Britt Brandon advises developers, utilities, energy companies and public entities on securing the land rights and regulatory approvals needed to build infrastructure. His practice covers the full life cycle of development projects from title analysis and right-of-way acquisition through federal and state permitting so that clients can move from planning to construction on schedule.
He guides clients through land acquisition strategies including negotiated easements, rights-of-way, and fee purchases, and when agreement cannot be reached, he directs and executes eminent domain proceedings. Britt draws on hands-on experience with large-scale construction projects and close collaboration with engineers to keep acquisitions aligned with project timelines.
Britt also counsels clients on the permitting and regulatory framework governing infrastructure development, including Clean Water Act Section 404 permits, Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 and 408 approvals, and National Environmental Policy Act compliance.
Before joining Phelps, he served as counsel for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, where he gained firsthand knowledge of how federal agencies evaluate permit applications, environmental compliance and land acquisition from the government side.
Experience
- Manages land acquisition programs for infrastructure projects, coordinating the acquisition of interests in fee, permanent easements, rights-of-way and temporary construction easements.
- Directs eminent domain proceedings for the acquisition of real property interests, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and facilitating timely project delivery.
- Advises on federal environmental permitting and compliance including the Clean Water Act Section 404, Rivers and Harbor Sections 10 and 408 and National Environmental Policy Act for complex infrastructure and energy development projects.
- Counsels clients on regulatory strategy and agency coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other federal and state agencies throughout the permitting process.
- Conducts title examination and due diligence for land-intensive projects, identifying ownership, encumbrances and title issues that could affect project schedule or acquisition costs.