Practice Areas

At Brown & Hofmeister, we know municipal law, and the trust placed in us by dozens of municipal clients in North Texas is based on our past and continuing performance.  We understand the challenges city officials face in navigating the complex world of municipal operations and we are here to help. Our Texas municipal lawyers, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, are nationally recognized and understand the critical, ever-evolving legal issues that cities face on a daily basis.  We find great value and have proven success in supporting our city clients as they address routine tasks and uncommon challenges. At Brown & Hofmeister, we understand that our reputation stands – not rests – on delivering prompt, resourceful, and innovative solutions to issues that are unique to the government arena.

Attorneys at Brown & Hofmeister regularly offer guidance on any issue that a city might encounter, such as:

• Law Enforcement
• Code Enforcement
• Open Meetings
• Public Information Act
• Environmental Law
• Ethics
• Elections
• Police and Fire Department Matters
• Emergency Services Districts
• Condemnation Proceedings
• City Human Resource Training
• Bidding and Procurement
• Contracts and Agreements
• Ordinances and Resolutions
• Municipal Court Prosecution

At Brown & Hofmeister, we recognize that economic development is a growing, living part of any vibrant city.  In this economic climate, every city is reaching out to identify new, different, and better ways to achieve growth and success.  As certain economic development tools fall in and out of favor over time, we provide extensive experience and legal knowledge in helping you achieve your changing goals.

Our attorneys represent many Type-A and Type-B economic development corporations in various parts of Texas.  We work with our clients to use the right combination of tools to optimize growth and spur development for creating jobs and enhancing city revenue.  For instance, tax abatements may be right for some cities, while others may want to explore the use of tax increment financing (“TIF”) for funding the development or redevelopment of specific areas of the city, and others may find Public Improvement Districts are the right tool.  Moreover, with recent Legislative changes, some cities may find qualified hotel projects are right for them.

Because economic development is vital to any city, we devote much of our time and firm resources to your benefit.  A good example would be the economic development training sessions we participate in throughout the state discussing all of the major economic development tools available to a city, such as:

• Tax Abatements
• Tax Increment Financing
• Hotel/Motel Tax
• Chapter 380 Agreements
• Operation of Type A/B Corporations
• Public Improvement Districts
• Qualified Hotel Projects

Brown & Hofmeister is proud to be in a position of leadership relating to land use issues encountered by cities.  Whether the interests are routine or hotly contested, we offer our experience, wisdom and legal counsel to work toward optimal decisions for planning and the overall good of the city.

We offer a wealth of practical knowledge and advice to our clients throughout the state.  As a result, our attorneys are often invited to speak at seminars and have written scholarly articles demonstrating their mastery of the subjects, and frequently provide training to cities in North Texas on these topics.  Codes may change over time, and new rulings may provide new direction that everyone must consider in future land use planning or modifying existing codes. It is for this reason that our clients rely on us to provide them guidance that must be timely and accurate.

We routinely advise local governments on land use issues involving the following matters:

• Comprehensive Plans
• Residential Growth Management
• Development and Facilities Agreements
• Platting and Zoning
• Subdivision Regulation
• Annexation
• Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Issues
• Impact Fees
• Vested Rights

Brown & Hofmeister’s trial and appellate lawyers offer significant, successful experience representing public and private clients in state and federal courts in Texas, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United State Supreme Court.  Our practice focuses on cases with commercial, real property, and governmental clients. Recognized by peers for our competence and adherence to the highest ethical standards, Brown & Hofmeister’s attorneys can assist you when and where it matters most – in the courtroom, passionately representing and defending your interests.

Brown & Hofmeister’s innovative team of attorneys has aggressively litigated complex disputes related to the following:

• Real estate
• Contracts
• Construction
• Employment issues
• Election Contests
• Constitutional and Civil Rights Matters
• Condemnation
• Land Use and Zoning

Employment law attorneys at Brown & Hofmeister represent private businesses, counties, and cities in the North Texas area.  Clients rely on our experience and established success to develop programs and practices that reduce the possibility of litigation and employee grievances.  With the experience of Brown & Hofmeister on your side, you can be confident your employment law matters will be handled proactively and professionally.

We routinely advise our clients on legal issues related to employment matters, and we also offer training materials and classroom experience on a wide range of topics, such as:

• Equal Employment Opportunity Plans
• ADA/FMLA Compliance
• Discrimination and Title VII Claims
• Privacy and Employee Monitoring
• Wage and Hour Disputes
• Wrongful Termination