“Our real estate practice has grown significantly and we now represent all segments of the industry. Being part of our Business Group offers a very well-rounded representation for real estate clients and all of the complexities that property development and ownership entails—from capital formation to acquisition, and development to leasing.”

– Blake Royal, Shareholder, Business Group

Blake Royal always had an interest in real estate, but he didn’t recognize it as a young boy exploring maps and admiring the Houston skyline. While in high school, he considered architecture as a career and met with a family friend to see what the profession entailed; lacking artistic skills, drawing buildings and plans to scale was not the path he wanted to pursue.

So when he attended Baylor as a liberal arts major with a concentration in English and history, he had an opportunity to be a summer intern for Congress in Washington, D.C. His project was to assist in researching underutilized federal buildings and evaluate the opportunity to convert them to useable space. He became absorbed delving into development plans, leases, maps and plats—and put a stake in the ground on a future career course.

“Once in law school, the issues discussed in my property law classes were the most intriguing to me and quickly became an area of interest. That’s when I knew I wanted to practice commercial real estate law,” said Blake.

He joined BoyarMiller’s Business Group in 2007 after participating in the firm’s Summer Associate program, which provided experience in all types of commercial and business law issues, as well as real estate.

“The emphasis on our firm’s culture, grounded in our mission and values, was what initially appealed to me as a law student, and the consistent application of our culture to all aspects of our business is why I have chosen to further my career at the firm,” said Blake. “Our real estate practice has grown significantly and we now represent all segments of the industry. Being part of our Business Group offers a very well-rounded representation for real estate clients and all of the complexities that property development and ownership entails—from capital formation to acquisition, and development to leasing,” said Blake, who became a BoyarMiller Shareholder in 2015.

As a way to help advance young professionals in the real estate industry, Blake is one of the three leaders who formed the Steering Committee for ULI NEXT, a new initiative of the Urban Land Institute’s Houston Chapter.

“We act as a peer advisory group to the next generation of leaders in Houston’s real estate industry,” said Blake. “It is a great way to build relationships, share information and enhance skills.”

A fourth-generation Texan, Blake and his wife Carolyn have four children. Much of his free time is spent keeping up with his boys. He also works to improve his golf game, hunts a few times a year with family members, and is an avid reader.

“Carolyn is amazed that I enjoy reading for relaxation because it’s such a big part of my day-to-day activities as a lawyer,” said Blake, who recently completed reading Harpoon, Inside the Covert War Against Terrorism’s Money Masters. No light reading there!

Reading alone in silence at home is not common for Blake, but he always manages to find the time if the right book comes along.