Graduated Lease Lawyers for Texas

Josh Bernstein has been serving real estate and corporate transactional clients since 2002. His experience is varied, and he enjoys working on and puzzling out novel and complex corporate and real estate matters. Josh’s experience includes, among other things, the following: representation of public companies in connection with SEC reporting and compliance work (proxies, 10-K’s; 10-Q’s; 8-K’s, etc.); representation of public and private company securities issuances (including private placements, and other similar offerings); assistance in structuring and drafting joint ventures, both for investors and operating partners, and including both real estate and corporate ventures; handling public and private company mergers and acquisitions; and asset sales and dispositions; assisting clients, big and small, with real estate acquisitions, sales and financings; managing large-scale and multi-state real estate portfolio acquisitions, dispositions and financings; complex condominium creation, structuring and governance work, including: commercial condominiums, use of condominiums as a land planning tool, wholesale condominium property acquisitions and dispositions, and rehabilitating failed or faulty condominium legal structures to make ready for sale; development of restrictive covenants and owners’ association documents for master-planned communities; compliance with federal statutes governing real estate sale and development (including, without limitation, the Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act, the Housing for Older Persons Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act); representation of real estate lenders, for both improved and unimproved property, and including numerous construction financings secured by real estate; assistance with commercial leasing; from both the landlord and tenant side, and including condominium leasing; training residential home and condominium sales staff for compliance with applicable local and federal law; and workouts of all kinds. When he’s not busy lawyering, Josh may be found watching 80’s commercials, flying a single-engine plane, playing poker, or trying to be a good dad.

Coats Business Consulting provides a la carte commercial and legal advisory services for private clients, specializing in Start-Ups and small to medium-sized businesses. Services offered include: Start-Up Consulting (Strategic Planning, Investor Pitch Decks, Commercial Filings, Business Organization) Corporate Document Production (Operating Agreements, Shareholder Agreements, Human Resources, including Employment and Independent Contractor Agreements) Contract Interpretation (Drafting, Review, and Negotiation) Corporate Compliance (Federal and State Regulations) Management Consulting (Goal Setting, Revenue Generation, Operations and Process Consulting, Personnel Hiring, and Evaluation) Commercial Real Estate Transactions (Purchase and Sales Agreements, Leases)

I grew up in Beaumont, Texas. I attended Baylor University for college and the The University of Texas School of Law for law school. I gained extensive experience in many areas of transactional law through my former position as corporate counsel at National Western Life Insurance Company and my current position as an Associate at Nance & Simpson, LLP.

I am semi-retired, and I have over 30 years of legal practice. I can assist you with business formation, business acquisition, contract creation, contract review, and modification, estate plan, will, trust, probate, and general legal advice concerning many areas of law.

I’m a Texas-based business attorney focused on helping companies—from early-stage startups to established enterprises—navigate their legal needs with clarity and confidence. My practice centers on contracts, corporate governance, and international business matters. Whether you're forming a new company, reviewing a commercial agreement, or expanding into new markets, I bring practical, business-minded legal guidance tailored to your goals. Clients appreciate that I don’t just “paper” deals—I help them understand what they’re signing and protect their long-term interests. I believe in clear communication, fair flat fees, and efficient turnarounds, especially when time is money. In addition to domestic clients, I work with a range of foreign individuals and companies doing business in the U.S., and regularly assist with cross-border transactions, regulatory issues, and contract negotiation. If you’re looking for an attorney who values relationships, communicates clearly, and knows how to get deals done—I’d be glad to connect.

I am an attorney practicing in the greater Houston area. I have experience in various fields like personal injury, probate, real estate transactions, criminal defense, and traffic tickets.

I possess vast experience on most if not all commercial real estate transactions from raw land to sales and other dispositions

I am a seasoned real estate attorney with over 20 years of experience advising clients across all facets of real estate development, leasing, and construction. Known for a practical and solution-oriented approach, I have guided developers, property owners, and investors through complex transactions, contract negotiations, and regulatory challenges with efficiency and clarity. I also worked in house for the largest developer for Target retail centers in North Texas.

Since starting as a Wall Street lawyer in 2004, I have led and closed 100's of transactions ranging from small business acquisitions to multi-billion-dollar domestic and international deals as well as private capital raises large and small. With over 20 years of experience in corporate, M&A, and securities law, I provide strategic legal counsel tailored to high-stakes business initiatives as well as critical advice to startups and companies raising capital. 🔴CORE PRACTICE AREAS: Capital Raising: Structuring and preparing Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs), SAFE Notes, Convertible Notes, Promissory Notes, Bridge Notes, Warrants, Reg A, Reg CF, Reg D, and Reg S offerings. Business Transactions: Representing buyers and sellers in domestic and cross-border M&A. Startups and Growth-Stage Businesses: Formation, structuring, scaling, and preparing businesses for investment or acquisition. Exit Planning: Legal strategy and execution for business sales and investor exits. Strategic Advisory: Advising boards of directors, C-suite executives and founders on overall business strategy and business acquisition/disposition matters. 🔴LEGAL EXPERTISE: Structuring and negotiating complex M&A and capital markets transactions. Drafting core transactional documents: purchase agreements, subscription agreements, operating/shareholder agreements, and corporate governance materials. Advising on securities compliance, including Reg A, Reg D, and Reg S offerings, Blue Sky compliance, and SEC filings. Fund formation and structured finance: extensive experience with CDOs, CMBS/RMBS, and Investment Company Act issues. Partnering with senior management and boards to align legal strategies with business objectives. Collaborating with international counsel and multidisciplinary teams on multijurisdictional deals. 🔴TRACK RECORD: Former Senior Associate Attorney at international Corporate M&A powerhouse Clifford Chance and top Corporate & Structured Finance law firm Thacher Proffitt & Wood both in Manhattan (New York City), where I represented investment banks, public and private companies, private equity sponsors, startups and hedge funds on strategic transactions. Closed and supported multi-billion-dollar deals across industries and jurisdictions. Delivered practical legal solutions to drive successful outcomes for clients ranging from startups to global financial institutions. I am licensed to practice law in New York and Texas. Corporate & Securities Attorney | Strategic Deal Advisor | M&A and Capital Raising Specialist

I’m a Texas-based attorney with extensive experience in business law, real estate transactions, estate planning, probate, and immigration. I focus on providing clear, efficient, and client-focused legal solutions. Whether you're looking to draft, review, or negotiate contracts, I bring a practical mindset and attention to detail to protect your interests and help you move forward with confidence.