path to their preferred outcome. Richard enjoys deciphering the complicated issues and cutting through the fog while pursuing his client’s best interests. A well-honed attention to detail helps him provide thoughtful counsel on the important strategic decisions in real estate and construction transactions and related litigation.
Born in Austin and raised in Dallas, Richard likes to say that he got to Fort Worth as quickly as he could. With a number of varied interests, Richard enjoys traveling to and exploring new cities, sampling new cuisine, and visiting museums and historical architecture. He also likes making “damn good” Old Fashioneds, cooking, golf, water and snow skiing, fast and classic cars, classic movies, pints with buddies, yoga, Texas and TCU sports, and and enjoys making killer flower arrangements. If he’s not doing any of that, you may find him walking along the river to Press Café or exploring Possum Kingdom Lake with his wife, Kelly, and soaking up the sun.
Practice Areas
Education
- Juris Doctor – University of Tulsa, 1992
- National Mock Trial Team
- Notes and Comments Editor, Tulsa Law Journal
- Bachelor of Arts, English – University of Texas at Austin, 1989
Bar & Court Admissions & Certifications
- State Bar of Texas, 1992
- Board Certified in Commercial Real Estate, Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- United States Supreme Court, 2000
- United States Court of Appeals, 1999
- Northern and Western Federal District Courts, 1992
Awards & Recognition
- Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters: 2007-2022
- Texas Super Lawyers, Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters: 2004-2006
- Top Attorneys >5 Years of Practice by Fort Worth, Texas Magazine: 2014 (Construction); 2016-2021 (Civil Law, Litigation); 2022 (Construction)
- Top Attorneys by 360 West Magazine: 2017 (Construction; Eminent Domain), 2019 (Construction; Eminent Domain); 2022 (Construction)
Professional Affiliations & Organizations
- State Bar of Texas, Construction Law Section, Member
- State Bar of Texas, Litigation Section, Member
- Tarrant County Bar Association, Member
- Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association, Ex-Member
- President, 1997-1998
- Vice President, 1996-1997
- Secretary, 1996
- Director, 1994-1995
- Texas Bar Foundation
- Tarrant County Bar Foundation
Volunteerism & Community
- First United Methodist Church Foundation, Fort Worth, Vice President
- Helen D. and R.E. (Bob) Wallace Foundation Fund, Board Member
Presentations
- Richard has presented multiple times on several pertinent and significant eminent domain and construction law issues.
V-card
rcd@mcdonaldlaw.com
817.347.3656Representative Experience & Services
Richard has significant experience representing owners in public, commercial, industrial, farm and ranch, and residential real estate and construction matters and disputes. He has also handled virtually every category of pipeline, electric or water utility, highway, and bridge or other infrastructure eminent domain/condemnation case. Such services have included:
- Working on transactions (sale, purchase, or lease) and litigation involving office buildings, apartment and condo projects, shopping centers, office warehouses, restaurants, medical facilities, farms and ranches, and high value residences
- Negotiating or litigating compensation owed for projects involving pipelines, electric transmission lines, county roads and state highways, toll roads, railroads, airports, public schools, county and municipal buildings, water districts, and drainage facilities
- Litigating construction defect and construction breach of contract cases for commercial buildings and high value homes whether through the courts or through arbitration with the American Arbitration Association
- Acquiring or selling real property, easements and right-of-way for private development, independent school districts, railroads and municipalities
- Partitioning/dividing land owned by multiple persons or parties who do not agree on its best use or who do not wish to own and utilize it together
- Drafting and editing construction contracts and architect and engineer agreements
- Dealing with general contractor, architect, engineer, and surety issues
- Providing counsel on best practices for larger projects and multiple facility construction programs
- Handling property tax cases involving commercial properties and high value residential property
- Working on federal regulatory and preemption issues involving railroad operations
Richard also practices general commercial litigation involving contract or insurance coverage disputes.