Marni Zarin
Of Counsel
Areas of Focus
Contact
Marni brings over two decades of legal experience to our Real Estate Transactions team, making her an invaluable resource. She specializes in the full lifecycle of ground-up development, with expertise spanning from raw land acquisition to construction financing, equity investments through joint venture agreements, lease-up, and ultimately the sale of completed projects. Before joining Wilson Cribbs + Goren, Marni served as senior commercial underwriting counsel at First American Title. Her deep knowledge of the title industry and insight into underwriting decisions significantly enhance the value we deliver to our clients throughout the deal process.
In addition, Marni previously practiced commercial real estate law at three prominent law firms in Houston, Texas. During that time, she represented a diverse range of clients—including owners and developers in the commercial, retail, multifamily, office, industrial, and healthcare sectors, as well as lenders, landlords, and equity partners. Her work spanned across all asset types including but not limited to office, retail, and multi-family, with increasing industrial work.
Marni received her B.S. degree in architecture from M.I.T in 1998 and her J.D. from University of Texas School of Law in 2002.
In her free time, she enjoys taking dance classes such as ballet, tap, and hip hop, as well as aerial skills and Iyra classes.
Education
- B.S. in Art and Design – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1998)
- J.D., University of Texas School of Law (2002)
Certifications & Licenses
- State Bar of Texas, 2002
Professional Recognition & Affiliations
- State Bar of Texas, 2002
- Elected Fellow of ACREL, 2025
- American College of Mortgage Attorneys, Fellow, 2023-present; Mortgage Law Summary Update Committee Member, 2023
- Urban Land Institute, Member, 2014-2022, Development of Distinction Awards Committee: Chair, 2019-2020, Member, 2016-2021
- Commercial Real Estate Society of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, Member, 2012-present, Steering Committee Member, 2014-2024
- CREW Network, Member, 2010-2021
- Recognized by Law & Politics as a “Texas Rising Star,” 2011-2015
- Recognized by H Texas as a “Houston Top Lawyer”, 2018