Misty Ventura

Shupe Ventura, PLLC
9406 Biscayne Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75218
(214) 328-1101
misty.ventura@svlandlaw.com

Misty is a third generation Italian American. She was born in Galveston, but grew up in Columbus, Texas, a small town 90 miles west of Houston. Misty has taught scuba diving since 1986; between 1988 and 1990, she lived in the Cayman Islands and managed a dive resort. Misty returned to Dallas in 1990, obtained a B.S. degree in Management from UTD, and a J.D. from SMU Law School. Shortly after moving to Dallas, she met her husband, David Garderet. They have a daughter, Ava.

Misty began her legal career in the Real Estate Section of Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, but soon moved to Hughes & Luce where she acquired her interest in land-use law. In 2010, with her friend and mentor, Ike Shupe, she started Shupe Ventura, PLLC. As a member of Shupe Ventura, PLLC, Misty focuses her practice on land use entitlements and incentives. She assists clients with obtaining development permissions from local government, with an emphasis on vested rights, exactions, regulatory taking, eminent domain and overcoming regulatory obstacles to using land in the manner planned. Misty's practice includes work on economic development incentives (i.e., “public-private partnerships”), including, public improvement districts, tax increment finance reinvestment zones, venue projects, tax abatements, “4A” and “4B” economic development performance agreements, and “Chapter 380” economic development grants. Misty's practice also includes development through the use of “conservation and reclamation districts” such as Municipal Utility Districts, Fresh Water Supply Districts, Water Control and Improvement Districts, Municipal Management Districts, and special legislative districts. Misty has experience negotiating agreements for development of public infrastructure and municipal services to support planned private development.

Misty is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED-AP), a distinction she earned in 2009 through the Green Building Certification Institute. Misty was certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Residential Real Estate Law in 2002.

Professional/Civic Activities

Member, Selective Service System Local Board, Region II, State of Texas
State Bar of Texas Real Estate, Probate & Trust Law Section Council (2012-2015)

Bar Admissions

Bar of Texas

Education

J.D., Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law (1996) (project editor, SMU Law Review Association; Order of the Barristers)
B.S., The University of Texas at Dallas (1992) (magna cum laude)

Publications

"The Legislative Veto: A Move Away From Separation of Powers or a Tool to Ensure Nondelegation?," 49 SMU Law Review 401 (1996)

Speaking Engagements

"Legal issues for Planners and Engineers", University of Texas at Arlington 23rd Building Professional Institute, May 18-22, 2015.
"The Economic Toolbox," University of Texas at Austin 18th Annual Land Use Conference, March 27-28, 2014.
"MUDs and SUDs and Other Water Critters," University of Texas School of Law 2013 Land Use Planning, March 20-22, 2013.
"Hot Topics in Economic Development," University of Texas School of Law 2013 Land Use Planning, March 20-22, 2013.
"Putting It All Together: Public and Private Collaborations, Strategies and Options for Success in the New Normal," University of Texas School of Law 2013 Land Use Planning, March 20-22, 2013.
"The Definitive Guide to Special Districts, TIFs, PIDs, MMDs, MUDs, WCIDs, FWSDs and hybrid districts," University of Texas School of Law 2012 Land Use Planning, March 21-22, 2012.
"An Updated Look at Public Improvement Districts (PIDs)," 32nd Annual Advanced Real Estate Law Course, San Antonio, July 8-10, 2010.
"An Updated Look at Public Improvement Districts (PIDs) to Promote Economic Development", Dallas City Attorneys Office CLE, Dallas City Hall, June 4, 2010.
"Legislative and Case Law Update: Implications on Land Development" – 81st Legislature – Houston and Dallas Presentations, August 19 & 20, 2009
"Vested Rights in Texas - the Developer's Perspective," Halff Associates Presentation, June 10, 2009
"MUDs and SUDs and Other Water Critters," University of Texas School of Law Presentation, 2009 Land Use Conference, March 25, 2009
"2008 Texas Water Law Institute," University of Texas School of Law Presentation; Planning Committee, December 3, 2008
"CCNs: In and Out," Changing Face of Water Rights in Texas Presentation, Texas Bar, May 8-9, 2008
"Economic Development Tools," Heart of Texas Council of Governments (Hillsboro), March 13, 2008
"Public Improvement Districts (PIDs): The latest public/private partnership tool used to fund water, sewer, road and drainage infrastructure," Texas Bar CLE Presentation, March 7, 2008
"Water Rights Sales and Transfers in Texas," Lorman Fort Worth Water Rights Presentation, March 24, 2006
"Hot Topics in Economic Development," 2006 Land Use Conference, April 6, 2006
"Economic Development Tools," 2005 Texas APA Conference, October 6, 2005
"2005 Land Use Seminar," Fort Worth Presentation, September 9, 2005
"Drainage Liability," Dallas City Attorneys Presentation, June 17, 2005
"Hot Topics – Land Use Regulation in Texas," Stewart Title Breakfast Series Presentation, April 26, 2005
"Drainage Liability," Wallenstein Breakfast Presentation, March 9, 2005
"2004 Drainage Liability and Case Law Update," Halff & Associates (Fort Worth) Presentation, December 6, 2004
"Drainage Liability and Case Law Update," Kimley-Horn Presentation, October 19, 2004
"Drainage Liability," Carter & Burgess Presentation, September 15, 2004
"The Inlets and Outfalls of Drainage Liability," Carter Burgess Presentation, September 1, 2004
"Water Rights - Public and Private Concerns Impacting Real Estate Transactions," presented to Commercial Real Estate Women's Commercial Real Estate Update, April 1, 2004
"Conveyance of Water Rights," presented to the 14th Annual Advanced Real Estate Drafting Course (Houston, March 7, 2003); also presented to the Denton Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section (2004) and the Dallas Bar Association Real Estate Section (2004)