Clint Schumacher

Clint Schumacher focuses his litigation practice on eminent domain and government taking litigation and counseling as well as other high-stakes litigation matters.

Clint has represented property owners of all sizes that are being impacted by public projects. Over the last twenty years, Clint has developed a particular expertise in condemnation for highway projects. He is able both to work with the condemning authority to try to minimize impacts and, when that fails, to seek full compensation for the owner. He will often recognize what others miss.  His varied client list includes Fortune 500 companies, Wall Street investment firms, international hotel chains, individual investors, developers, and families. Before joining Dawson & Sodd, Clint represented regional toll authorities and mass-transit authorities in some of the largest projects in north Texas.

Clint continually seeks to build on his extensive litigation experience by studying and practicing the art of effective advocacy, consulting with the nation’s leading trial and jury consultants, and listening to stories of past jurors about their experiences at the courthouse. This dedication to excellence has led him to being named as a Texas Super Lawyer in Eminent Domain by Texas Lawyer magazine in 2014-17.

Clint is the host of The Eminent Domain Podcast which can be found on ITunes, Stitcher, or at its home website: www.eminentdomainpodcast.com. The podcast covers all things eminent domain and reaches listeners across the U.S. and in several foreign countries.

Additionally, Clint is a popular speaker on the topic of eminent domain. He is often called upon to speak on the subject to industry professionals, other lawyers and law students around the country.

Clint is married to his college sweetheart, Jennifer, and they have three boys. In his spare time, Clint enjoys coaching football and will be entering his tenth season as a coach in the fall of 2018.  Clint’s devotes his twitter account to various eminent domain, sports, and team building topics. He can be found at J_Clint.

Representative Matters

Eminent Domain

• Obtained jury verdict for client in a condemnation case for Fortune 500 company against the State of Texas.
• Obtained jury verdict for client in a condemnation case for individual property owner against the State of Texas.
• Obtained jury verdict for individual hotel investor in a condemnation case against the State of Texas.
• Obtained settlement for client in a condemnation case for family trust against the State of Texas.
• Obtained settlement for Wall Street investment firm against the State of Texas in a condemnation case.

Complex Commercial and Energy Litigation

• Obtained $21.5 million judgment against one of the nation’s largest gas producers.
• Resolution of east Texas lease dispute for an independent oil and gas company against one of the nation’s largest gas producers.
• Defend royalty class action relating to alleged gathering overcharges.
• Obtained settlement of nationwide class action for national professional services firm alleging billing fraud.
• Defended national accounting firm in proceeding alleging auditing malpractice and seeking damages in excess of $100 million relating to services performed for an independent oil and gas exploration company.
• Defended national professional services firm and individual accountants in numerous regulatory matters.

Reported Decisions

• Sloan Creek II, LLC v. North Texas Tollway Authority, 472 S.W.3d 906 (Tex.App.—Dallas 2015, pet. denied)
• State of Texas v. Johnson, 444 S.W.2d 62 (Tex.App.—Dallas 2014, pet denied)
• Coe v. Chesapeake, 695 F.3d 311 (5th Cir. 2012)
• State of Texas v. State Street Bank and Trust Company and Brinker International Payroll Company, L.P., 359 S.W.3d 375, (Tex.App.-Dallas, 2012, no pet.)
• Allodial Limited Partnership v. North Texas Tollway Authority , 176 S.W.3d 680 (Tex.App.–Dallas 2005, pet. denied)
• Dallas Sales Company v. Carlisle Silver Company, Inc. , 134 S.W.3d 928 (Tex.App.–Waco 2004, pet. denied)
• Compass Exploration, Inc. v. B-E Drilling Company , 60 S.W.3d 2273 (Tex.App.–Waco 2001, no pet.)

Professional History

• Partner, Dawson & Sodd (commencing 2018)
• Partner, Locke Lord LLP (2004-2018)
• Associate, Locke Lord LLP (1997-2004)
• Intern, Supreme Court of Texas (1997)

Presentations & Publications

• Presenter, How to Be Prepared When the Government Wants Your Property, Hospitality Law Conference – Houston (2018)
• Presenter, Determining the Whole Property, IRWA Chapter 36 Spring Seminar (2018)
• Presenter, Determining the Whole Property, CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar – Texas Superconference (2018)
• Presenter, Youth and Middle School Concepts, Glazier DFW Football Clinic (2018)
• Presenter, Special Use Properties, CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar (2017)
• Presenter, Design-Build Highway Projects, CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar (2016)
• Presenter, Financial Distress in the Energy Sector: Managing Exposure and Leveraging Opportunities (2016)
• Presenter, Six Keys to Effective Direct Examination, CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar (2014)
• Presenter, Conflicts of Interest in Eminent Domain Cases, CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar (2013)
• When is a Deal a Deal, the Story of Coe v. Chesapeake, (co-presented with Scott Hastings) to the Tarrant County Bar Association Energy Section (October 2012) and the Dallas Bar Association Energy Section (November 2012)
• Presenter, “Pre-Trial Motions: Persuasion, Positioning, and Preservation of Error,” CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar (2012)
• Presenter, “Use of Voir Dire in the Eminent Domain Case,” CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar (2011)
• Quoted, “Convention hotel has a sliver of a real estate problem,” WFAA.com (June 14, 2011)
• Presenter, “The Business of Law,” Washington University School of Law Intersession Lectures (2008-2011)
• Presenter, “Avoiding Ten Common Mistakes,” CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar (2010)
• Presenter, “Communicating to a Sound Bite Society,” Center for American and International Law Planning, Zoning, and Eminent Domain Seminar (2009)
• Presenter, “Presenting Your Case with Demonstrative Evidence,” Center for American and International Law Planning, Zoning, and Eminent Domain Seminar (2008)
• Presenter, “The Brave New World of Eminent Domain After New London v. Kelo,” Dallas Council of Real Estate Women (2006)
• Co-Author with Mike Moore, “The Duty to Disclose in Settlement Negotiations,” Settlement Agreements in Disputes, Chapter 3

Education

• University of Texas School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 1997
• Abilene Christian University, BBA, Accounting, 1994

Admitted to Practice

• All Texas State and Federal Courts
• Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
• United States Court of Federal Claims

Professional and Community Involvement

• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, Dallas Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Named, The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2015-17)
• Named, Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine, Eminent Domain (2014-17)
• Named, Rising Star by Texas Lawyer magazine (2011)
• Member, The Branch Church, Farmers Branch, Texas
• Football Coach, Trinity Christian Academy (2016 – present)
• Football Coach, Dallas Bills (2009-17)
• Finalist, Double-Win Coach, Positive Coaching Alliance (2014)
• Member, Texas State High School Coaches Association

Professional Awards

• Named, The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2015-17)
• Named, Texas Super Lawyer by Texas Monthly magazine, Eminent Domain (2014-17)
• Named, Rising Star by Texas Lawyer magazine (2011)