Mary Colchin Johndroe vigorously represents clients in civil litigation, including construction, contract, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, property rights, and government law cases. She has handled cases at all levels of the legal system; before commissions and administrative agencies, in trials and appeals within Texas state and federal courts, including the Texas and U.S. Supreme Courts. Ms. Johndroe joined Cantey Hanger in 1986 and was elected partner in 1992.
Eminent Domain/Property Rights
Construction
Baylor University School of Law, Waco, Texas (J.D., 1986)
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas (B.A. Sociology, 1979)
– graduate work in Urban Affairs
mjohndroe@canteyhanger.com
(817) 877-2810
(817) 877-2807
600 W. 6th St., Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Represented municipality in eminent domain proceedings and negotiation of property interests to extend airport runway – involved relocation of rail and utilities on more than 50 parcels.
Counsel to international airport handling condemnations and risk avoidance in business disputes.
Lead attorney defending large hospital against condemnations by the State achieving lucrative settlements far in excess of award.
Attorney in charge representing river authority in substantial construction litigation resulting in favorable resolutions.
Obtained desirable judgments as lead counsel for river authority in eminent domain and inverse condemnation.
Represented municipality in defense of suit seeking to invalidate property tax resulting in summary judgment for client.
Represent landowners and condemnors in condemnations in Brown, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Johnson, Parker,  Polk, Tarrant and Wise counties.
Intermediary dispute resolution in eminent domain.
Lead attorney in complex multi-party construction litigation defending Canadian company. Obtained very favorable settlement in the midst of Daubert proceedings against plaintiff’s engineering experts.
Lead attorney defending utility companies in numerous personal injury, contract and property damage cases.
Adjunct Professor, Texas A&M University School of Law – Spring 2013 and 2014 (Construction Law)
Martindale Hubbell “AV Preeminent” Rating
The American Lawyer – Texas’ Top Rated Lawyers – Eminent Domain and Construction Law
Licensed to practice law in Texas in 1986
Admitted to practice before the United States District Court, Northern District of Texas
State Bar of Texas
– Litigation Section
– Construction Law Section
Tarrant County Bar Association
– Construction Law Section
– Real Estate Section
Women’s Bar Association, Board Member, 2012-2013
Certified Arbitrator (2007)
Texas Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
Tarrant County Bar Foundation, Fellow
Women Influencing Business – Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
Arlington Chamber of Commerce – Business Development Advisory Council
Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Texas
International Right of Way Association
National Association of Women Business Owners, Supporting Member
The Women’s Center, Council of Honor
The Women’s Foundation of North Texas
First Texas Council of Camp Fire Blue Ribbon Award, 1996
YWCA Tribute to Women in Business Award, 1999
Great Women of Texas, 2007 Woman of Influence
Fort Worth Business Press Great Women of Texas Alumni Group
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tarrant County, Charter Member, Attorneys for Littles

“Appeals – Direct and Cross-Examination, CLE International’s 12th Annual Eminent Domain Conference, August 9-10, 2018.”
“It’s Good to be King – Sovereign Immunity and Inverse Condemnation for Flooding by Dam Operations,” Texas A&M University School of Law, February 2018
“Are Lost Profits for Obstruction of Access Lost in Texas Condemnation?”, TCAA Monthly Member News, October 2017
“Inverse Condemnation Litigation: Strategies for Municipal Attorneys for Avoiding and Defending Taking Claims,” Strafford Publications Webinar, July 18, 2017
“Appellate Dilemmas in Eminent Domain — Right-to-Take Challenges, Expert Methodology, and Damages,” 10th Annual CLE International Eminent Domain Conference, September 15-16, 2016
“Jurisdictional Issues Determined in Administrative Stage of Texas Condemnations,” July 18, 2016
“‘Something Much Simpler’ in Texas Condemnation – The Separate Economic Unit,” IRWA Chapter 36, Spring Seminar, April 29, 2016
“Survey Rights and Condemnation in Texas,” March 28, 2016
“Appellate Dilemmas in Eminent Domain — Right-to-Take Challenges, Expert Methodology, and Damages”, CLE International’s 10th Annual Eminent Domain Conference, September 15-16, 2016.
“’Something Much Simpler’ in Texas Condemnation – The Separate Economic Unit,” TCAA Monthly Member News, December 2015
“Hot Topics in Public/Private Partnerships,” State Bar of Texas, Minority Counsel, Austin, Texas, September 3-5, 2014
“The Eminent and Inverse Environment – The Interplay Between Environmental Issues and Condemnation,” Tarrant County Bar Association, CLE Seminar for the Environmental Law Section, February 27, 2014
“Pilot Program for Property Tax Appeals Begins in 2010,” Fort Worth Business Press, July 6-12, 2009
State v. Stockton Bend 100 Joint Venture, No. 02-14-00307-CV, 2016 WL 3198960 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth June 9, 2016, pet. denied) (mem. op.)
In re Stockton Bend 100 Relator Joint Venture, No. 02-13-00368-CV, 2013 WL 5874581 (Tex. App.–Fort Worth Oct. 31, 2013, orig. proceeding)
Boyer, Inc. v. Trinity River Authority of Texas, 279 S.W.3d 354 (Tex. App.— Fort Worth 2008, pet. denied)
Blackburne & Brown Mortgage Fund I v. Atmos Energy Corp., No. 02-06-00393-CV, 2007 WL 3408653 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Nov. 15, 2007, pet. denied) (mem. op.)
Gregory Connolly v. Texas Utilities Co., et al., No. 02-01-00200-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Sept. 27, 2001, no pet.)
Christopher Aaron v. TU Electric Co., et al., No. 02-00-00240-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth August 25, 2000, no pet.)
In re Jerry’s Chevrolet-Buick, Inc., 977 S.W.2d 565 (Tex. 1998)
Tarrant Appraisal District v. Moore, 845 S.W.2d 820 (Tex. 1993)
Bryant v. Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., 786 S.W.2d 547 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1990, pet. denied), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1126, 112 L.Ed.2d 1194 (Feb. 25, 1991)
Tarrant Appraisal District, et al. v. Wilmington Trust Co., et al., No. 02-88-00139-CV (Tex. App.—Fort Worth August 31, 1989, no writ)
H. Wendorf & D. Schlueter, Supplement to Texas Rules of Evidence Manual, 1985

S.G. Johndroe III, now retired concentrate his practice in litigation affecting real estate interests, including condemnation, real property valuations, transactional conflicts, and boundary disputes. He has tried many cases involving real estate issues and has been called upon to provide expert testimony with regard to land titles as well as to act as a mediator in the resolution of real property disputes. In addition to his trial work, Mr. Johndroe handled many cases at the appellate level, presenting oral arguments to appellate courts in over thirty cases. In addition to appearing before Texas Courts of Appeals, he has argued before the Supreme Court of Texas, the Fifth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals, and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Eminent Domain/Property Rights
B.A., Yale University – 1967
J.D., University of Texas School of Law – 1970
jjohndroe@canteyhanger.com
(817) 877-2871
(817) 877-2807
600 W. 6th St., Suite 300
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC v. El Halcon Investment LLC, No. 11-14-00164-CV, 2016 WL 4710445 (Tex. App.–Eastland July 29, 2016)
State v. Stockton Bend 100 Joint Venture, No. 02-14-00307-CV, 2016 WL 3198960 (Tex. App.- Fort Worth June 9, 2016)
Rischon Development Corp. v. City of Keller, 242 S.W.3d 161 (Tex. App.–Fort Worth 2007, pet. denied), cert. denied, 129 S.Ct. 501, 172 L.Ed.2d 359, 2008 LEXIS 8056, 77 U.S.L.W. 3265 (U.S. 2008)
Denton County v. Tarrant County, 139 S.W.3d 22 (Tex. App.- Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied)
Tarrant County v. Denton County, 87 S.W.3d 159 (Tex. App.- Fort Worth 2002, pet. denied)
In re Tarrant County, 16 S.W.3d 914 (Tex. App.-Fort Worth 2000, pet. denied)
Brown v. State, 984 S.W.2d 348 (Tex. App.-Fort Worth 1999, pet. denied)
MCI Telecomms. Corp. v. Texas Utils. Elec. Co., 995 S.W.2d 647 (Tex. 1999)
Gorrell v. Texas Utils. Elec. Co., 954 S.W.2d 767 (Tex. 1997)
Smith v. Armstrong, 383 F. Supp. 365 (N.D.Tex. 1974)
Estate of Wilson v. Wilson, 587 S.W.2d 674 (Tex. 1979)
Texas Electric Service Co. v. Wheeler, 551 S.W.2d 341 (Tex. 1977)
Texas Electric Service Co. v. Dyer, 680 S.W.2d 883 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1984, n.r.e.)
Texas Electric Service Co. v. Swaim, 590 S.W.2d 788 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1979, n.r.e.)
Texas Electric Service Co. v. Nix, 575 S.W.2d 304 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1978, n.r.e.)
Texas Electric Service Co. v. Ragle, 559 S.W.2d 454 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1977, n.r.e.)
Texas Electric Service Co. v. Nelon, 546 S.W.2d 864 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1977, n.r.e.)
Texas Electric Service Co. v. West, 560 S.W.2d 769 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1977, n.r.e.)
Represented landowners and obtained 1 million + jury verdict in Parker County case involving condemnation for electric transmission lines.
Obtained 1.5 million settlement in Parker County involving condemnation case for a gas pipeline.
Obtained 1.2 million jury verdict in Hood County involving condemnation case for a highway taking.
Obtained an over 1.1 million dollar jury verdict for landowner in an eminent domain jury trial against the State of Texas in Hood County.
Obtained $4.9 million settlement for landowners in condemnation case involving city airport
Obtained $3.6 million settlement for property owners in condemnation case involving shopping center
Board Certified Civil Trial Law, Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1980
Licensed to practice law in Texas in 1970
Admitted to U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit – 1975
Admitted to U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas – 1970
Admitted to U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas – 1975
Admitted to U.S. District Court Western District of Texas – 1980
Admitted to United States Supreme Court – 2008
Admitted to Guantanamo Bay Naval Bar Association – 1973
Texas Bar Foundation, Life Member
Tarrant County Bar Association, Life Member
Recognized as a “Texas Super Lawyer” in Eminent Domain by Texas Monthly Magazine in the special September/October issue, 2018-2020.
Named “Top Attorney in Texas”, Texas Monthly Magazine, 2012
Named “Super Lawyer in Eminent Domain” by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters rating service, 2011 – 2016
Selected as a “Top Attorney” by Fort Worth Magazine, 2012
Martindale Hubbell “AV” Rating – For over 35 years, 1980 – 2016
Fort Worth Business Press – one of twelve “Power Attorneys in Tarrant County”, 2008
Served on Fort Worth Cancer Society and Fort Worth YMCA Metropolitan boards of directors
Served in the United States Marine Corps, active duty, 1970-1973
“2013 Texas Legislative Update” IRWA Seminar “Hot Topics in Real Estate and Eminent Domain”, April 26, 2013
“Senate Bill 18”, International Right of Way Seminar, Arlington, Texas 2011.
“Recent Developments in Texas Eminent Domain Law,” Lorman’s Eminent Domain for Attorneys, Dallas Texas, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
“Texas Case Law Update”, 2008 Annual Program on Planning, Zoning and Eminent Domain by the Center for American and International Law, Plano Texas
“Recent Development in Texas Eminent Domain Law,” 2007 Lorman Eminent Domain Seminar
“Whittington and Public Purpose,” 2007 CLE International Eminent Domain Seminar
“Condemnation of Gas Pipeline Easements,” Fort Worth Business Press Barnett Shale Symposium (2006)
“Elements of Damage for a Property with Potential for Development: A Guide for Appraisers and Attorneys,” Chapter 13, Institute on Planning, Zoning and Eminent Domain (1993) Southwestern Legal Foundation