News

Emma Whitford, with Law360, wrote a terrific article related to Texas eminent domain entitled “3 Real Estate Cases to Watch in 2022.” As part of the 3 real estate cases to watch in 2022, she includes Texas Central Railroad & Infrastructure Inc. et al. v. James Fredrick Miles. Here is the article:

https://www.law360.com/articles/1449498/3-real-estate-cases-to-watch-in-2022

The Texas Supreme Court granted a Petition for Review on whether the Texas Central Railroad is a “railroad” and whether it qualifies as public use. The case is currently set for oral argument on January 11th. Here is link to the setting:

https://search.txcourts.gov/SearchMedia.aspx?MediaVersionID=5c39c357-1b3e-4eeb-a2b9-4864c206970d&coa=cossup&DT=SUBMISSION%20SET&MediaID=b14b29a9-8f88-432f-a6b2-fb591c8cf7fe

Justin Hodge of Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP, who represents Texas landowners, is quoted in the Law360 article saying, “a win for the developers [Texas Central] would inevitably kick off a second contentious phase of litigation, in which owners seek just compensation for the takeover of their land. Phase two will go on for years and years and years to come.”

If Texas Central is allowed to proceed with condemnation using the power of eminent domain, then Texas landowners should fight for just compensation, including damages caused by the train to their remaining land.