Commissioner George P. Bush counsels business interests, public entities, and individuals alike on a range of complex matters that impact their growth prospects. His legal practice includes transactions in oil and gas, renewables, and commercial real estate; corporate governance and securities law; investment fund formation and compliance; administrative law, public-private partnerships, and economic development. Commissioner Bush advises private investment funds and operating companies on the implications of federal and state-level policy decisions coupled with market guidance to assist investment and business strategy.
Before joining Michael Best, Bush served as the 28th Land Commissioner for the State of Texas where he led the largest housing recovery in state history in response to Hurricane Harvey, helping more than 60,000 victims rebuild their homes and their lives. During his tenure, he worked to ensure Texas’ 1.8 million veterans received the benefits they earned and prioritized conserving the hallowed grounds of the Alamo—the state’s most visited and cherished site of freedom. As Chairman of the $8.6 billion Permanent School Fund, Bush helped to generate record revenues for K-12 education through innovative administration and implemented prudent stewardship measures over 13 million acres of state lands and natural resources.
Prior to his election to statewide office, Bush co-founded and served as general counsel for a Texas-based private equity fund and practiced corporate and securities law with a national law firm in Dallas. He clerked for U.S. District Judge Sidney A. Fitzwater after earning his Juris Doctorate at The University of Texas School of Law. Bush proudly served his nation as an Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves for a decade. Among his military decorations, Commissioner Bush was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal for his meritorious service; he also received the Afghanistan Campaign Medal and earned the Intel Warfare Designator pin.