Kathleen J. Wu

For more than 35 years, Kathleen has partnered with clients to execute intricate, sophisticated real estate transactions across industries and disciplines. She has provided counsel to practically every conceivable seat at the real estate table, giving her a valuable perspective on all moving parts in a deal. Kathleen provides counsel on complex financings, joint ventures, asset management, loan servicing, affordable housing, construction and development, data centers, multi asset portfolios, retail, industrial and warehouse properties, and hospitality and other transactions.

She is known for her elevated understanding of clients’ businesses, anticipating and planning for the unexpected, and guiding clients through difficult legal and business matters. Clients from Wall Street to California appreciate her energy, innovative thinking, and calm demeanor as she develops strategy and facilitates the “end game.” Her reputation as a trusted advisor has attracted a loyal and far-reaching audience for her work and insights.

Kathleen’s advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion has earned awards including the Women of Color Achievement Award (100 Black Men of America), “Women of Spirit” Award (American Jewish Congress), and Justice David Wellington Chew Award (State Bar of Texas). She was named one of Dallas’ Top 50 Women in Law by the National Diversity Council.

Kathleen is also actively engaged in many civic and charitable organizations. For example, she is the first Asian American woman to chair the Board of Regents of a public university, Texas Woman’s University; the current President of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Foundation; and she was recently inducted into the prestigious Texas Philosophical Society.

• Recommended for Real Estate Finance (2021-2022, 2024) and Real Estate (2019-2020), Legal 500 United States
• Recognized among the “Best Lawyers” in Dallas, D Magazine, 2003-2024
• Named a Women in Business Awards honoree, Dallas Business Journal, 2023
• Honoree representing USTA Texas as a Champion of Equality, US Open, 2023 
• Selected as a Super Lawyer for Real Estate Law, Texas Monthly magazine, 2003-2024
• Recognized as an Influencer by GlobeSt. Real Estate Forum’s Women of Influence Awards 2021
• Recipient of the Diversity Champion Award, US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce – Southwest, 2020
• Recognized by the New York State Bar Association as Empire State Counsel for Pro Bono Service, 2019
• E. Randolph Williams Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service, Hunton Andrews Kurth, 2013-2022 
• Nominated into the International Women’s Forum (IWF), 2018
• Gubernatorial Appointment by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Board of Regents, Texas Woman’s University, appointed 2018
• Named one of the “Dallas Top 50 Women in Law,” The National Diversity Council, 2017
• Recipient of the Leadership Legacy Outstanding Achievement Award, US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce – Southwest, 2017
• Named NorthPark Center Luxury Ambassador, 2017
• Recipient of the Louise B. Raggio Award (formerly the Ma’at Justice Award), Texas State Bar Women and the Law Section, 2015
• Recipient of the 2014 Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau DFW-area Women’s Award, 2014
• Recipient of the 2013 Women of Color Achievement Award, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., 2013
• Profiled as a Top Rated Lawyer in Real Estate, American Lawyer Media and Martindale-Hubbell, 2013
• Profiled as one of “Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers” by ALM in Real Estate, 2012
• Recipient of the Dallas Asian American Bar Association Outstanding Trailblazer Award, 2011
• Recognized among the Top 3000 Leading Lawyers in America by Lawdragon, 2011
• Recipient of the SMU Women’s Symposium Community Award, 2011
• Named one of the “Top 50 Women Lawyers,” Texas Monthly, 2003-2011
• Profiled in “2010’s Leading Law Firm Rainmakers”, Diversity and The Bar, November/December 2010
• Recognized as one of the“Best Women Lawyers in Dallas” by D Magazine, 2010
• Selected to the DirectWomen Board Institute, 2009
• Named a Super Lawyer in Real Estate, Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel Edition, May/June 2009
• Featured in the Women’s Advantage Calendar, 2009
• Recognized as one of the “Extraordinary Women in Texas Law” by Texas Lawyer, 2008
• Recognized as one of “Dallas/Fort Worth’s Most Influential Women” by Dallas Business Journal, 2008
• Recognized among the “Most Powerful and Influential Women in Texas” by Texas Diversity magazine, 2008
• Recognized among the Top 500 Leading Lawyers in America by Lawdragon, 2006-2008
• Awarded the Justice David Wellington Chew Award by the State Bar of Texas, 2007
• Recipient of the “Women of Spirit” Award by the American Jewish Congress, 2007
• Recognized among the Top 500 Dealmakers in America by Lawdragon, 2007
• Recipient of the Louise B. Raggio Award by the Dallas Women Lawyers Association, 2006
• Awarded the Highest Achievement in the Law by the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, 2005
• Named Finalist by the Association for Women Journalists for the Vivian Castleberry Award, 2005-2006
• Named one of the “Top Six” Real Estate Lawyers in Texas,Texas Lawyer – Go To Guide

• USTA Foundation: President, elected 2021; Vice President, elected 2018; Board of Directors, appointed 2015–2024; Co-Chair, Development Committee, appointed 2019; Member, Nominating and Governance Committee; Member, Disbursements Committee
• USTA Texas: General Counsel, appointed 2007–2024; Member, Management Committee and Board of Directors, 2007–2024; Vice President, 2011–2014
• USTA: Board of Directors, appointed 2015-2017; Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee, 2015-2017; Chairman, National Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 2012–2014; Vice Chairman, National Diversity and Inclusion Committee, 2010–2011; Member, Advisory Group on Committees, 2013–2014; Member, National Constitution and Rules Committee, 2008–2010
• Barnard College, Columbia University: Board of Trustees, appointed 2024
• Texas Woman’s University: Chair, Board of Regents, elected 2021; Vice Chairman, appointed 2019; Chairman, Finance and Audit Committee, appointed 2019; Member, appointed 2018
• Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA): Board of Directors, appointed 2022
• The Dallas Assembly: Member, 2013-2024; Board of Directors, appointed 2013-2016
• The Dallas Summit: Member 2014-2023; Member, Nominating Committee, appointed 2014–2015
• ReBuilding Together: Board of Directors, 2017-2024; Chairman, Development Committee, 2017-2024
• Practical Law Real Estate: Advisory Board, 2019-2024 (membership by invitation only)
• Business Council for the Arts: Board of Directors, 2020-2024 (membership by invitation only)
• Dallas Tennis Association: Advisory Board, 2018-2024; Member, 2015-2018; Board of Directors, 2012-2014
• The President’s Committee on White House Fellowships: Regional Selection Judge, 2012–2017, 2021
• US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce – Southwest: Corporate Advisory Board of Directors, 2017–2021 (membership by invitation only)
• Southwestern Medical Foundation: Board of Trustees, appointed 2021
• Philosophical Society of Texas: Member, elected 2020 (membership by invitation only)
• Southern Methodist University: Tate Lecture Series Board of Directors, appointed 2014–2019
• The Dallas Citizens Council: Board of Directors, appointed to 2016–2019
• The Arts Community Alliance (TACA): Chairman, Vibrancy in the Arts Committee, 2018-2019; Member, Nominating Committee, 2018-2019; Board of Directors, appointed 2017
• Dallas Regional Chamber Education & Workforce Committee: Member, appointed 2018-2019
• New York State Bar Association: Member, Executive Committee, Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section, 2010–2018
• New York State Bar Association: Co-Chair, Sports Law Committee, 2010–2018
• International Women’s Forum: Member, appointed 2018 (membership by invitation only)
• American Bar Association Commission on Women, Center for WorkLife Law and the Minority Corporate Counsel Association: Member, Bias Interrupters Working Group, 2016
• Greenhill School Board of Trustees and Executive Committee: Member, 2004–2010
• State Bar of Texas Women in the Profession Committee: Member, 2008–2010
• City of Dallas Judicial Nominating Commission: Member, 2007–2009 (appointment by the Dallas City Council)
• Turtle Creek Manor: Member, Advisory Board, 2002–2008
• Texas Cultural Trust Council: Member, Executive Committee and Board of Directors, 2005–2008
• Girls Inc.: Member, Nominating Committee, 2008
• Dallas County Hospital District Blue Ribbon Master Capital Plan Advisory Committee: Member, 2005–2007 (appointed by the Dallas County Commissioners Court)
• State Bar of Texas Task Force on Women and Minorities: Member, appointed 2006
• Attorneys Serving the Community: Co-Honorary Chair, 2003
• The Women Presidents’ Organization: Member 2017-2023 (membership by invitation only)
• University of Texas School of Law: Founding Member, Center for Women in Law (membership by invitation only)
• American Bar Association: Member
• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association: Member
• State Bar of Texas: Member
• Dallas Bar Association: Member
• New York State Bar Association: Member
• Connecticut Bar Association: Member