The trial involved the LCRA’s condemnation of an 18-acre electric transmission line easement for the construction of a 345-kilovolt electric transmission line to transmit wind energy from West Texas and the Texas Panhandle throughout the state.

The defendant in the lawsuit was the owner of a 6,943-acre ranch located in Kerr and Gillespie Counties, a portion of which was being condemned by the LCRA. During the administrative phase of the lawsuit, three special commissioners from Gillespie County awarded the defendant significant damages for the LCRA’s easement acquisition. The LCRA subsequently appealed the special commissioners’ award. At trial, the jury ultimately reached a verdict that awarded damages to the defendant that were less than half of the initial damages awarded by the special commissioners and nearly five times less than what the defendant had sought at trial.

Jackson Walker partner Brad Anderson and associate Noah Galton represented LCRA in the proceedings. The successful result for the client demonstrates the strength of Jackson Walker’s Litigation and Eminent Domain practice groups, which have successfully represented clients in significant proceedings throughout the state.