Picking up on the news that Billy Coe Dyer has joined the firm, Brenda Sapino Jeffreys recently interviewed Billy and Charles McFarland for a story in Texas Lawyer magazine. The article highlights the mutual respect Billy and Charles have enjoyed since their earlier...
Standing up for Landowners. Standing up to Government.
Texas Eminent Domain Law Blog
Firm Adds Texas Condemnation Law Powerhouse Billy Coe Dyer as Partner
McFarland PLLC announces that Billy Coe Dyer has joined the firm’s Houston office as a partner. Dyer brings over 30 years of experience in condemnation and eminent domain matters to the Texas condemnation boutique. “We’re pinching ourselves,” said Charles McFarland,...
The eminent domain bar lost a legend in Gideon Kanner’s passing.
I will never forget his description of me in Gideon’s Trumpet—referring to an article I had written on the Supreme Court’s Kelo v. City of New London—as a “practicing lawyer who gives us a practitioner’s perspective on eminent domain,” a kind of double warning to his...
Owning Property Under the Shadow of Condemnation
A significant and uncompensated-for impact of large public infrastructure projects like TXDOT's IH 45 North Highway Improvement Project on private landowners is the uncertainty of if and when the project is going to move forward and the extent of its impact on one's...
McFarland PLLC Named to 2024 Best Law Firms® Rankings
November 2, 2023 - McFarland PLLC has been named a “Metropolitan Tier 1” ranked law firm in Houston in Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms® 2024 edition. The firm was selected in the category of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, its sole practice...
The Best Lawyers in America Recognizes McFarland PLLC Partner
partner Marie D. Harlan has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America 2024© in Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. Harlan is also recognized for her work in Commercial Litigation. Best...
McFarland Welcomes Attorney Clarissa Levingston
HOUSTON - Aug. 1, 2023 - McFarland PLLC announces the addition of Clarissa Levingston to the team as a condemnation attorney in the firm’s Houston office. Levingston joins McFarland with experience gained as an associate with a general litigation firm. She also served...
Why an appraisal may be key when responding to condemnation
Condemnation is the legal process through which the state forces the sale of a property because of an eminent domain claim. In Texas, it's possible for local or state authorities to begin the condemnation process if someone refuses to voluntarily sell their real...
What to Know if You Own a Business Along the I-45 Expansion
More than 7,000 TxDOT projects are currently active or expected to begin this year with about $12.4 billion (with a “B”) in state infrastructure spending earmarked for Houston. We’ve been hearing from landowners and businesses located along I-45 with fears of...
Do Texas churches have special protection from eminent domain?
Faith-based congregations might set aside donations from church members and local businesses for many months to save enough money to purchase real property. It may even take years to move into a church-owned space. Having a facility owned by the church opens up many...