First Admitted: 2002, New York

Professional Webpage: https://mehlaw.com/attorneys/luke-ellis/

Bar/Professional Activity:

University of Texas Law School, Adjunct Professor, Eminent Domain and Private Property Rights

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

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

Pro bono/Community Service:

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)

Honors/Awards:

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

Educational Background:

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

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

“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

Other Outstanding Achievements:

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.)

Industry Groups:

Eminent Domain And Condemnation

Luke Ellis