Charles Black McFarland

Charles McFarland has extensive experience representing property owners whose private property has been taken by the government for public use. His primary area of practice focuses on highway and roadway widening projects that impact retail, commercial, industrial and special use properties. He also has successfully represented clients affected by pipelines, electric transmission lines, flood control, and other public-use projects.

An honors graduate of both the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas School of Law, Charles was a partner at Vinson & Elkins before forming McFarland PLLC, a boutique law firm focusing exclusively on condemnation and eminent domain litigation. In his 20+-year career, Charles has obtained successful jury verdicts, judgments, and awards in counties across the State of Texas. He has additionally handled appeals of condemnation cases in the First, Fourth, Sixth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Courts of Appeal and in the Texas Supreme Court.

Charles became board certified in Civil Trial Law trying condemnation cases and has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the publications Best Lawyers in America and by Texas Super Lawyers for his expertise in the areas of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. He additionally holds the AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest possible 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. Candidates for membership in Owners’ Counsel are thoroughly vetted based upon their ability, experience, results, and dedication to representing private property owners in eminent domain. Membership is by invitation-only and restricted to one attorney from each state across the country.

University of Texas School of Law

1995

J.D. with honors, Order of the Coif

University of Texas

1991

B.A. with honors, Plan II

Partner

Vinson & Elkins LLP

Current

Civil Trial Law

Texas State Bar

American Bar Association

Member

Current

University of Texas School of Law

Keeton Fellow

Current

Texas Bar Foundation

Fellow

Current

Houston Bar Association

Member

Current

Houston Bar Foundation

Member

Current

Texas

Since 1995

• Condemnation and Land Use
• Regulatory Takings
• Inverse Condemnation
• Special Commissioners' Hearings and Administrative Hearings