Frank Z. Ruttenberg
Partner
Lynn Zimmermann
210.299.3454
Frank Z. Ruttenberg studied business finance and tax law before entering the practice of commercial and real estate law in San Antonio 25 years ago. This pragmatic combination of disciplines forms the foundation for an extensive representation of businesses in the energy, construction, hospitality, sports and entertainment industries.
In general commercial law, Mr. Ruttenberg assists businesses with day-to-day operating needs, negotiating and drafting business contracts, and the formation of business entities, including limited partnerships, limited liability companies, general partnerships, registered limited liability partnerships and corporations. He prepares intra-owner agreements for commercial entities of all types and the documentation of private offerings in connection with the formation of investment capital.
Mr. Ruttenberg's real estate practice includes negotiating and preparing documents relating to the financing, lease, sale, purchase and operation of income producing properties; the finance, acquisition, development and day-to-day operations for apartment and commercial-use complexes; landlord/tenant relations; commercial transactions with governmental agencies; and the redevelopment and preservation of historic structures.
Increasingly, Mr. Ruttenberg is involved in assisting development clients with the purchase, sale or lease of groundwater and surface water rights, the development of diversion facilities, and other water development and water supply agreements.
Publications and Speeches
"How to Allocate Partnership Liabilities Under Temporary Regs to Section 752," The Practical Accountant, Vol. 23/No. 6, 1990.
"Valuation of Service Partner's Profits Interest Merits Renewed Attention," The Practical Accountant, Vol. 23/No. 12, 1990.
"Changing Face of Water Rights: Groundwater Conveyancing (Sale and Lease)," State Bar of Texas, 2005.
"Transferring Groundwater Rights," San Antonio Bar Association, Natural Resources Section, 2004.
"Current Issues Affecting Partnerships, Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies," University of Texas School of Law, 2004.
"Unintended Partnerships: Current Issues Affecting Partnerships, Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies," University of Texas School of Law, 2004.
"Drafting Groundwater Transfer Agreements," West Water Research National Water Resources Symposium, 2004.
Co-presentor, "Contracts with Governments Entities: Advanced Real Estate," State Bar of Texas, 2004.
"Transferring Groundwater Rights," Texas Water Resource Institute, Texas A&M University, San Antonio, 2004.
"Drafting for Groundwater Conveyancing: The Changing Face of Water Rights in Texas," State Bar of Texas, 2004.
"Drafting and Negotiating Limited Partnership Agreements from the General Partner and Limited Partner Perspectives: Current Issues Affecting Partnerships and Limited Partners," University of Texas School of Law, 2003.
"Transferring Groundwater Rights," Advanced Real Estate Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 2003.
"Transferring Groundwater Rights," Real Estate Seminar, Trust Financial Services Division, 2003.
"Transferring Groundwater Rights: The Changing Face of Water Rights in Texas," State Bar of Texas, 2003.
"A Guide to Strategic Alliances: An Analysis of Benefits and Drawbacks of Current Issues Affecting Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies," University of Texas School of Law, 2002.
"State Law on Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies: Special Considerations," Annual Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, 2001.
Co-presentor, "A Primer on Texas Water Law," Mortgage Lending Institute, 2001.
"Negotiating Partnership Agreements and LLC Regulations: Representing the Limited Partner on Current Issues Affecting Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies," University of Texas School of Law, 2001.
"Interdisciplinary Issues Involving Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies: State Law on Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies," State Bar of Texas, Advanced Estate Planning and Probate Course, 2001.
"Negotiating Partnership Agreements and LLC Regulations: Current Issues Affecting Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies," University of Texas School of Law, 2000.
"Top Ten Gotchas: Current Issues Affecting Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies," University of Texas School of Law, 2000.
"Top Ten Gotchas: Drafting General Partnership, Limited Partnership, and Limited Liability Company Documentation," Houston Bar Association, Tax Section, 2000.
"The Economics of the Deal: Current Issues Affecting Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies," University of Texas School of Law, 1999.
"Real Estate Forms," Legal Assistants Division of the State Bar of Texas, 1999.
"Farm and Ranch Contract: Review of TREC Modifications," San Antonio Board of Realtors, 1998.
"TREC Form Modifications," San Antonio Board of Realtors, 1998.
"TREC Form Modifications," San Antonio Real Estate Discussion, 1998.
"Practical Considerations in Drafting Limited Partnership Agreements: The Economics of the Deal," San Antonio Real Estate Discussion Group, 1998.
Co -presentor, "Practical Considerations in Drafting Limited Partnership Agreements: The Economics of the Deal," University of Texas Conference on Current Issues Affecting Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies, 1997.
Co -presentor, "Practical Considerations in Drafting Limited Partnership Agreements," University of Texas Conference on Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Registered Limited Liability Partnerships, 1995.
"Selected Legal Issues in Connection with the Management of Office Buildings," Asbestos Issues, 1995.
Co-presentor, "Red Flags and Hot Topics: Selected Issues in Texas Law," State Bar of Texas, Annual Meeting Seminar, 1994.
Co-presentor, "Practical Considerations in Drafting Limited Partnership Agreements," University of Texas Conference on Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, and Registered Limited Liability Partnerships, 1994.
"Limited Liability Companies: The Entity of Choice in Texas," 1994.
"Real Estate Agents and the Dual Agency Dilemma," Advanced Real Estate Law Course, State Bar of Texas, 1994.
"Partnership Update," San Antonio Real Estate Discussion Group, 1994.
"Partnership Tax Update," San Antonio Chapter of Texas Society of CPAs, 1994.
"Mergers and Conversions Under the Texas Revised Limited Partnership Act," University of Texas Conference on Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and Registered Limited Liability Partnerships, 1993.
"ADA: Improved Properties," 1992.
Education
LL.M., Taxation, New York University School of Law, 1982
J.D., St. Mary's University School of Law, 1979
B.B.A., Finance, The University of Texas at Austin, 1976
Bar Admissions
Texas
Affiliations
American Bar Association, Tax Section, Committee on Partnerships
Texas Real Estate Commission, Broker/Lawyer Committee
State Bar of Texas, Real Estate Probate and Trusts Section
State Bar of Texas, Business Law Section, Partnership and Limited Liability Company Law Committee, Chair
San Antonio Bar Association, Real Estate Discussion Group
Noteworthy
The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law
Texas Super Lawyer, Real Estate, 2006-2007
Scene in San Antonio Monthly, Most Influential San Antonians of 2005, Real Estate and Water Law