Jody Sodd McSpadden has made her mark in a wide range of successful courtroom experiences.While Jody has practiced in a variety of areas, including personal injury, farm and ranch litigation, oil and gas litigation, business litigation and family law, she now devotes most of her practice to complex condemnation cases.She has represented landowners in condemnation proceedings involving the Dallas Cowboys football stadium, condemnations for Trinity River projects in Fort Worth and Dallas, a prominent water rights condemnation, numerous highway condemnations, a condemnation for a natural gas treatment facility, as well as condemnations involving pipeline companies.
Jody received her undergraduate degree from Texas A & M University earning a B.S. in Agricultural Development in1998.After graduating from Texas A& M, Jody taught middle school and high school before making the decision to go to law school. In 2002, Jody earned her law degree from Baylor University School of Law.
Jody was recognized as a “Rising Star” in eminent domain in 2005, 2006 and 2007 by Law and Politics Magazine published in Texas Monthly.In addition to her dedication to the practice of law, Jody has also served the community as a member of the Corsicana Education Foundation Board, Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Navarro County Child Advocates and was an Adjunct Professor for the Navarro Junior College. Jody was appointed to the City of Corsicana’s Planning and Zoning Board and currently serves in that capacity.Jody is also a member of the Navarro County Bar Association.
Jody was born in Corsicana, Texas, February 21, 1975 and after law school wanted to return to her home town roots where she could raise her family.Jody married Chris McSpadden in 1998 and they have three children, Will, Annie and Jake. She and her family enjoy spending time together at their ranch, The Refuge, where Chris breeds and raises whitetail deer. Jody also enjoys reading, antique shopping and running.
Represented landowners in Marion County, Texas against Enbridge Pipeline (East Texas), LP in a case for leased land under a gas processing plant. This case is currently on appeal.
Represented landowners in Bell County, Texas against the State of Texas in a case where TXDOT took 28 acres for a rest stop and denied the owners access to groundwater beneath their land. The case involved complex issues regarding valuation of groundwater. Jody’s responsibilities included direct examination of the landowners’ key valuation witness and assisting in preparing the case for trial.
Represented landowners in a prominent water rights condemnation case in Nolan County, Texas.
Represents landowners in Tarrant County against the City of Ft. Worth on the 121T Southwest Parkway Project.
Represented landowners who owned property being taken for the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.
Represents landowners in Hill County against the State of Texas’ widening of I-35.
Represents convenience store owners in Dallas and Hill County whose property is being taken by the State of Texas for roadway projects.
Represents landowners in Navarro, Johnson, Ellis, Leon and Tarrant Counties regarding various pipeline projects.
Represents landowners whose property is being acquired for the Trinity River Vision Project.
Conducted numerous fact and expert witness depositions in a variety of condemnation cases.
Jody wrote a paper entitled Defending Property Owners from the Government and presented it at the Advanced Consumer Law CLE in Houston on behalf of the State Bar of Texas in November 2005.
Jody also wrote a paper entitled, Condemnation Proceedings for Easements from the Landowner’s Perspective and presented it at the Law of Easements: Legal Issues and Practice Considerations seminar hosted by Lorman Education Services in August 2007.
Glenn Sodd
Jody McSpadden
