Practice Areas: Eminent Domain
Licensed in Texas since: 2003
Education: The University of Texas School of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2006 - 2009, 2012 - 2015 Call today:
512-265-6474
Free Consultation Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP
809 W 12th StAustin, TX 78701 Visit website
Details
Attorney Luke Ellis is a partner with the Marrs Ellis & Hodge LLP law firm, which has law offices in Austin and Houston, Texas. A top-rated and award-winning trial lawyer with more than 19 years of legal experience, Mr. Ellis focuses his practice on eminent domain, and he provides unmatched advocacy and support to clients across the state who have had their land taken or are under threat of having their land taken by the government or other condemnation authorities.
Over the course of his legal career, Mr. Ellis has successfully handled all stages of litigation involving eminent domain matters, and he remains fully committed to doing whatever is necessary to protect his clients' rights while helping them achieve the positive outcomes they seek as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible.
From his efforts, he has obtained numerous favorable jury verdicts and settlements for his clients against some of the largest energy providers and government entities.
A leader in his field, Mr. Ellis has published numerous articles and conducted lectures and continuing legal education seminars across his region on a variety of topics related to eminent domain, and he currently teaches as an adjunct law professor on eminent domain at the University of Texas School of Law. He also lobbies before the state legislature on eminent domain reform.
Honored for his outstanding professionalism and service, Mr. Ellis has earned designation as one of the top eminent domain lawyers in the state, and the Austin Bar Association voted him Austin's Outstanding Young Lawyer in 2009. He also won the Austin Under 40 Award as well as Austin United Way's 2007 Young Professional of the Year.
A 1997 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Mr. Ellis obtained his Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 2002. He holds his license to practice in New York as well as Texas, and he is admitted to practice before all U.S. District Courts in Texas.
Mr. Ellis is also an active member of several local, state and national legal organizations, and he supports his local community through his involvement with Austin Parks Foundation and other civic and charitable organizations in his area.
Practice areas
Eminent Domain- 100% Eminent Domain
First Admitted: 2002, New York
Professional Webpage: https://mehlaw.com/attorneys/luke-ellis/
- Board of Directors, Austin Parks Foundation (2020-Present)
- Founding member, former chair, and advisory board member of Austin Habitat Young Professionals
- Board of Directors for Austin Habitat for Humanity (2006-2012)
- “Landownership as a Keystone Right: Eminent domain and easements,” San Antonio Bar Association-Natural Resources Section Luncheon, San Antonio, January 9, 2014
- Lecturer, CLE International – Texas Eminent Domain Conference (2007 & 2008)
- “Eminent Domain 101—The Nuts and Bolts of How the Condemnation Process Works,” Flick Commercial Real Estate Report, Sept.–Oct. 2007
- “Landownership as a Keystone Right: Five Issues in Condemnations for Pipeline Easements,” co-authored with Justin Hodge, 39th Annual Ernest E. Smith Oil, Gas and Mineral Law Conference, Houston, March 2013
- “Texas Condemnation The Good and The Bad: From the Landowner’s Perspective,” 12th Annual Policy Orientation for Texas Legislature, Austin, January 9, 2014
- Texas Legislature — Testimony In Support of S.B. 474 (March 9, 2015) Find testimony for SB 474 here. (Testimony on SB 474 begins at the 19:45 minute mark)
- “Land Ownership as a Keystone Right: Five issues in Condemnations for Pipeline Easements,” co-presented with Justin Hodge, Dallas Bar Association Luncheon, Dallas, June 18, 2013
- “Property Rights and Eminent Domain,” Glen Rose, May 24, 2014
- “Property Rights and Eminent Domain,” Hood County Bar Association Luncheon, Granbury, May 23, 2014
- “The Fundamentals of Eminent Domain,” Hidalgo County Bar Association Luncheon, July 2, 2014
- “Legal Issues for Texas Civil Engineers – Eminent Domain and Condemnation,” Austin Civil Engineers Presentation, August 13, 2014
- “High Voltage Power Lines and Eminent Domain From the Landowner’s Perspective,” Hill Country Alliance Workshop, Fredericksburg, September 6, 2014
- “TRWD Water Pipelines and Eminent Domain,” Mansfield, December 16, 2014
- “Rio Grande Valley—The Fundamentals of Eminent Domain,” McAllen, January 6, 2015
- “STEC Electric Powerlines—The Fundamentals of Eminent Domain,” Cotulla, January 7, 2015
- “Texas Condemnation: Problems and Solutions From the Property Owner’s Perspective,” 13th Annual Policy Orientation for Texas Legislature, Austin, January 8, 2015
- “Commercial Real Estate and Texas Condemnation: Legislative Reform Efforts” – Austin Commercial Real Estate Society (ACRES), September 13, 2017 (Austin, Texas)
- “Texas Pipeline Easement Condemnations – Issues to Consider,” PUG Permian Basin Oil & Gas Conference, Fort Worth, May 19, 2015
- “Property Owner and Land Rights Conference,” College Station, May 9, 2015
- “Eminent Domain – High-Speed Rail & Centerpoint Power Line,” hosted by the Waller County Advocacy Group, January 13, 2016
- “High-Speed Rail & Centerpoint Power Line – Right to Take and Valuation Challenges in a Texas Eminent Domain Case,” hosted by the Waller County Advocacy Group, February 27, 2016
- “Texas Eminent Domain Legislative Reform Initiatives” – Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Public Policy Conference, September 29, 2016 (Austin, Texas).
- “Texas Eminent Domain Legislative Reform Initiatives” – town hall hosted by Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, November 15, 2016 (Bastrop, Texas).
- “Texas Condemnation of Commercial / Retail Properties: Legislative Reform Initiatives”– Central Texas International Right of Way Association (IRWA), November 7, 2016 (Austin, Texas)
- “Evaluating Risk in Highway Condemnation Takings — the Little Elm case” — Texas Condemnation & Eminent Domain Super Conference, February 9, 2017 (Austin, Texas)
- “Texas Eminent Domain & Condemnation” – Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Annual Conference, April 1, 2017 (San Antonio, Texas)
- “Recent Developments in Texas Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law” – Texas Agricultural Law Conference, May 25, 2017 (Lubbock, Texas)
- “Texas Eminent Domain and Condemnation – Roadways, Pipeline & Utility Easement Conference” – hosted by the Williamson/Milam County Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office, September 7, 2017 (Georgetown, Texas)
- “Texas Eminent Domain Legislative Reform – Summary of 2017 Legislative Session” – International Right of Way Association (IRWA), September 8, 2017 (San Marcos, Texas)
- Pipeline Condemnation, June 14, 2018 (Joppa, Texas)
- “Inverse Condemnation Claims Against Army Corp of Engineers/U.S. Government Due to Intentional Release of Hurricane Harvey Floodwaters” – September 13, 2017 (Houston, Texas)
- “Texas Eminent Domain & Condemnation: Strategies and Solutions for Property Owners” – hosted by the Texas Land Conservancy and Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, September 29, 2017 (Fort Worth, Texas)
- “Inverse Condemnation Claims Against Army Corp of Engineers/U.S. Government Due to Intentional Release of Hurricane Harvey Floodwaters” – Town Hall Meeting, October 4, 2017 (Houston, Texas)
- “The Border Wall and Federal Eminent Domain Power”, Presentation to Laredo Bar Association, October 20, 2017
- “Eminent Domain & Condemnation: Valuation Issues for Shopping Center, Retail, and Commercial Use Properties” – International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), October 27, 2017
- B.A., Political Science, University of Texas at Austin, 1997 (with honors)
- Law Clerk on Texas Supreme Court, 2002
- J.D., The University of Texas School of Law, 2002 (with honors); member of Texas Law Review
- Texas Super Lawyers – Condemnation and Eminent Domain (2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015)
- Texas Super Lawyers – “Rising Star” – Condemnation and Eminent Domain (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- 2009 Austin Outstanding Young Lawyer, Austin Bar Association
- Best Lawyers, 2019
- 2008 Austin Under 40 Award in the Legal Category
- 2007 Young Professional of the Year, Austin United Way
- Speaker on eminent domain reform efforts at Texas Legislature
- Frequent speaker on eminent domain valuation and procedural issues
- University of Texas Law School, Adjunct Professor, Eminent Domain and Private Property Rights
- Regularly interviewed and quoted by media outlets on eminent domain issues (Houston Chronicle, San Antonio Express News, Fort Worth Star Telegram, Fox News, etc.)
- In a jury trial in Johnson County, Texas, represented a property owner against a taking by Peregrine Pipeline Company. The taking was an approximately 2.9445 easement out of an approximate 400.836 acre tract of land with previous multiple pipeline easements and an oil and gas lease. The pipeline company offered $79,979 as just compensation. The landowner presented evidence showing just compensation should be $1,633,000. The jury awarded $1,633,000 as just compensation, including damages
- In a jury trial in Wichita Falls, Texas, represented a property owner against a taking by Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC. The taking was approximately 33.65 acres for a 345 kV transmission line. Oncor initially offered $54,731 as just compensation. The landowner presented evidence showing just compensation should be $393,165. The jury awarded $393,165 as just compensation, including damages
- University of Texas Law School, Adjunct Professor, Eminent Domain and Private Property Rights
- Eminent Domain And Condemnation
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Preeminent Eminent Domain attorney in Texas.”
“Luke is a great advocate for his clients. He is one of the best attorneys I deal with opposite of me on a regular basis.”
“Luke is an excellent eminent domain lawyer.”
“One of the go-to landowner's attorneys in the South Texas region for eminent domain matters.”
“Luke is one of the most competent and professional attorneys I know.”
“Outstanding work.”
“Luke is one of Texas's top trial lawyers in eminent domain, and he's one of the state's top young trial lawyers, period.”
“Incredibly capable and smart lawyer.”
“Luke is a great lawyer with a passion for protecting property owners.”
“Luke Ellis is thoroughly committed to advancing his clients' interests, and does so with his intellect, courtroom savvy and thorough preparation and hard work. I would not hesitate to recommend him to a personal friend and would consider that person in exceedingly good hands.”
“Luke zealously represents his client while maintaining a high degree of professionalism.”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2015 - 2024
- Rising Stars: 2006 - 2009, 2012 - 2015
