Noah M. Galton

• Assisted Austin-based electric utility with time-sensitive renewable energy project involving the acquisition of over 300 miles of right-of-way for a high-voltage transmission line, including negotiation of real property interests with affected landowners, coordination of efforts amongst a wide array of engineers, valuation experts, and land acquisition agents, and, when necessary, the pursuit of eminent domain proceedings to jury verdict.
• Representation of oil/gas midstream and interstate pipeline companies, railroads, municipal utility districts, regional mobility authorities, and electricity providers in the acquisition of real property rights in conjunction with extensive public projects aimed at expanding critical infrastructure in the State of Texas.
• Defended generic active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) development and supply company in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas against breach of contract claims surrounding the development and sale of a generic Sumatriptan injector system, including trial by jury.
• Defended governmental employees against declaratory, injunctive, and ultra vires claims, ultimately obtaining a dismissal of the employees with prejudice on governmental immunity grounds.
• Argued special appearance on behalf of Connecticut limited liability company facing numerous claims in Travis County district court, resulting in a dismissal of the lawsuit with prejudice for lack of personal jurisdiction.
• Obtained final summary judgment against individual claiming trespass damages in connection with the filming of a television commercial in Elgin, Texas, and successfully argued for the affirmance of the judgment before the Third Court of Appeals. See Matthews v. Solomon, No. 03-15-00474-CV, 2017 Tex. App. LEXIS 1749 (Tex. App.—Austin Mar. 2, 2017).
• Defended homeowner’s association against claims for breach of contract and violation of the Texas Fair Housing Act, ultimately culminating in the claimant non-suiting his causes of action with prejudice.
• Defended  utility company against wholesale electricity provider in contract dispute arising out of long-term power purchase agreement.
• Achieved favorable settlement for commercial tenant facing breach of contract claims in connection with alleged water damages sustained to leasehold premises.
• Negotiated pre-suit settlement of property damages claim on behalf of the owner of a unit within a high-rise luxury condominium in downtown Austin, Texas.

• Texas Rising Star, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2019-2022
• Named to “Up-and-Coming 100: Texas Rising Stars” list, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2022
• “Austin’s Top Attorneys” List – Eminent Domain, Austin Monthly, 2021
• Finalist, Austin Under 40, 2020
• Fellow, Texas Bar Foundation, 2019

Publications

• “Texas Supreme Court Reaffirms Validity and Scope of General Easements,” Jackson Walker Insights (February 2020)
• “Legal Fees: Staying Grounded in the Basics in an Ever-Changing Environment,” Austin Lawyer (September 2018)

Speeches

• “Cutting-Edge Issues in Utility Easement Acquisitions,” 19th Annual CLE International Eminent Domain SuperConference, Austin (February 2020)
• “Measuring Just Compensation,” Eminent Domain and Private Property Rights Law Course, University of Texas School of Law (March 2018; March 2017)
• “Conflicts of Interest & Other Important Considerations for Your Practice,” IRWA Spring Seminar (April 2017)

• Austin Bar Association – Eminent Domain Section
  • Chair, July 2022 – Present
  • Vice Chair, November 2021 – June 2022
• Waller Creek Conservancy
  • Development Committee, 2018-Present
• Generation Waller
  • Community Engagement Committee, Chair, 2018-Present
  • Steering Committee, Member, 2018-Present
  • Community Engagement Committee, Member, 2017-2018
• International Right of Way Association
• Austin Young Lawyers Association
• State Bar of Texas
• American Bar Association