Katherine Odom Sermas

Katy essentially grew up around law, as both of her parents are recognized as well-regarded attorneys in the Houston market. “My mother spent forty years as an in-house real estate attorney for a large retail developer. Growing up watching her practice always fascinated me and definitely influenced me to become an attorney, specifically practicing real estate law. The real estate business has always been a part of my life.”

Although her practice encompasses all aspects of commercial real estate transactions, Katy has built a reputation for being especially adept in the areas of retail leasing and acquisitions/dispositions. She understands that the real estate business requires more than just the issue-spotting techniques that are taught in law school. Katy sees herself as a professional problem-solver and advisor, helping clients achieve their business goals by providing sound, practical legal counseling.

Katy’s experience in the real estate business and her devotion to her clients has helped her develop a unique understanding of a lawyer’s role in a real estate transaction. “Real estate deals are constantly evolving. You have to be practical, but at the same time, prepared for the unknown. I am always working to help my clients maintain flexibility in their transactions, so they have room to adapt to new information and changes in the market.”

Working side-by-side with real estate law specialists at Wilson Cribbs + Goren since the beginning of her career, Katy’s experience in managing a wide variety of real estate transactions has benefited her clients not only in the quality of her work product, but also in efficiency, cost control, and client responsiveness.

Katy received her BA from the University of Texas in 2011, Phi Beta Kappa, and obtained her JD in 2014 from the University of Houston Law Center. She is a member of the Houston Bar Association’s Real Estate Section, is a Young Leader with the Urban Land Institute and belongs to the Houston Commercial Real Estate Millennial Misses (CREMM).

Katy’s work is much more to her than just the written contracts. She sees the fruits of her labor first-hand. “Working in real estate, I get to see, and often visit and enjoy, the tangible product of the transactions I work on. Having grown up in Houston, it’s rewarding to work on projects that continue to transform and change the city I call home.”