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    Frederick D. Junkin

    Partner

    Houston
    713-877-5508
    fred.junkin@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Eminent DomainEnergy LitigationAppellate

    Companies whose projects face legal hurdles with land acquisition turn to the experience of Fred Junkin. Fred's reputation among fellow attorneys and loyal clients as an accomplished trial lawyer is backed up by an extensive resume of successful defenses and favorable outcomes. His practice focuses on the area of eminent domain, in which he has represented both landowners and, more typically, condemning authorities.

    Fred’s work extends into:

    • Issues and Appeals
    • Commercial Litigation
    • Eminent Domain and Land Use Litigation
    • Energy Litigation
    • Government Contracts
    • Energy and Infrastructure
    • Pipeline
    • Litigation
    • Energy

    In addition to his public law practice, Fred represents private clients in real property litigation and commercial disputes. He also has represented clients in connection with appellate proceedings. Fred was managing editor of the Texas Law Review and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law as a member of The Order of the Coif.

    In addition to his public law practice, Fred represents private clients in real property litigation and commercial disputes. He also has represented clients in connection with appellate proceedings. Fred was managing editor of the Texas Law Review and graduated from the University of Texas School of Law as a member of The Order of the Coif.

    Experience

    Condemnation

    • Successfully represented water authorities, pipeline companies, transit authorities and power agencies in the acquisition of easements and right-of-way for various projects and construction.
    • Represented multiple pipeline companies in connection with right-of-way acquisition projects for the construction of a 70-mile natural gas pipeline and a 113-mile carbon dioxide pipeline.
    • Represented municipalities in connection with the acquisition of land necessary for the construction of a sporting venues.

    Inverse Condemnation

    • Defended a transit authority in multiple trial court and appellate proceedings against claims that the construction and operation of light rail facilities blocked access to landowners' properties.
    • Defended a transit authority against claim that transportation routes being used on the construction of a light rail line impaired access to a landowner's adjoining property.

    Landowner Defense

    • Represented a major railroad company in a matter of a proposed condemnation of a pipeline easement along and across the company's railroad right-of-way.
    • Represented a major national bank in negotiations for the acquisition of a power line easement across the bank's property.

    Other Government Litigation

    • Defended executives of a tax increment reinvestment zone in a suit brought by developer whose request for funding for a redevelopment project was denied.

    Real Property Litigation

    • Secured a reversal of an adverse summary judgment and negotiated a favorable settlement for landowners seeking recovery for a failure to disclose a pipeline easement across their property. Fred substituted in as counsel following an adverse summary judgment ruling and jury verdict.

    Landowner Defense

    • Represented a major railroad company in a matter of a proposed condemnation of a pipeline easement along and across the company's railroad right-of-way.
    • Represented a major national bank in negotiations for the acquisition of a power line easement across the bank's property.

    Other Government Litigation

    • Defended executives of a tax increment reinvestment zone in a suit brought by developer whose request for funding for a redevelopment project was denied.

    Real Property Litigation

    • Secured a reversal of an adverse summary judgment and negotiated a favorable settlement for landowners seeking recovery for a failure to disclose a pipeline easement across their property. Fred substituted in as counsel following an adverse summary judgment ruling and jury verdict.

    Insights

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • June 6, 2024

      Chambers USA Guide 2024 Ranks 24 Phelps Practice Areas and 69 Lawyers…

    More +
    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • June 1, 2023

      Chambers USA 2023 Ranks 20 Phelps Practice Areas and 60 Lawyers…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • August 20, 2020

      127 Phelps Lawyers Selected to Best Lawyers in America, 16 Named "Lawyer of the Year" and 37 Chosen for First Class of "Ones to Watch"…

    • October 4, 2019

      Phelps Dunbar Expands Condemnation Services in Texas…

    Recognition

    • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law (2013-2025), "Lawyer of the Year" Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law (2025), The Best Lawyers in America 
    • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business - Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use
    • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law (2013-2025), "Lawyer of the Year" Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law (2025), The Best Lawyers in America 
    • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business - Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use

    Education

    • University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1989
    • Austin College, B.A., with honors, 1986
    • University of Texas School of Law, J.D., with honors, 1989
    • Austin College, B.A., with honors, 1986

    Credentials

    • Texas
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Thomas Morrow Reavley, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • Texas
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Thomas Morrow Reavley, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • Houston Bar Association
    • Houston Bar Association
    • Overview
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    • Insights
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    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Eminent Domain
    • Energy Litigation
    • Appellate
    • Litigation
    • Energy
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