Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP is pleased to announce the promotion of J. Stuart Chaney to partner at the firm, effective January 1, 2026. Stu’s elevation reflects his long-standing commitment to the firm and his dedicated representation of Texas landowners in eminent domain and condemnation matters.
As a leading advocate for property owners in condemnation disputes throughout Texas, Stu’s work in eminent domain law has been recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch (2024–2026), Super Lawyers: Rising Stars (2024–2025), and Lawdragon’s “The Next Generation of 500 Leading Lawyers in America” (2023).
Stu first joined the firm in 2012 as an intern before attending the University of Kansas School of Law. Following law school, Stu returned to the firm as an attorney in 2017. Over the course of his career, Stu has defended hundreds of landowners against takings by the State, counties, municipalities, and private condemning authorities, including pipeline, oil and gas, and electric transmission companies. He has represented clients through all stages of eminent domain proceedings, including Special Commissioners’ hearings, substantive court hearings, mediations, and jury trials.
During his time at the firm, Stu has served as trial counsel in significant condemnation cases, including a 2023 Caldwell County jury trial in which he and Luke Ellis secured a $2.368 million verdict on behalf of their landowner client in a waterline easement taking case—exceeding the condemning entity’s valuation at trial by more than 19x and reflecting the firm’s continued success in the courtroom.
Stu is a frequent speaker and author on eminent domain and property rights issues, serving as a guest lecturer at the University of Texas School of Law and regularly presenting on the topic of eminent domain at Continuing Legal Education events and landowner townhalls. Stu is admitted to practice in Texas, is a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and is a member of the Austin Bar Association, where he currently serves on the Board of the Real Estate Section (2025-present), as well as the Austin Young Lawyers Association.
Please join us in congratulating Stu on his promotion to partner.