Eminent Domain and Condemnation

Nordhaus Walpole, PLLC is committed to helping landowners across Texas obtain adequate compensation for their land.

All Federal, State, and local governments have the power of eminent domain. This means a government entity can take a citizen's land as long as it has a necessary and legitimate public use for the land. Likewise, certain private entities have been granted the power of eminent domain because that entity provides a service that affects the welfare of the public. Examples include: power/telephone companies and water and gas pipeline companies. The legal process used by the government to take land in this manner is called Condemnation.

The 5^th Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees its citizens be paid adequate compensation when the government or a private company with the power of eminent domain seeks to take that citizen's land for public use. Likewise, the Texas Constitution also provides this same guarantee to its citizens.

Russ Baker is dedicated to helping Texas landowners protect their constitutional right to adequate compensation when a government entity takes land through its power of eminent domain. He stands ready to protect your rights and fight to get the compensation you deserve for your land. Mr. Baker's experience with the Condemnation process and his trial experience make him uniquely suited to effectively and competently represent landowners in condemnation proceedings.

Mr. Baker meets with clients regularly at his primary office in McKinney, Texas. However, he is also willing to come to you to discuss your case and evaluate the piece of property you are working hard to protect. Mr. Baker's willingness to travel across Texas in order to meet with potential clients is due to the fact that he believes an attorney representing a landowner should always visit and inspect the piece of property being subjected to condemnation proceedings.

Call Russ Baker at 214.726.1450 or contact him by email to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and your rights.

RIGHTS OF THE LANDOWNER FACING CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS

In Texas, a government entity or utility company with the power of eminent domain must engage in good faith negotiations with the landowner before the entity is legally permitted to file a lawsuit seeking to condemn the desired land. There are specific rules the government must follow when negotiating with landowners. If these rules are not followed, it may be possible for an attorney to get the government's lawsuit dismissed.

For example, the government must provide the landowner with a copy of the “Landowner's Bill of Rights” the first time the government contacts the landowner. This document should be reviewed carefully by the landowner because it explains the basic conceptual rights landowners have when dealing with an entity seeking to condemn his or her property.

Click to read the Landowner's Bill of Rights.

To learn more about your rights as a landowner and the legal process of Eminent Domain and Condemnation in Texas, please visit either of Mr. Baker's websites below:

• http://www.texaseminentdomainlaw.com/
• http://www.texascondemnationlaw.com/

Russ Baker is not certified by the Texas Legal Board of Specialization.

The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute and attorney/client relationship.

Nordhaus Walpole, PLLC handles eminent domain cases in the following cities and counties:

Alpine, Amarillo, Austin, Bastrop, Beaumont, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Eldorado, El Paso, Fort Worth, Frisco, Galveston, Georgetown, Houston, Irving, Junction, Laredo, Lubbock, Marble Falls, Mason,  Melissa, McAllen, McKinney, Midland, Nacogdoches, Odessa, Paris, Plano, San Angelo, San Antonio, Sugarland, Temple, Texarkana, Tyler, Wichita Falls.

Armstrong, Bell, Bexar, Bosque, Brazoria, Brazos, Cherokee, Collin, Comanche, Cooke, Crane, Crockett, Edwards, Erath, Ellis, Gillespie, Grayson, Hamilton, Harris, Hays, Hill, Hunt, Irion, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Kaufman, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lamar, Liberty, Llano, Menard, McLennan, Montgomery, Navarro, Palo Pinto, Pecos, Potter, Reagan, Reeves, Rockwall, San Saba, Schleicher, Sutton, Tarrant, Tom Green, Travis, Upton, Ward, Williamson, and all other counties in the Texas Hill Country, Central Texas, West Texas, North Texas, East Texas and South Texas. 

Nordhaus Walpole, PLLC also handles transmission line cases instigated by the Lower Colorado River Authority also known as the LCRA, and ONCOR.