RSJ attorneys provided lead advocacy in gaining approval of the Zoning, Platting, and Tax Increment Financing for a new Entertainment District featuring an 8,000 seat Arena in Norman, which will serve as a new athletics venue for the University of Oklahoma and other community events and concerts.  The 90+ acre project also will feature extensive retail, food and beverage, office, hotel, and multi-family developments.  The approval process took over a year to achieve.  

RSJ also worked on the subsequent litigation that defeated a flawed referendum proposal that sought to overturn the City’s approval of the TIF financing.  In ALLISON, et al. v. MCCOY-POST, et al., 2026 OK 4, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in February 2026 that the referendum actions were legally insufficient and that the referendum statements were incorrect and misleading.  Thus, the City’s approval of the TIF and associated entertainment district and arena project stands and can move forward. 

Successfully defended a real estate developer/seller from a home builder buyer at trial court via Motion to Dismiss and Motion for Summary Judgement, and then won on appeal against claims of homebuilder who sued the developer over multiple breach of contract and tort theories.

Won a due process 15-hour hearing representing a client to administratively terminate a career governmental employee for willful neglect of duty. The trial was held in one day, beginning in the morning and ending nearly at midnight, with the finding that the career employee had severely violated the standard of care for their position.

Obtained zoning and preliminary plat approval for a large new multifamily project that involved redevelopment of an older apartment complex into a seven-story multifamily podium project on top of a new parking garage, featuring 250 units, two large courtyard areas, and various amenities. Project involved significant access and stormwater issues.

Represented many property owners in the condemnation of their properties by a company developing a large electrical transmission line across multiple counties in central Oklahoma. We were able to obtain taking awards in substantially higher values than were initially offered by the quasi-governmental power line developer. As one example, one initial offer was $18,075, and through representation with experts, extensive negotiations, and pressing of remainder proximity damages, we were able to obtain a final award of $249,000.

Successfully defended a commercial Landlord, TWICE, against a restaurant Tenant that was suing the Landlord for equitable claims demanding that the Landlord pay the Tenant over $1,000,000 for improvements to the commercial property that the Tenant unilaterally made without any evidence of Landlord ever agreeing to reimburse Tenant for the improvements.

Won a non-jury trial on behalf of homeowners who were claiming an easement by necessity against abutting property owners, asserting prescriptive easements that had been in place for decades and provided the only means of access to the client’s property.

Won a rezoning for a new mixed-use development over 41 acres, featuring commercial, hospitality, multifamily, and industrial. The project was challenged by adjacencies to high impact governmental uses and the need to buffer to the nearby concerns.

Defended Landlord in federal district court in a Fair Housing Act case where tenant asserted racial discrimination claims and won dismissal on all claims (currently on appeal in 10th Circuit).

Negotiated to execution various commercial leases for several different clients and different properties to national tenants, including Dollar Tree, Five Below, Einstein Bagel, Wingstop, Whataburger, Lovesac, and others.

Closed a $5.4M sale of commercial real estate in Texas, involving uses that included environmental inspection matters, and involving 1031 timing matters that necessitated an aggressive sequence to closing.

Closed an $11,000,000 purchase of business assets and merger transaction. Transaction involved merger of business entities, executive employment contracts, and corporate concerns across five different entities with hundreds of employees.

Won a rezoning for a major national large box super center retailer and ancillary commercial uses over forty-one acres, involving over a dozen different commercial peripheral tracts to be used by others. Project included a detailed PUD ordinance, stormwater controls, and traffic issues.

Probated multimillion dollar estates, involving property and heir complexities.

Successfully defended home builder at trial court and on appeal against home buyer who asserted claims against homebuilder for improper drainage/flooding of home, fraud, and breach of contract. Worked through 8 years of defending motions, moving for summary judgement, and winning or negating three different appeals, ultimately winning on every count.

Successfully represented homeowner plaintiffs in disclosure act case against Sellers and Sellers’ real estate agent who failed to disclose their actual knowledge of roof and drainage defects; negotiated successfully for 100% of homeowner’s damages and 100% of the costs and attorney fees in formal mediation.

Achieved a condemnation award settlement of $3,046,000 after initial condemner offer of $42,500. Negotiated over 15 months and included successfully changing the layout of land being taken.

Completed a complex ground lease between two governmental entities, for a new aviation academy. Negotiations extended over 16 months and involved details with bonding, FAA regulations, and historic WWII navel base matters.

Defended against Motion for Attorney Fees that sought $80,000. Judge granted movant $5,000. Was upheld on appeal.

As attorney for Seller, negotiated and closed an $80,000,000 sale of a large package of real estate and business assets. Transaction involved ten separate real estate properties over multiple counties, along with all business assets, employment contracts, assignments, and more.

As attorney for Buyer, negotiated and closed a $33,800,000 purchase of industrial real estate in Texas, which involved over thirty acres and an extensive development of industrial warehouse facilities under lease agreements, along with Texas Department of transportation condemnation of perimeter pieces.

Completed various commercial sales to national buyers including McDonalds, Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, Panda Express, Brakes Plus, and more.