Mr. Frederick J. Biel, Attorney

FREDERICK (FRED) J. BIEL, an Atlas & Hall partner since 1989, represents clients in real estate law, including the sale and acquisition of improved and unimproved land, commercial and residential real estate development, mortgage lending, foreclosures and loan re-structurings, commercial retail, office and industrial leasing, residential and commercial construction, real estate brokerage and management, residential and commercial property owners associations, condominium development, government regulation and approval of residential and commercial subdivisions, farm and ranch matters, and entity formation and structuring. Prior to joining Atlas & Hall, Fred's practice included government service as general counsel to the Commissioner and Board for the Texas Department of Human Resources, County Attorney for Bee County, Texas, and Municipal Prosecutor for the City of Beeville, Texas. From 1983 through 1987 Fred was a partner in the Beeville, Texas law firm of Morrill, Patton & Biel.

In addition to certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Commercial Real Estate Law, Residential Real Estate Law and Farm and Ranch Real Estate Law, Fred is a member of the Hidalgo and American Bar Associations, the State Bar of Texas, the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the American College of Real Estate Lawyers, the College of the State Bar of Texas, and the Texas College of Real Estate Attorneys. Texas Monthly, in each of the years 2003 through 2009, recognized Fred as a Texas Super Lawyer in Real Estate Law. Fred has lectured at real estate law and mortgage lending institutes sponsored by the State Bar of Texas, The University of Texas Law School and several local organizations, and he is a Sustaining Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.

Fred is a member of: the State Bar of Texas Real Estate Forms Committee (former Vice Chair June 2003 - May 2005); the State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate and Trust Council; the Title Insurance Subcommittee (Chair) of the State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate and Trust Council; the Hidalgo County Bar Association Real Estate Section (former Co-Chair); the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Real Estate Law Exam Commission; the South Texas Community College Advisory Committee on Legal Assistants; and his law firm's Executive Committee. Fred is a former member and Chair (1999-2005) of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Real Estate Law Legal Assistants Advisory Commission, a former member and Chair (2003-2008) of the Texas Board of Legal Specialization Real Estate Law Advisory Commission; and a former member and Chair of the City of McAllen, Texas, Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals (2002-2007).

Fred represents the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, several other local, non-profit groups organized to facilitate home ownership, serves on his Church's Pastoral Council (former President), and he has taught religion classes to children and adults at McAllen, Texas' Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church's. He has also served as a volunteer for the Sandi Jo Funk Hospice, in Harlingen, Texas.

Fred received B.B.A. and J.D. degrees in 1973 from Baylor University. He was admitted to practice law in Texas in 1973.