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The Law Offices of Alan Abergel, P.C. ("LOAA") represents real estate professionals and real estate service companies in Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) administrative enforcement matters, compliance counseling, and regulatory proceedings. With a focus on real estate license defense, LOAA works to protect the careers and livelihoods of licensed professionals facing disciplinary actions or regulatory complaints.
Attorney Alan Abergel is licensed by both the State Bar of Texas and the State Bar of California. LOAA also provides California Department of Real Estate (DRE) enforcement defense services.
The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is the state agency responsible for licensing, regulating, and enforcing laws governing real estate professionals in Texas. TREC regulates and oversees:
Real estate brokers and salespersons
Real estate inspectors
Real estate appraisers
Education providers for real estate and inspection courses
Residential service companies
Timeshare developers
Easement or Right-of-Way (ERW) agents
TREC has authority to investigate complaints, conduct disciplinary proceedings, and impose administrative sanctions.
An attorney representing a licensee in a TREC enforcement case must have deep substantive knowledge of:
Texas Real Estate License Act and TREC rules
Real estate regulatory compliance requirements
Related federal and state consumer protection laws
Mortgage and lending regulations impacting real estate professionals
A general administrative attorney defending unrelated license types is unlikely to regularly practice TREC compliance and real estate regulatory law. Procedural familiarity with administrative hearings is only one component of effective representation. Substantive regulatory expertise is critical.
LOAA practices real estate regulatory compliance and administrative enforcement defense for TREC licensees and real estate service providers.
TREC’s Enforcement Division investigates complaints and brings enforcement actions to ensure compliance with Texas law. Enforcement actions may include:
Administrative penalties and fines
License suspension or revocation
Restitution orders
Injunctions
Other regulatory sanctions
Contested case hearings are conducted before an Administrative Law Judge at the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) under the SOAH Rules of Procedure.
LOAA provides legal services to real estate professionals and regulated entities, including:
Representation in TREC investigations and administrative hearings
Representation in appeals of TREC final orders to the Travis County District Court
Compliance counseling for TREC licensees and prospective license applicants
Representation of real estate agents, brokers, and service providers in civil litigation related to licensing issues
Defense of allegations of operating without a required real estate license
Legal Opinions: LOAA provides legal opinions to individuals and businesses that need a legal analysis of whether their activities require a TREC license and which one and under which classification. These opinions involve a detailed examination of the services provided, the compensation structure, the relationship between the service provider and the customer, and the specific statutory definitions and exemptions. A well-reasoned legal opinion provides the client with a documented basis for its compliance position and can serve as evidence of good faith in the event of a future Texas TREC inquiry about whether the client's activities constitute unlicensed practice.
LOAA advises real estate professionals and companies on compliance with:
Texas Real Estate License Act
Texas Administrative Code TREC rules
State and federal consumer protection laws
Advertising, disclosure, and professional conduct requirements
Texas TREC License Defense Lawyer
Real Estate License Defense
Texas Real Estate License Enforcement Defense Attorney
Real Estate Broker and Agent Defense Lawyer
Texas Real Estate Compliance Lawyer
SOAH Administrative Hearing Defense Attorney
LOAA provides administrative defense, civil litigation, regulatory compliance, and transactional legal services for real estate professionals and regulated businesses.
No criminal defense services are provided.
LOAA does not represent consumers in TREC proceedings. LOAA represents licensees, real estate service providers, and persons accused of operating without a license.
“I engaged Alan to help me through the complexities of obtaining my Lenders License. He was very knowledgeable about the process and provided me with a high level of service. I worked quickly getting him all the information needed and he worked at my pace. He was responsive to e-mails and questions and followed up with the DFPI to make sure everything was filed correctly. I had read online that this process could take as long as 6 months however Alan completed the assignment in less than 3 I will be retaining his services in the future to ensure my company remains in compliance."
--Petroleum Realty Group Inc.
"I hired Alan to represent me as a mortgage broker before the California Department of Real Estate. I couldn't be more pleased with Alan's services from start to finish. Alan was clear and concise. Alan's communication throughout the process was professional. I received the results I hoped for. Thank you Alan. I'll definitely recommend you to ALL and use your services again in the future shall I need anything!"
-Anonymous
"Very helpful in assisting in obtaining an OCCC Texas Motor Vehicle Sales Finance License. Very knowledgeable in answering all questions the OCCC asked for on their questionnaire. Highly recommended and would re-hire for any future assistance regarding motor vehicle and finance business. God Bless!"
-Raul
