Texas Condemnation Attorneys

A law firm focusing exclusively on helping the owners of retail, commercial, industrial, institutional, and special-use properties maximize their compensation when the government takes private property for public use.

standing up for landowners standing up to government

commercial propery

commercial property

commercial property

Retail and commercial use properties need the access and exposure to traffic afforded by highways, major thoroughfares, and heavily-traveled roadways. The same locational characteristics that make commercial properties the most valuable properties make them more susceptible to takings for roadway widening and expansions.

industrial property

industrial property

industrial property

Industrial properties often have use-specific logistical, access, and locational needs that can be overlooked in the condemning authority’s assessment of the property’s value before the taking or the taking’s impact on the site’s function, and therefore its market value, after the taking.
special use property

special use property

special use property

Special-use properties such as churches, schools, and other institutional properties present unique compensation challenges. Recognizing the use and function of these properties before the taking can be the key to ensuring that the impacts to these properties are not underestimated.

Testimonials From
Our Clients

“Charles McFarland has helped me with three different condemnation proceedings. We were very pleased with his professionalism and with the results he got.” –Beth Brown, MEBB Enterprises

“Simply put the McFarland Law Firm is the best at what they specialize in. Their knowledge, expertise, focus, analysis and negotiation of cases involving Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law provides their clients with the best representation available. I was impressed with the negotiation process from beginning to end and felt well represented. Charles McFarland handled my case as if I was a large institutional client (which I am not). Charles is the consummate professional in this area of law. I spoke with three different law firms before deciding on representation and I clearly made the right decision by choosing the McFarland Law Firm.
” –Reid Friedman, PLC Capital Corporation

“In real estate matters, we turn to McFarland for everything.” –Robert Lanham, Williams Brothers Construction Co., Inc.

“Charles McFarland exercised excellent knowledge of condemnation law, which was extremely useful in my complicated and unique case. His counsel and patience was very much appreciated.” –Jeff Lyon, Redfish Island, Inc.

“My condemnation case involved a very unique property, which posed difficult hurdles in the Texas condemnation process. Charles McFarland helped navigate each of these frustratin hurdles with a successful outcome.” –Jeff L

“Charles McFarland exercised excellent knowledge of condemnation law, which was extremely useful in my complicated and unique case. His counsel and patience was very much appreciated.”

“Charles McFarland is the best.” – Syed B.

“Great working with the McFarland firm, especially Laura Manion. They were very knowledgeable, responsive and accessible. The outcome was amazing.” – Barbara R.

“Charles McFarland represented us and advised us competently in a condemnation proceeding. He achieved a significantly higher award for the condemnation than initially awarded. Charles responded timely, gave competent advice and was attuned to our concerns and objectives. I would highly recommend Charles McFarland for any condemnation proceeding in the State of Texas.” – Laura T.
“He is a first class lawyer. I have been in the real estate business for 37 years. Charles McFarland has handled two condemnation proceedings for me and he is thoughtful, cerebral and talented.”
“Charles and the lawyers at McFarland are extremely smart and thorough. Glad to have both Charles and Laura in our corner when we need them. We have used the firm twice and were pleased both times.”
“McFarland is bold, creative and best in this space.”
“I’ve had an outstanding experience working with McFarland’s vast knowledge of condemnation proceedings.” – Frank M.
“McFarland is one of the best law firms I have ever had the pleasure to work alongside.” – Steve M.
“We have worked with Charles MacFarland for the past 3-4 years on TxDOT condemnation cases with multiple land owners. I have always trusted Charles’s experience and recommendations. Charles is a very knowledgeable attorney in this area of expertise and is also a very rational person.”
“McFARLAND did a great job taking care of us.” – Ed M.
“Mr. McFarland has taken the time to understand what he is representing.”
“Charles McFarland does a wonderful job. He really knows condemnation law and gets great results for his clients!”
“McFARLAND is the absolute best in the field. They excel in their work because they specialize in their areas of expertise. You know you are in good hands right from the start. The level of attention to the client and the presentation of information necessary to make an informed decision are outstanding. I would never use anyone else.”
“McFarland in our estimation is the best at his specialty. No one else handles this business line for us.”
“Charles is a pleasure to work with. He is to the point, patient and always willing to explain every step of the process to us. We have worked with Charles for the past 5 years on multiple TxDOT condemnations and he has faithfully taken us through the process with great success.” – Joanne S.
“McFarland has excellent and astute attorneys and substantive advisers. Insightful management and approach to my difficult and lengthy case was very factual and yet reassuring. Bases on my three years of experience with Mr. Charles B. MacFarland, I would highly recommend him.” – Massoud R.

“Charles McFarland does an excellent job evaluating the impact of a taking and developing the appropriate strategy for the circumstances, from negotiated resolution to trial. He is organized, responsive, and innovative in his approach to valuation and related legal issues. In one particularly contentious matter, his trial presentation was outstanding, resulting in a verdict for 100% of the requested compensation in 30 minutes.” 

“McFarland is recognized in industry circles as the BEST at eminent domain and condemnation law. They are our attorney of choice in ANY and ALL property related matters.”

“Great expertise, and we received a great result. I would definitely hire them again”

“Excellent service and expertise. They are the leaders in this field. I have watched them educate lawyers on the other side!” 

“Charles McFarland has helped me with three different condemnation proceedings. We were very pleased with his professionalism and with the results he got.” –Beth Brown, MEBB Enterprises

“Simply put the McFarland Law Firm is the best at what they specialize in. Their knowledge, expertise, focus, analysis and negotiation of cases involving Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law provides their clients with the best representation available. I was impressed with the negotiation process from beginning to end and felt well represented. Charles McFarland handled my case as if I was a large institutional client (which I am not). Charles is the consummate professional in this area of law. I spoke with three different law firms before deciding on representation and I clearly made the right decision by choosing the McFarland Law Firm.
” –Reid Friedman, PLC Capital Corporation

“In real estate matters, we turn to McFarland for everything.” –Robert Lanham, Williams Brothers Construction Co., Inc.

“Charles McFarland exercised excellent knowledge of condemnation law, which was extremely useful in my complicated and unique case. His counsel and patience was very much appreciated.” –Jeff Lyon, Redfish Island, Inc.

“My condemnation case involved a very unique property, which posed difficult hurdles in the Texas condemnation process. Charles McFarland helped navigate each of these frustratin hurdles with a successful outcome.” –Jeff L

“Charles McFarland exercised excellent knowledge of condemnation law, which was extremely useful in my complicated and unique case. His counsel and patience was very much appreciated.”

“Charles McFarland is the best.” – Syed B.

“Great working with the McFarland firm, especially Laura Manion. They were very knowledgeable, responsive and accessible. The outcome was amazing.” – Barbara R.

“Charles McFarland represented us and advised us competently in a condemnation proceeding. He achieved a significantly higher award for the condemnation than initially awarded. Charles responded timely, gave competent advice and was attuned to our concerns and objectives. I would highly recommend Charles McFarland for any condemnation proceeding in the State of Texas.” – Laura T.
“He is a first class lawyer. I have been in the real estate business for 37 years. Charles McFarland has handled two condemnation proceedings for me and he is thoughtful, cerebral and talented.”
“Charles and the lawyers at McFarland are extremely smart and thorough. Glad to have both Charles and Laura in our corner when we need them. We have used the firm twice and were pleased both times.”
“McFarland is bold, creative and best in this space.”
“I’ve had an outstanding experience working with McFarland’s vast knowledge of condemnation proceedings.” – Frank M.
“McFarland is one of the best law firms I have ever had the pleasure to work alongside.” – Steve M.
“We have worked with Charles MacFarland for the past 3-4 years on TxDOT condemnation cases with multiple land owners. I have always trusted Charles’s experience and recommendations. Charles is a very knowledgeable attorney in this area of expertise and is also a very rational person.”
“McFARLAND did a great job taking care of us.” – Ed M.
“Mr. McFarland has taken the time to understand what he is representing.”
“Charles McFarland does a wonderful job. He really knows condemnation law and gets great results for his clients!”
“McFARLAND is the absolute best in the field. They excel in their work because they specialize in their areas of expertise. You know you are in good hands right from the start. The level of attention to the client and the presentation of information necessary to make an informed decision are outstanding. I would never use anyone else.”
“McFarland in our estimation is the best at his specialty. No one else handles this business line for us.”
“Charles is a pleasure to work with. He is to the point, patient and always willing to explain every step of the process to us. We have worked with Charles for the past 5 years on multiple TxDOT condemnations and he has faithfully taken us through the process with great success.” – Joanne S.
“McFarland has excellent and astute attorneys and substantive advisers. Insightful management and approach to my difficult and lengthy case was very factual and yet reassuring. Bases on my three years of experience with Mr. Charles B. MacFarland, I would highly recommend him.” – Massoud R.

“Charles McFarland does an excellent job evaluating the impact of a taking and developing the appropriate strategy for the circumstances, from negotiated resolution to trial. He is organized, responsive, and innovative in his approach to valuation and related legal issues. In one particularly contentious matter, his trial presentation was outstanding, resulting in a verdict for 100% of the requested compensation in 30 minutes.” 

“McFarland is recognized in industry circles as the BEST at eminent domain and condemnation law. They are our attorney of choice in ANY and ALL property related matters.”

“Great expertise, and we received a great result. I would definitely hire them again”

“Excellent service and expertise. They are the leaders in this field. I have watched them educate lawyers on the other side!” 

Representing Texas Property Owners
In Eminent Domain/Condemnation Cases

Interior of the firm's conference room
The firm's attorneys sitting at the conference table

It’s your property. Whether you acquired it to develop, hold as an investment, or operate your business, you have it for a reason. No one cares more about it than you. So, when the State or some other governmental or public-use entity threatens to take your property, or even a portion of it, it can seem overwhelming. They have this incredible power, the right to take your property, and you don’t get a lot of say. They control how much they will take and when they will take it.

But when it comes to how much they have to pay, you do get a say. You have the right to contest their offer and recover full compensation not only for the market value of what they are taking but also the decreased market value of what you are left with after the taking.

We can help. At McFarland PLLC, we have a proven process for representing property owners in maximizing their recoveries for the taking of private property for highway, roadway, and other public infrastructure projects that impact retail, commercial, industrial, and special-use properties. It’s all we do, and we’re pretty good at it.

We have obtained successful jury verdicts, judgments, and awards in counties across the state of Texas over the past two decades.

View of downtown skyscrapers from the firm's boardroom
Two attorneys sitting at conference table

Why McFarland?

exclusive focus

Did we mention that we are focused? Our lawyers have successfully fought the State and governmental and public-use entities taking our clients’ private property all over the State of Texas.

board certification

The Texas Board of Legal Specialization grants certification to a limited number of attorneys showing the relevant knowledge and expertise in various areas of the law. Unique in the State of Texas, Charles McFarland earned board certification in Civil Trial Law by trying condemnation cases. Our skill and experience in trying cases not only maximizes our clients’ recoveries in the courtroom, it helps us resolve many cases without necessity of trial, saving our clients expenses and increasing their net recovery. An attorney who can win in the courtroom achieves better results outside of the courtroom.

guaranteed results

McFarland has obtained more jury verdicts on its property owner clients’ estimate amount of compensation than any other condemnation lawyer, including one of the largest jury verdicts ever against the State of Texas. We have a proven process that yields guaranteed results. If we aren’t able to achieve an increase in the compensation owed, we are not owed a fee. We put our clients in the best position possible for the best outcome achievable.

respected authority

Our condemnation lawyers are frequent speakers and panelists on the topic of eminent domain and condemnation litigation. Charles McFarland is a contributing author to the American Bar Association, the American Law Institute, and other prominent publications.

what our peers say

For ten years, Charles McFarland has been recognized in the top lawyer peer review publications in the country, Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers, including Best Lawyers’s 2020 Lawyer of the Year for Eminent Domain Law. He holds Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer-review rating* for ethical standards and legal ability and serves as the Texas representative to the Owners’ Counsel of America, a network of the nation’s leading eminent domain and property rights attorneys.

what our clients have done

Thanks to our clients, McFarland PLLC has been recognized in U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America in their “Best Law Firms” rankings for Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law for the Houston metropolitan area for five years straight.

what our clients say

“I’ve had an outstanding experience working with McFarland’s vast knowledge of condemnation proceedings.”
“McFarland is one of the best law firms I have ever had the pleasure to work alongside.”