Practice Areas: Eminent Domain
Licensed in Texas since: 2005
Education: The University of Chicago Law School
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2025 Call today:
713-325-9700
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Houston, TX 77002 Visit website
Details
Practicing exclusively in the areas of eminent law and condemnation law, attorney Mark Merrell works out of McFarland PLLC’s Houston office in Texas. He is driven by the interest of protecting the rights of property owners who face issues of positioning their claims for maximum recovery against public authorities or the state.
Standing with his clients throughout their legal journey, Mr. Merrell advises clients during every stage, from evaluating the initial offer to preparing for a jury trial. Involved in every aspect of the process of eminent domain, he has handled hundreds of cases ranging across a variety of condemnation reasons of public utility from road widening and land for oil and gas pipeline projects to the dilapidated state of a property that poses a threat to the safety of the public.
Mr. Merrell’s clientele includes property owners from all strata, including small business owners, real estate developers with millions of square footage properties, multisite churches and Fortune 500 companies. While striving to take the legal burden off his clients’ shoulders, he makes sure to go the extra mile in order to recover the maximum amount for his clients. In his 18-plus years of practice, he has been successful in recovering millions of dollars on behalf of his clients.
In 2002, Mr. Merrell graduated summa cum laude from Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He joined the University of Chicago Law School for his law degree and was also part of the Appellate Advocacy Clinic. He commenced his legal journey working with an international law firm representing public-use entities who wanted to acquire properties and rights of way for large-scale projects.
Practice areas
Eminent Domain- 100% Eminent Domain
First Admitted: 2005, Texas
Professional Webpage: https://www.mcfarlandpllc.com/attorney/merrell-mark-l/
- Texas, 2005
- Owners Counsel of America, Affiliate Member, 2023
- Settlement - V-Tex Pipeline v. Omaha Ranch - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against pipeline company, 2022.
- Settled - City of Houston vs. R.J. Corman Equipment, Co., LLC - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the City of Houston, 2022
- Settled - City of Stafford vs. Riverpoint Holdings LLC - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the City of Stafford, 2022
- Settled - State of Texas vs. Marine, Inc. - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the State of Texas, 2023
- Settled - Matterhorn Pipeline v. Marshall Marek - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against Matterhorn Pipeline, 2023
- Settled - City of Houston vs. Kingwood Property Company - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against City of Houston, 2023
- Settled - State of Texas vs. Second Baptist Church - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the State of Texas, 2023
- Settlement - AMP Pipeline v. Five Star Wagyu Ranch - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against AMP Pipeline, 2023
- Settlement - State of Texas v. Bugai-Krueger - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against State of Texas, 2022
- Jury Verdict - State of Texas - AK Texas Venture - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the State of Texas, 2017
- Settlement - State of Texas vs. Redfish Island, Inc - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the State of Texas, 2022
- Settlement - State of Texas vs. PHCG Investments - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the State of Texas, 2023
- Settlement - North Harris County Regional Water Authority v. AEI Healthcare Portfolio II DST. Condemnation Case. Represented the Defendant-Landowner, 2023.
- Settled - State of Texas v. Mr. W Fireworks - Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the State of Texas, 2023.
- Settlement - Fort Bend County vs. LBM Holdings - Condemnation Case. Represented the Defendant-Landowner against Fort Bend County, 2023.
- Settlements - Permian Highway Pipeline vs. Coon, Bludau, Angel. etc. - Represented over 20 landowners in separate condemnation cases against Permian Highway Pipeline, a Kinder Morgan subsidiary, 2023.
- Settlement - State of Texas v. Burke Naylor 1935, LLC - Condemnation Case. Represented the Defendant-Landowner against the State of Texas, 2023.
- West Harris County Regional Water Authority, a local water authority tasked with acquiring 30 miles of property across greater Houston for construction of a transmission water line, 2023.
- LyondellBassell, a leader in the global chemical industry., 2021
- M&L Spas, Inc, owner and operator of multiple location spa retailer., 2023
- EastGroup Properties, LP, an equity real estate investment trust that currently owns over 59,000,000 square feet of industrial space, 2023.
- PHCG Investments, LLC, holding company for Pappas-brands that includes Pappasitos and Pappadeaux restaurants, among others, 2022.
- Peterson New Territory, LLC, real estate developer in Houston, Texas, 2022.
- City of Richmond, Texas., 2022
- R.J. Corman Equipment, LLC, provides all facets of railroading equipment and services, 2022.
- UBH Holdings, LLC, homebuilder that builds homes throughout Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana, 2021.
- Second Baptist Church, large Baptist church with various locations across the Houston area., 2022
- Rice University, preeminent institution of higher learning located in Houston, Texas, 2023
- Mr. W Fireworks, Inc., one of the largest sellers of fireworks in Texas, with over 100 locations across the State, 2023
- Kingwood Properties, LLC, one of numerous subsidiaries that owns dozens of Sonic franchises across Texas, 2023
- Tri Pointe Homes Texas, Inc., large Texas-based real estate developer, 2023.
- Landmark Industries, large real estate developer, 2023
- Century Land Holdings, large residential developer, 2023
- AEI Health Portfolio II DST, a Delaware Statutory Trust with substantial holdings, 2023
- Fort Bend County Municipal Utility District No. 256, local utility district., 2023
- North Fort Bend Water Authority, regional water district near Houston, 2023
- Board Member, Athletic Booster Club (Tompkins High School), 2023
- Member, Katy ISD Bond Committee, 2023
- Family of the Year, Katy Elks Club, 2008
- Katy ISD Athletic Hall of Honor, Katy ISD, 2017
- Texas A&M University, B.S., Honors: summa cum laude, Major: Political Science, 2002
- Real Estate; Retail; Banking; Churches
These comments were made by fellow attorneys during the annual nomination process.
“Clients love Mark Merrell, and for good reason. Smart and practical, with an ability to connect to others”
“Best of the next generation of condemnation lawyers.”
“Eminent Domain Lawyer”
“Exceptional condemnation attorney, the rare example of a quality advocate for both landowners and condemning authorities”
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2024 - 2025
