Winstead is pleased to announce the opening of our Atlanta office with the addition of seven attorneys. Christina Graham, Michael Rhim, Matt Sours, and Pelham Wilder join the firm as Shareholders, along with Tammi Parker as Of Counsel, and John Cagigas and Catherine Nunez as Associates. Read the full announcement here: winstead.com/News/Firm-News/… #JoinWinstead #RealEstateDevelopment #Atlanta #Georgia

Warmest congratulations to Kathleen Benner, JD LLM on being named the 2025 DFW Corporate Counsel Senior Counsel of the Year (Midsized Legal Department). Kathleen’s leadership on the $5.4 billion New Pediatric Campus project is a remarkable demonstration of dedication and vision, driven by a deep commitment to improving the lives of children. It is no surprise that she is so highly regarded in the Dallas legal and business communities. Her ability to align complex legal strategy with Children's Health’s mission makes this recognition well-deserved. Read more about Kathleen’s impactful work here: lnkd.in/gCnCHBjA (Photo by Patrick Kleineberg/The Texas Lawbook)

The recent ice storm in Middle Tennessee was more than a weather event—it was a stark reminder of the state’s infrastructure vulnerability. As utility poles snapped and families endured days without power, the true human and economic costs of traditional overhead distribution systems became undeniable. In a new blog post, Winstead attorney Will Stout offers his perspective on the storm’s impact and examines how Tennessee can move from a cycle of reactive repairs to building lasting resilience. Read the full blog post here: lnkd.in/g8YMrACv

𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝗮𝘀 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗨𝘀𝗲 We are proud to share Winstead’s contribution to the Chambers and Partners 2026 Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use Global Practice Guide. Our team, including Tommy Mann, Laura Hoffmann, Micah King, Mallory Muse, Matt Joeckel, and Katherine Durham, authored the “Law and Practice” and “Trends and Developments” sections of the USA-Texas chapter. Read the full Texas guide here: lnkd.in/g_nuh5CG

Big news for taxpayers: The Fifth Circuit has handed down a significant victory in Sirius Solutions LLP v. Commissioner, overturning the Tax Court’s “functional analysis” test. The court clarified that “limited partner” status for self-employment tax purposes is defined by state law—specifically, limited liability—not by a partner’s level of activity in the business. This decision restores a clear, bright-line rule and rejects the notion that active participation alone should trigger self-employment tax for state-law limited partners. Winstead attorneys Trip Dyer and John Laughlin discuss the key takeaways from this decision in their latest blog post. Read more here: bit.ly/4re2ag5

Raising capital through third-party equity sales doesn't have to be a regulatory headache. In their latest blog post, Winstead attorneys Jarrod Azopardi and Page Patrick explain how Regulation D provides a "safe-harbor" for companies looking for a cost-efficient path to growth. Read the blog post here: lnkd.in/gMYgHmTZ

In the race to embrace AI, many firms are missing a critical post-close compliance issue: state sales tax. Winstead attorneys Josh Prywes and John Laughlin recently published an article in The Texas Lawbook examining how AI is taxed in Texas and Indiana. Their analysis highlights a widening jurisdictional divide that could impact your next transaction. To learn more, read the full article here: lnkd.in/gdFBKYME (subscription may be required).

Texas continues to stand out as one of the most attractive U.S. real estate markets for Mexican investors seeking scale, stability, and long-term value. With its strong economic fundamentals, business-friendly legal environment, and deep commercial ties to Mexico, the state offers a uniquely efficient platform for cross-border real estate investment. Winstead Shareholder Luis Murguia explains in his latest blog post that successfully navigating the "Texas Triangle" requires more than just market enthusiasm. From the rise of nearshoring to the complexities of FIRPTA withholding, the legal landscape for cross-border investment is complex and multifaceted. Read the full blog post here: bit.ly/4aYFhYH

We are excited to announce the promotion of eight Winstead Associates to Of Counsel: Larry Banda, Allix Beleck, Michael D. Duran, Ginger Epstein, Roxanne Hajikhani, Khalid Karim, Alden Paras, and Travis Renna. We are proud to recognize the promotion of these eight outstanding attorneys to Of Counsel,” said Winstead CEO Jeff Matthews. “Their accomplishments reflect not only their individual talent, but also Winstead’s continued investment in developing lawyers who are prepared to serve clients at the highest level. We look forward to their continued contributions as they advance into this next phase of their careers. Read the full announcement here: bit.ly/3YCwMet Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved milestone in their careers!

A new SEC No-Action Letter has streamlined Rule 506(c) compliance, allowing fund managers to verify accredited investors via minimum investment thresholds rather than invasive tax returns or bank statements. This update removes a significant hurdle for offerings involving general solicitation, striking a balance between regulatory requirements and a frictionless investor experience. In their latest blog post, Winstead attorneys Jarrod Azopardi, Burke McDavid, Andrew Rosell, and Jacob Spicer, discuss the three specific conditions needed to leverage this new method. Read the full blog post here: bit.ly/3NKNaqO