Mr. Gaines joined the firm in April 2026. His practice area primarily focuses on land use and real estate matters, advising his clients through the complexities of property development, easements, zoning, and land use regulations in addition to a broad range of real estate transactions. Mr. Gaines also has experience in economic development, helping clients with various economic development incentives and related matters. Mr. Gaines graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas before attending the University of Mississippi where he earned a B.A. majoring in Philosophy and Psychology. Afterward, Mr. Gaines worked in the legal section of a large engineering firm where he managed right-of-way acquisitions for clients including TxDOT. Over the next several years, Mr. Gaines worked in commercial real estate where he brokered, leased, developed, and managed investment properties across multiple asset classes. Mr. Gaines earned his J.D. from Dedman Law School at Southern Methodist University and his M.B.A. from Cox Business School at Southern Methodist University in December 2023 and was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in May 2024. Prior to joining Nichols Jackson, Mr. Gaines was a commercial litigation attorney with a boutique firm where he litigated numerous contracts, real estate, and partnership disputes. Mr. Gaines later worked as a corporate and transactional attorney with a Dallas based boutique firm where he managed M&A’s, complex real estate transactions, and general corporate maters.