Jones Day Makes Dallas Real Estate Deals Play With Hunton Hire

August 5, 2026 - 04:02

Jones Day has strengthened its real estate bench in Dallas with the addition of Kevin Wakefield, who joined the firm as of counsel this week. Wakefield arrives from Hunton Andrews Kurth, where he spent the last several years advising clients on complex commercial property transactions across Texas and the broader Southwest.

His practice focuses on acquisitions, dispositions, and development projects, with particular experience in office, industrial, and mixed-use properties. Wakefield also handles leasing matters for both landlords and tenants, often working with institutional owners and large corporate users. The move gives Jones Day another senior lawyer in a market where real estate activity has remained steady despite higher interest rates and shifting office demand.

A spokesperson for Jones Day confirmed the hire on Tuesday, noting that Wakefield's background fits well with the firm's full-service real estate group. The Dallas office has been expanding its transactional capabilities, and this addition is seen as part of that broader push. Wakefield previously held roles at other large firms in the region, giving him deep familiarity with local zoning rules, entitlement processes, and the specific legal issues that come up in Texas property deals.

He is expected to work closely with the firm's finance and construction practices, as many of his clients need integrated advice across those areas. Jones Day has not indicated whether more hires are planned for the Dallas office, but the move signals continued investment in its Texas presence.