Billy Coe Dyer

Practice Areas

Dyer is a condemnation lawyer focused on the representation of landowners in eminent domain and condemnation litigation against condemning authorities at the local, county, state and national levels.

A prepared and persuasive advocate in court, Billy has handled cases involving the taking of property improved with office buildings, shopping centers, self-storage facilities, car dealerships, service stations, convenience stores, restaurants, retail spaces and warehouses, hotels, banks, schools, churches, homes, and ranches. He has also represented clients in matters involving the taking of vacant land.

Billy’s notable victories include the Interstate Northborough case in which his landowner client prevailed in the Texas Supreme Court, establishing that the property owner was entitled to recover proximity damages to its remainder property under Texas law. The Supreme Court’s opinion has since been cited by over 300 cases. In another high-profile case, Billy won a $28.9 million verdict for a property owner against the State, which is believed to be the largest jury verdict in a Texas condemnation case.

Prior to joining McFarland, Billy was a partner in the Condemnation Practice Group of Vinson & Elkins with his mentor, H. Dixon Montague. Before entering private practice, Billy completed a federal clerkship for the Honorable Homer Thornberry of the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, an experience that gave him powerful insights on which arguments have traction with the court. He has been board certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1993. During his decades in practice, his work has earned him recognition from multiple publications. He was selected as Best Lawyers of America’s Eminent Domain and Condemnation Lawyer of the Year for Houston in 2017 and 2024.

Awards