About Charles Black
Charles Black McFarland is a board-certified civil trial lawyer who specializes in eminent domain and condemnation law. As the managing partner at McFarland PLLC, he leads a Houston-based firm dedicated exclusively to representing property owners in condemnation cases. The firm operates from its office located at 811 Louisiana Street, Suite 2520, Houston, TX 77002. Since his admission to the State Bar of Texas in 1995, Charles has built a robust practice focused on protecting the rights of landowners across Texas. His experience includes representing clients in significant condemnation cases involving the Texas Department of Transportation and various state and local governmental agencies.
Charles primarily focuses on highway and roadway expansion projects that impact retail, commercial, industrial, and special-use properties. This specialization allows him to navigate complex legal fields and advocate for his clients’ interests. Charles earned his Juris Doctorate with honors from The University of Texas School of Law in 1995, where he was honored as a Keeton Fellow. Prior to that, he completed his Bachelor of Arts with honors at The University of Texas in 1991. His educational background laid a strong foundation for his legal career, equipping him with the skills necessary to excel in the demanding field of eminent domain law.
In addition to his legal practice, Charles is an active member of several professional organizations. He served as the past chair of the Damages Subcommittee of the Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Litigation Committee within the American Bar Association. Furthermore, he is a Fellow of both the Texas Bar Foundation and the Houston Bar Foundation. His commitment to the field was recognized in 2019 when he was selected as the Texas representative to the Owners’ Counsel of America, a prestigious network of leading eminent domain attorneys. Charles has received numerous accolades for his work in eminent domain and condemnation law.
He has been recognized by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and Texas Super Lawyers. Additionally, he holds the AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which signifies the highest possible rating for ethical standards and legal ability. His litigation experience extends to handling appeals in various courts, including the First, Fourth, Sixth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Courts of Appeals, as well as the Texas Supreme Court. As a frequent speaker and panelist on condemnation and eminent domain law, he has also contributed to publications by the American Bar Association and the American Law Institute, further establishing his authority in the field.
