Seyfarth Again Bolsters Real Estate Offerings with Significant Addition of Ex-Baker Botts Real Estate Chair Connie Simmons Taylor as Partner in Houston

June 10, 2026 – Seyfarth Shaw LLP continues to expand its real estate capabilities in Texas with the notable addition of Consuella (Connie) Simmons Taylor to the firm’s Houston office as a partner in its noted Real Estate department. Taylor previously served as firmwide chair of the Real Estate & Construction practice at Baker Botts L.L.P. 

Taylor is the 11th Real Estate partner to make a lateral move to Seyfarth since the start of 2025 – and the fifth since the beginning of 2026, including three in Texas. Seyfarth’s Real Estate practice is among the largest in the country.

Taylor brings more than 30 years of experience to Seyfarth, having counseled clients on commercial real estate transactions of all asset types, primarily representing developers and owners. Clients have entrusted Taylor with a wide range of significant matters involving office and retail leasing, acquisitions, dispositions, financing, and development of real property. 

Taylor is widely recognized in the industry and has held leadership roles with the planning committee for the ICSC +US Law Conference presented by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) and with the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL). In 2025, she was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, an honor recognizing women who “innovate, uplift communities, break ceilings, and redefine leadership.”

“Connie’s outstanding real estate practice is multi-faceted and well-aligned with Seyfarth’s national platform,” said Paul Mattingly, national chair of Seyfarth’s Real Estate department. “Her deep experience in retail and office leasing, development, and sophisticated real estate transactions—combined with her reputation in the industry—positions her as a high-profile addition to our team. We are excited to have Connie join us with her vast experience and proven leadership.”

Taylor counsels both buyers and sellers of office and retail assets in major metropolitan and suburban areas across the United States, ranging from single assets to multi-asset portfolios.

She also represents clients in financing, refinancing, and loan assumptions involving office buildings, retail shopping centers and industrial/logistics projects in Houston and other large US cities. Her work includes several portfolio financings for development funds.

"I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Connie to our full-service, market-leading Houston office. Connie will be an incredible addition to one of our powerhouse departments—real estate—in addition to our strengths across labor & employment, litigation, and corporate,” said Suzanna Bonham, managing partner for Seyfarth’s Houston office. “Her decision to join Seyfarth after more than three decades at Baker Botts speaks volumes about the momentum we’re building and the power of our platform—particularly our focus on innovation, technology, and a deeply client-centered approach. Connie brings exceptional experience, a strong reputation in the market, and a collaborative leadership style that fits seamlessly with how we work. I am especially energized about what her addition means for our clients and the continued growth of our Houston office.”

Taylor has represented landlords in office and retail leasing transactions involving up to one million square feet in a single deal. Taylor’s tenant representations include the lease of approximately half-a -million square feet for a major utility company, as well as leases ranging from 10,000 to over 100,000 square feet for energy companies and other corporate clients.

“Seyfarth’s nationally integrated real estate platform presents a compelling opportunity to expand the way I serve my clients,” said Taylor. “The firm’s collaborative approach and strength in Texas and across the country position it for continued growth. I am excited to join the team in Houston and contribute to that momentum.”

Taylor’s leadership and industry impact have earned significant recognition. She is recognized as one of the “500 Leading Real Estate Lawyers” by Lawdragon and was named “Lawyer of the Year” in Real Estate Law by The Best Lawyers in America in 2023. She is consistently ranked by Chambers USA and Best Lawyers. Taylor earned her JD at Tulane University Law School and her BA at the University of Houston.

About Seyfarth’s Real Estate Department

Seyfarth’s world-class real estate team serves sophisticated clients across a number of industries. Recognized as one of the largest real estate practices in the US, we have built an integrated team that serves local, regional, and national clients on the acquisition, financing, development, leasing, restructuring, servicing, and disposition of noteworthy real estate assets and portfolios. This experience extends across comprehensive array of asset classes, including office, industrial, multifamily, retail, health care, and data center projects. We leverage our size and depth to partner with clients and to invest in material enhancements in how commercial real estate law is practiced.

About Seyfarth’s Houston office 

For more than 30 years, Seyfarth’s Houston office has been a key hub of legal service excellence for the Lone Star state. Home to some 50 attorneys who place a high premium on client service, the office services the full range of the firm’s clients’ needs. With deep practices in litigation, corporate, real estate, labor & employment, and intellectual property, the office is able to handle the gamut of needs of clients in the health care, energy, financial services, technology, chemicals, retail, transportation and logistics, and other sectors. Seyfarth Houston is proud of its strong ties to the community and its commitment to driving innovation in the profession.

About Seyfarth Shaw LLP

With more than 1,000 lawyers across 18 offices, Seyfarth Shaw LLP provides advisory, litigation, and transactional legal services to clients worldwide. The firm is recognized for its innovative approach, advancing the standard of legal service delivery in an evolving global marketplace.

Seyfarth works alongside clients to capitalize on opportunities and solve complex challenges across capabilities, including corporate, litigation, real estate, regulatory compliance, labor and employment, and executive compensation and employee benefits. Committed to collaboration and a client-centered approach, Seyfarth delivers solutions as sophisticated as the challenges clients face.