Bio

Phillip Schmandt practice began with an international law firm in Austin, Texas, where he focused primarily on corporate and real estate transactions. Within four years of beginning to practice law, Phillip was primary counsel for one of the largest real estate developments in Texas, a 5,000-acre development in Williamson County. Phillip continues to represent that client 20 years later. Later, Phillip had opportunities to practice in Kuwait, Frankfurt, and later Houston, where he developed expertise in technology and internet law. He offers clients substantial expertise in structuring, negotiating and drafting electronic data agreements, software licensing and software-as-a-service (SaaS) agreements, licensing and marketing agreements, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. Phillip represents both software (as product) and SaaS providers — as well as companies acquiring those technologies — on a worldwide basis. He has also represented technology companies that serve the upstream oil and gas industry, including U.S.-based and multinational oil companies. Phillip has deep expertise in representing industry consortiums and tax exempt standards setting bodies, including organizations promoting electronic commerce, electronic data standards, and renewable energy. Phillip continues to practice in his original area of expertise, Central Texas real estate and development. He has worked extensively with clients in Travis, Hays and Williamson Counties in all aspects of the development process including: entity formation and financing, acquisition, due diligence and entitlements, and sales and leasing. Phillip has counseled residential, commercial, and industrial developers and represented them before governmental agencies, municipalities, counties, state and federal agencies, and other governing bodies. He also has experience in special district laws, such as utilities and taxing districts. Moreover, Phillip has represented governmental entities in preparing their own development regulations, experience which is reflected in his balanced and practical approach to issues that arise in the development process. Phillip practices in state and federal courts, as well as international arbitration tribunals.