Phone: (512) 580-5011 

Email: JBabb@brltexaslaw.com

Education

  • J.D., Univ. of Texas School of Law

  • B.B.A., Univ. of Texas (Finance and Real Estate)

Professional and Community Involvement

  • Life Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation

  • Member, College of the State Bar

  • Member, Austin Bar Association

  • Texas Ex-Students Association (Life Member)

  • Urban Renewal Board, City of Austin, 2011 – 2019

  • Tanglewood Forrest Limited District, a former municipal Utility District that now serves as a park district in South Austin - Elected Board Member from 1986 - 2014, President from 1989 - 2014

  • Volunteer Attorney, Volunteer Legal Services of Central Texas

Admissions

  • State Bar of Texas

  • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas

Practice Areas

  • Real Estate Transactions and Litigation

  • Commercial Transactions and Litigation

  • Representation of Trade Associations

  • Water and Environmental Law

  • Trials and Appeals in State and Federal Courts

  • Estate Planning and Probate (including Guardianships and Litigation)

  • Collections

Joe Babb has been practicing law in Austin since 1985. Starting his practice just in time for the great Texas real estate depression of the 1980s following the savings and loan crisis, Joe by necessity learned how to be creative in resolving difficult legal issues related to troubled real estate loans and disintegrating partnerships.  Joe has also handled literally thousands of collection matters for large and small creditors and defendants, including those involving straight breach of contract claims, fraud, real estate fraud, and racketeering.  Joe brings that hard-earned experience to his clients in his areas of practice, listed below. 

Joe started working with REALTORS® in law school, and hasn’t stopped.  He worked on creating the original form documents for the Texas Association of REALTORS® and the Austin Board of REALTORS®.  Joe continues those relationships today, working closely with REALTOR® associations, REALTORS®, and their clients. If it touches real estate, Joe has probably worked on it.  He has worked on many and varied commercial and residential real estate transactions, and has also handled the litigation which sometimes, unfortunately, arises from those transactions. He knows every deal is different, every deal is special to his clients, and every deal can come unraveled if not properly structured.

Working so closely with real estate, Joe also knows the value of estate planning and taking care of your family’s assets in times of difficulty and for succeeding generations.  You need a will and powers of attorney to handle those assets and for making medical decisions.  In some special circumstances trusts or other arrangements, such as LLCs or family limited partnerships, are appropriate for handling your assets.  Joe can help you assess your needs and prepare for the future. Joe is also very experienced in handling probate of decedent’s estates and guardianships, particularly those involving real property issues or contested claims.