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Representative Bio

Jim Popp is Managing Partner of Popp Hutcheson and leader of the legislative affairs team.

Jim entered private practice in 1983 and has had a significant impact on the practice of property tax representation for taxpayers throughout Texas. He was the first to provide start to finish representation including legislative, administrative, litigation and appellate representation which has greatly improved the quality and efficiency of representation for his clients.

He has drafted numerous items of legislation (including over 75 changes to the Tax Code in the last three sessions) which have significantly improved taxpayer’s rights and remedies and resulted in immeasurable benefits to taxpayers.

Perhaps the most significant and for which he is well known is his 1997 amendment adding the equal and uniform remedy to the Tax Code. Other significant provisions include the new equal and uniform remedy statute, truth-in-taxation provisions, rendition provisions, taxpayer rights before the ARB, and the attorney’s fee statute.

Jim started his property tax career in 1979 as Counsel to the Ways and Means Committee of the Texas House of Representatives when the legislature passed the new Property Tax Code. He then served with the Office of General Counsel of the State Property Tax Board during the implementation period of the Property Tax Code.

He continues to be a constant advocate of taxpayer rights at the Legislature and is the founder of the property tax advocacy PAC, the Tax Equity Council. Jim is the exclusive Texas member of the American Property Tax Counsel (APTC) which is a nationwide invitation only affiliation of property tax law firms consisting of 30 property tax law firms and over 100 property tax lawyers.

Jim received B.A. with Honors, M.P.A. (LBJ School) and J.D. degrees from the University of Texas. Jim is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

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Representative Bio

Mark Hutcheson is a Managing Principal and leads the Case Resolution Team of Popp Hutcheson.

Mark is an active member of the Institute of Professionals in Taxation (IPT), and was one of the first attorneys to achieve the CMI designation. He serves on the IPT Property Tax Advanced Academy, and IPT's CMI Designation Committee.

Prior to joining Popp Hutcheson, Mark gained trial and governmental relations experience as an associate with the Austin office of Baker Botts. During his tenure at Baker Botts, the majority of his practice was devoted to complex civil litigation, representing publicly-held corporations, energy companies, and other businesses in a variety of commercial disputes. The remainder of Mark's practice involved lobbying activities before the Texas Legislature on behalf of several businesses and organizations, including the Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals.

Mark served as a legislative assistant to former Speaker Gib Lewis and Representative Bob Glaze in the Texas House of Representatives, and was an aide to Congressman Pete Geren in the United States Congress.

Mark received a B.A. from the University of Texas in 1992, and graduated magna cum laude from Baylor Law School in 1996. While in law school, Mark participated in a variety of trial and appellate advocacy competitions and served as Managing Editor of the Baylor Law Review.

Mark is admitted to practice in Texas and before the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas. He is member of the Travis County Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas. Mark also proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps.

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Representative Bio

Gilbert Davila is a Principal, and provides a wide range of service to his clients, including advocacy at administrative hearings (ARB's) as well as litigation negotiation and settlement. His current area of concentration is multi-family and low-income housing properties, as well as representing shopping centers, office buildings, mini-storage facilities and freestanding retail.

Gilbert received his B.A. from Rice University in 1994. At Rice, Gilbert double majored in English and Managerial Studies and was on the President's Honor Roll. Gilbert received his J.D. from the University of Texas, where he was an active member of the Student Recruitment Committee, Hispanic Law Student's Association and Research Editor for the Hispanic Law Journal.

Gilbert joined Popp & Hutcheson in 1998 and has become a frequent speaker at professional seminars and conferences. Gilbert also instructs various property tax law courses across the state and is a frequent author of property tax related articles which have been featured in numerous national publications including National Real Estate Investor, Apartment Finance Today and Affordable Housing Finance.

Gilbert is a Registered Senior Property Tax Consultant in Texas and is a member of the Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals, and several bar associations. Gilbert was named a 2006 Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star.

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Representative Bio

Darlene Sullivan is active in the firm's case management, with a heavy emphasis on negotiation and settlement. She has represented a broad range of properties, and her current area of practice includes both real and personal properties with an emphasis on retail centers and manufacturing sites. In 2006, Darlene was named a 2006 Texas Super Lawyer Rising Star.

Darlene attended Duke University as an undergraduate student and received her BA in History with Honors in 1998. Darlene received her legal education at The University of Texas School of Law and was awarded her JD in 2001. While in law school, Darlene was Editor-in-Chief of the Texas Review of Entertainment and Sports Law.

Darlene is a frequent speaker at tax industry seminars and has served as instructor of the property tax law course for the Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals. Darlene is a member of the American Property Tax Counsel, and the Institute for Professionals in Taxation.

The mother of three, Darlene is an avid college basketball fan and also spends many weekends conducting informal inspections of the retail centers she represents. In addition, Darlene enjoys cooking gourmet meals and is a volunteer of the Duke University Alumni Admissions Program which conducts interviews with prospective students. Darlene is a member of All Saint's Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas.

Four Barton Skyway
1301 S Mopac
Suite 430
Austin, TX 78746

Tel: (512) 473-2661
Fax: (512) 479-8013

website:
Popp Hutcheson PLLC

Firm Information
Popp Hutcheson PLLC, believes that in the selection of property tax representation: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS

Popp Hutcheson devotes its practice to the representation of taxpayers in the reduction of property taxes. We believe that property tax professionals should be ethical and honest in all facets of performance. We also believe we should be as well educated in valuation as in the law. We believe that better service comes through better communication with our clients.

Popp Hutcheson began in 1983, and is the largest firm of its kind in the United States. With 9 attorneys, 13 tax professionals and a terrific support staff; our goal is to provide unmatched depth of experience, passion and communication.

Popp Hutcheson is one of the few law firms that provide true full service: with "start to finish" property tax representation at the appraisal review board, the district court, the appellate courts and at the legislature. This start to finish representation is provided by a unique blend of lawyers and tax professionals.

We are well versed in appraisal theory and practice based upon experience and training, appraisal course work, and the services of an advisory MAI led appraisal firm. We have published many property tax articles which, thru peer review, and industry scrutiny, provide an indication of the depth of PGH's knowledge. We have spent untold hours drafting legislation and lobbying on behalf of property taxpayers.

These actions, which distinguish us from others, make Popp Hutcheson: The Property Tax Firm of Texas.

#Texas Property Tax