Michael Cortez

Partner

Houston
T +1.713.646.1390
F +1.713.751.1717

Overview

Michael Cortez concentrates his entire practice on representing real estate owners, renewable energy technology companies, healthcare technology companies, architects, contractors and EPCs on a wide variety of complex commercial and industrial construction projects. This construction focus has enabled him to accumulate significant experience representing clients in drafting and negotiating construction contracts under multiple project delivery systems.

Mike negotiated downstream procurement and service agreements, subcontracts and financial security agreements for a complex international liquified natural gas plants project for a leading global energy company. He has also served as in-house construction counsel for a multibillion-dollar domestic portfolio of multifamily and mixed-use projects for a large real estate development firm in Houston.

Mike is a frequent contributing author and speaker on construction law topics, including the preparation and negotiation of design, engineering, procurement and construction contracts; the preparation, negotiation and analyses of mechanic’s lien and bond claims; construction disputes and project risk management. He is also the author of the Texas Chapters of the Aspen Law & Business’ State-by-State Guide to Architect, Engineer, and Contractor Licensing, and the Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Law.

Select Experience

  • Represented a renewable energy technology company providing AI-enabled concentrated solar energy for the engineering, procurement and construction of a $90 million commercial scale development project partially funded by the Department of Energy with a leading Australian energy provider.
  • Represented Engineering News-Record Top Environmental Contractor in negotiation of more than $250 million of remediation service agreements on multibillion-dollar liquified natural gas and other industrial projects.
  • Negotiated more than $100 million of commercial construction contracts for general contractors on HUD financed projects for senior housing and low income housing projects in Central Texas.
More »

Experience

  • Represented a renewable energy technology company providing AI-enabled concentrated solar energy for the engineering, procurement and construction of a $90 million commercial scale development project partially funded by the Department of Energy with a leading Australian energy provider.
  • Represented Engineering News-Record Top Environmental Contractor in negotiation of more than $250 million of remediation service agreements on multibillion-dollar liquified natural gas and other industrial projects.
  • Negotiated more than $100 million of commercial construction contracts for general contractors on HUD financed projects for senior housing and low income housing projects in Central Texas.
  • Represented owner-developer on design and construction agreements for $100 million mixed use condominium and hotel tower project in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Negotiated more than $500 million of architect agreements and design-build agreements for hotel, multifamily and office towers in the downtown Houston CBD.
  • Negotiated multimillion-dollar downstream procurement and service agreements, subcontracts, financial security and other related agreements related to a $50 billion liquified natural gas project located in Australia.
  • Negotiated domestic and international EPC, construction, procurement, shipping and freight contracts for large, global oilfield chemical company for manufacturing facilities and related midstream, downstream and upstream services to the oil and gas industry.
  • Negotiated numerous owner-contractor agreements, architect agreements, consulting agreements and subcontracts for annual portfolio in excess of $5 billion of multifamily high-rise projects. Also developed and implemented standard forms, contracting and procurement procedures.
  • Negotiated international construction contract for $25 million semiconductor plant in the Philippines on behalf of large semiconductor chip manufacturer/owner.
  • Negotiated design and construction agreements for $15 million aerospace launch pad on behalf of owner-developer.
  • Achieved favorable settlements and/or dismissals of more than $20 million in lien disputes and lawsuits on a 20+ multi-family project portfolio.

Recognitions and Memberships

Memberships

  • State Bar of Texas
    • Construction Law Section
    • Oil, Gas and Energy Resources Law Section
  • Houston Bar Association, Construction Law Section
  • American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry
  • The Association of Commercial Real Estate Professionals
    • Diversity Committee
    • Membership Committee
  • Rice Global Engineering and Construction Forum, Scholarship Committee
  • Hispanic Bar Association of Houston
  • National Association of Minority Contractors, Greater Houston Chapter

Community

  • Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Admissions

  • Texas

Education

  • J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law, 1994
  • B.B.A., Texas A&M University, 1991