Ashley Storm Ruleman is an experienced legal counselor serving two diverse but often overlapping industries: the real estate development/construction industry and the alcoholic beverage industry.

Ashley spent eight years in-house serving as senior counsel to a family of companies involved in real estate development, construction and management. She has significant experience in all legal aspects of the development of multifamily, commercial and multi-use projects from the first letter of intent to entity formation, real estate instruments, applications and filings with governmental entities, to contract negotiations and joint development ventures. On the management side, Ashley drafts and negotiates leases, advises regarding onsite property management issues, and oversees efficient resolution of landlord-tenant disputes.

Ashley also previously served as Assistant General Counsel to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC). She advises bars, restaurants, golf courses, and everything in between regarding appropriate business structures, contracts, and real estate transactions that comply with the rules and policies created by the TABC and other applicable Texas laws. Ashley also assists clients in developing operational practices that comply with TABC regulations and, if faced with an investigation by the TABC, advocates on behalf of clients before the TABC and the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Representative Matters

• Represented multiple restaurant/bar clients in TABC administrative proceedings
• Managed all legal aspects of development and construction of multifamily apartment complexes in Texas and Oklahoma
• Managed all aspects of joint venture and development of commercial and multi-use real estate project
• Served as general counsel for real estate development and construction firm, including responsibility for project contracts, vendor contracts, insurance/risk mitigation, oversaw zoning/variance applications and employment matters