Derek Pershing

Derek received three board certifications from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in: Commercial Real Estate Law, Residential Real Estate Law, and Farm and Ranch Real Estate Law. He is one of less than fifty attorneys currently practicing law in Texas holding all three designations. In addition to his law practice, he is an Adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law Houston where he teaches a Real Estate Transactional Skills Course.

Derek primarily assists clients with transactional matters covering the acquisition, development, leasing, and disposition of all types and classes of property.

Derek understands the costs associated with attorneys and he adds value for his clients in many ways— he counsels his clients on how to avoid unanticipated expenses, receive better returns on their investment, and identify and quantify the risks in their transactions. He sees himself as a member of his client’s team, saving time and money in a negotiation, evaluating and communicating the risks, and strengthening the client’s leverage and bargaining position.

Derek obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance, summa cum laude, and a Master of Business Administration in finance from the University of St. Thomas in 2010, which awarded him both degrees in three years under what is usually a five-year program. After business school, Derek performed commercial real estate appraisals before going on to earn his Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude, from the South Texas College of Law Houston, which also awarded him a Transactional Law Practice Certificate in real estate.

Derek was a highly decorated Combat Medic in the U.S. Army from 2002-2006, where he attended Army Airborne School, Army Air Assault School, obtained a Private Pilot License via the FAA, and was deployed to Afghanistan for over a year to provide emergency care to fellow soldiers, Afghan children, and Afghan elders.

Derek says the key to properly representing a client is being able to provide clear communication under pressure. “I want our clients to understand my role — where I can bring value and where I cannot. I strive to make sure our clients have as much information as necessary to make informed decisions.”