Adam L. Plumbley
Practice Areas
Experience
- Appellate
- Condemnation & Eminent Domain
- Condemnation & Eminent Domain Litigation
- Real Estate Litigation
- Upstream Oil & Gas
Biography
Adam Plumbley is a trial and appellate litigation attorney in Jackson Walker’s Fort Worth office representing oil and gas producers, common carriers, utilities, and midstream companies in all aspects of energy litigation, condemnation and eminent domain, and real property disputes, as well as general commercial litigation, including product liability and financial services.
Adam represents common carriers and utilities in the acquisition of land and right-of-way, by eminent domain if necessary, for the installation, construction, and maintenance of midstream facilities, including pipelines, stations, and other related appurtenances. His eminent domain practice includes representation from survey access and easement negotiations through serving as trial counsel. Throughout his career, Adam has handled hundreds of eminent domain matters for utilities and common carrier pipelines and has tried multiple jury trials on eminent domain cases in counties across Texas. Adam also represents numerous oil and gas operators and midstream companies impacted by expansion projects by the Texas Department of Transportation and municipalities.
In his trial and appellate work, Adam represents clients in numerous types of disputes, including those related to title, access to land, nuisance issues, and obligations to pay oil and gas royalties.
Education
B.A., magna cum laude, Texas Christian University
J.D., cum laude, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (Now known as Texas A&M University School of Law)
- Editor in Chief, Texas Wesleyan Law Review
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Northern and Western Districts of Texas
Eminent Domain/Real Property Litigation
Adam’s eminent domain experience includes representation from survey access and easement negotiations through serving as trial counsel. Adam also assists clients on injunctive relief and encroachment issues. Adam has tried multiple jury trials on eminent domain cases.
Representative Matters:
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for multi-county segments of a 790-mile joint venture natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline from the Permian Basin to a fractionation facility in Mont Belvieu, Texas, including properties located in Reeves, Ward, Pecos, Midland, Glasscock, Sterling, Mitchell, Nolan, Taylor, Callahan, Eastland, Erath, Somervell, Hood, and Johnson counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for a five-county Texas segment of an approximately 125-mile interstate transmission NGL pipeline from the Red River to facilities in Johnson County, Texas, including properties located in Montague, Wise, Parker, Hood and Johnson counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for multi-county segments of a 650-mile crude oil pipeline from the Permian Basin to the Texas Gulf Coast, including Brown, Comanche, Hamilton, Coryell, McLennan, Bell, Falls, Milam, Robertson, Brazos, Grimes, Walker, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Liberty, Chambers, and Harris counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for a three-county segment of 20-mile NGL pipeline located in Midland, Reagan, Glasscock, and Upton counties, 9-mile lateral NGL pipeline in Reagan County, and 2-mile and 20-mile lateral NGL pipelines in Culberson County
- Eminent domain counsel for gas utility assisting in condemnation, right-of-way acquisition, and installation of critical infrastructure throughout the Barnett Shale region, including Tarrant, Johnson, Denton, Parker, Ellis, Erath, and Bosque counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for multi-county segments of a natural gas pipeline spanning roughly 500 miles from the Permian Basin to the Texas Gulf Coast, including Pecos, Crane, Upton, Reagan, Crockett, Val Verde, Kinney, Maverick, Zavala, Dimmitt, La Salle, McMullen, Duval, Jim Wells, and Nueces counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for a 35-mile natural gas liquids pipeline through Upton, Reagan, and Glasscock counties
- Eminent domain counsel for a gas utility assisting in condemnation of right-of-way for the multi-phase replacement of an existing natural gas pipeline running from the Permian Basin to the DFW metropolitan area, including Nolan, Taylor and Callahan counties
- Represented oil and gas operator in defense of eminent domain highway expansion project by the Texas Department of Transportation in Tarrant County, Texas
- Represented developer through trial and appeal to establish an implied road dedication
- Represented pipeline company in defense of injunction lawsuit seeking to halt construction of billion-dollar, cross-Texas NGL pipeline
- Represented developer and water supply company in protection of easement rights and defense of drainage claims.
Energy Litigation
Adam serves as counsel to oil and gas producers in royalty, title, environmental, contractual, and numerous other types of disputes, including:
- Defense of royalty litigation, including class actions and large multi-district litigation;
- Joint operating and area of mutual interest disputes;
- Defense of lease termination and failure to develop cases;
- Defense/Prosecution of title disputes, trespass, and trespass to try title actions;
- Prosecution of regulatory takings cases against municipalities over oil and gas rights; and
- Defense of environmental, emissions, and nuisance claims.
Representative Matters:
- Handled the defense of an oil and gas producer in two separate, field-wide multi-district litigation proceedings concerning the alleged underpayment of royalties, which included allegations of fraud and sham sales to affiliated entities
- Represented an oil and gas producer in the prosecution of a subsurface trespass action regarding a trespass well drilled into acreage held as a part of a large secondary recovery unit
- Handled defense of trespass to try title action between two oil and gas interest owners pertaining to ownership of certain overriding royalty interests
- Represented organization of oil and gas producers in prosecution of a regulatory taking pertaining to a North Texas municipality’s implementation of an excessive fee related to the inspection of oil and gas wells
- Represented pipeline company in defense of nuisance suit by municipality pertaining to alleged emissions from a pipeline surface site and won same on summary judgment
General Commercial Litigation
Adam has also handled multiple litigation matters that cover a broad spectrum of commercial litigation, including:
- Defense of product liability, personal injury, and wrongful death cases for aerospace and small parts manufacturers;
- Defense of fiduciary litigation for financial institutions;
- Trial and arbitration of multiple construction disputes; and
- Trial and appeal of Texas Tort Claims Act matters.
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2023-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2021-2024
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers â Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2017-2020
- Tarrant County’s Top Attorneys, Fort Worth, Texas, 2012 and 2018
- “Top Attorneys” List, 360 West Magazine, 2017-2018, 2021
- Eminent Domain, 2017-2018, 2021
- Oil & Gas, 2017
- Aviation, Admiralty, Maritime, and Transportation, 2017
- “Top Attorneys” List, Fort Worth Magazine, 2013-2020, 2022-2024
- Eminent Domain, 2020
- Commercial Litigation, 2019, 2022
- Oil & Gas, 2013-2014, 2016-2018, 2023
- Civil Litigation, 2013
- Probate, Estates, Trust, 2024
- Speaker, “ESG and the Near Term Impact to the Energy Industry,” Jackson Walker and Echo Productions Webinar (June 2021)
- Speaker, “Condemnation & Pipelines,” 22nd Annual Permian Basin Oil & Gas Law Seminar (Midland, Texas; March 2020)
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Echo Productions, Board of Directors
- Eldon Mahon Inn of Court
- March of Dimes Fort Worth Division, Board of Directors, 2011-2013
- Ladder Alliance, Board of Directors, 2007-2011
December 20, 2024
Attorney News
âFort Worth Magazineâ Lists 27 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the âTop Attorneysâ of 2024
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 27 Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazineâs âTop Attorneysâ list for 2024. To be selected for inclusion, attorneys with an active license and who practice within the Tarrant County area must be nominated by their peers within the region. The list of nominees then goes through a ârigorous panel review to assure the highest of quality is met.â
September 17, 2024
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its âTexas Super Lawyersâ of 2024
Jackson Walker proudly announces the selection of 71 attorneys to Thomson Reutersâ 2024 âTexas Super Lawyersâ list.
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 15, 2024
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 306 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2025 Edition, Including 9 “Lawyers of the Year” and 75 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 306 Jackson Walker attorneys across 81 specialty practice areas in its 2025 edition, including 9 Lawyers of the Year and 75 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (75 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (55 attorneys) and the addition of 27 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
December 12, 2023
Attorney News
‘Fort Worth Magazine’ Lists 16 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the “Top Attorneys” of 2023
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 16 Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazineâs âTop Attorneysâ list for 2023. To be selected for inclusion, attorneys with an active license and who practice within the Tarrant County area must be nominated by their peers within the region. The list of nominees then goes through a ârigorous panel review to assure the highest of quality is met.â
September 19, 2023
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this yearâs guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
February 1, 2023
Attorney News
‘Fort Worth Magazine’ Lists 16 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among the “Top Attorneys” of 2022
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the selection of 16 Fort Worth-based attorneys to Fort Worth Magazineâs âTop Attorneysâ list for 2022.
September 21, 2022
Attorney News
Jackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
October 20, 2021
Webinars
“Covering All Aspects of ESG”
In this webinar, Jackson Walker attorneys provide an overview of how companies of all sizes can develop and follow Environmental, Social, & Governance practices to create great value for their organizations.
Practice Experience
Eminent Domain/Real Property Litigation
Adam’s eminent domain experience includes representation from survey access and easement negotiations through serving as trial counsel. Adam also assists clients on injunctive relief and encroachment issues. Adam has tried multiple jury trials on eminent domain cases.
Representative Matters:
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for multi-county segments of a 790-mile joint venture natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline from the Permian Basin to a fractionation facility in Mont Belvieu, Texas, including properties located in Reeves, Ward, Pecos, Midland, Glasscock, Sterling, Mitchell, Nolan, Taylor, Callahan, Eastland, Erath, Somervell, Hood, and Johnson counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for a five-county Texas segment of an approximately 125-mile interstate transmission NGL pipeline from the Red River to facilities in Johnson County, Texas, including properties located in Montague, Wise, Parker, Hood and Johnson counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for multi-county segments of a 650-mile crude oil pipeline from the Permian Basin to the Texas Gulf Coast, including Brown, Comanche, Hamilton, Coryell, McLennan, Bell, Falls, Milam, Robertson, Brazos, Grimes, Walker, Montgomery, San Jacinto, Liberty, Chambers, and Harris counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for a three-county segment of 20-mile NGL pipeline located in Midland, Reagan, Glasscock, and Upton counties, 9-mile lateral NGL pipeline in Reagan County, and 2-mile and 20-mile lateral NGL pipelines in Culberson County
- Eminent domain counsel for gas utility assisting in condemnation, right-of-way acquisition, and installation of critical infrastructure throughout the Barnett Shale region, including Tarrant, Johnson, Denton, Parker, Ellis, Erath, and Bosque counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for multi-county segments of a natural gas pipeline spanning roughly 500 miles from the Permian Basin to the Texas Gulf Coast, including Pecos, Crane, Upton, Reagan, Crockett, Val Verde, Kinney, Maverick, Zavala, Dimmitt, La Salle, McMullen, Duval, Jim Wells, and Nueces counties
- Eminent domain and transactional counsel for a 35-mile natural gas liquids pipeline through Upton, Reagan, and Glasscock counties
- Eminent domain counsel for a gas utility assisting in condemnation of right-of-way for the multi-phase replacement of an existing natural gas pipeline running from the Permian Basin to the DFW metropolitan area, including Nolan, Taylor and Callahan counties
- Represented oil and gas operator in defense of eminent domain highway expansion project by the Texas Department of Transportation in Tarrant County, Texas
- Represented developer through trial and appeal to establish an implied road dedication
- Represented pipeline company in defense of injunction lawsuit seeking to halt construction of billion-dollar, cross-Texas NGL pipeline
- Represented developer and water supply company in protection of easement rights and defense of drainage claims.
Energy Litigation
Adam serves as counsel to oil and gas producers in royalty, title, environmental, contractual, and numerous other types of disputes, including:
- Defense of royalty litigation, including class actions and large multi-district litigation;
- Joint operating and area of mutual interest disputes;
- Defense of lease termination and failure to develop cases;
- Defense/Prosecution of title disputes, trespass, and trespass to try title actions;
- Prosecution of regulatory takings cases against municipalities over oil and gas rights; and
- Defense of environmental, emissions, and nuisance claims.
Representative Matters:
- Handled the defense of an oil and gas producer in two separate, field-wide multi-district litigation proceedings concerning the alleged underpayment of royalties, which included allegations of fraud and sham sales to affiliated entities
- Represented an oil and gas producer in the prosecution of a subsurface trespass action regarding a trespass well drilled into acreage held as a part of a large secondary recovery unit
- Handled defense of trespass to try title action between two oil and gas interest owners pertaining to ownership of certain overriding royalty interests
- Represented organization of oil and gas producers in prosecution of a regulatory taking pertaining to a North Texas municipality’s implementation of an excessive fee related to the inspection of oil and gas wells
- Represented pipeline company in defense of nuisance suit by municipality pertaining to alleged emissions from a pipeline surface site and won same on summary judgment
General Commercial Litigation
Adam has also handled multiple litigation matters that cover a broad spectrum of commercial litigation, including:
- Defense of product liability, personal injury, and wrongful death cases for aerospace and small parts manufacturers;
- Defense of fiduciary litigation for financial institutions;
- Trial and arbitration of multiple construction disputes; and
- Trial and appeal of Texas Tort Claims Act matters.
Recognition & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2023-2025
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2021-2024
- Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers â Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters, 2017-2020
- Tarrant County’s Top Attorneys, Fort Worth, Texas, 2012 and 2018
- “Top Attorneys” List, 360 West Magazine, 2017-2018, 2021
- Eminent Domain, 2017-2018, 2021
- Oil & Gas, 2017
- Aviation, Admiralty, Maritime, and Transportation, 2017
- “Top Attorneys” List, Fort Worth Magazine, 2013-2020, 2022-2024
- Eminent Domain, 2020
- Commercial Litigation, 2019, 2022
- Oil & Gas, 2013-2014, 2016-2018, 2023
- Civil Litigation, 2013
- Probate, Estates, Trust, 2024
Publications & Speeches
- Speaker, “ESG and the Near Term Impact to the Energy Industry,” Jackson Walker and Echo Productions Webinar (June 2021)
- Speaker, “Condemnation & Pipelines,” 22nd Annual Permian Basin Oil & Gas Law Seminar (Midland, Texas; March 2020)
Community Involvement
- Tarrant County Bar Association
- Echo Productions, Board of Directors
- Eldon Mahon Inn of Court
- March of Dimes Fort Worth Division, Board of Directors, 2011-2013
- Ladder Alliance, Board of Directors, 2007-2011