Philip Arnold represents private and public entity clients in litigation matters with a principal area of practice in eminent domain litigation and right of way acquisition.
He has counseled Texas counties and municipalities in a variety of local governmental issues, including eminent domain litigation; real estate transactional and title issues; water law litigation; redistricting; U.S.C. § 1983 Civil Rights defense; drafting Interlocal Agreements, Tax Rebate Zones (TRZs) and Economic Development Agreements.
Prior to entering private practice, Philip worked for eight years in the Transportation Division of the Office of the Texas Attorney General where he litigated hundreds of cases involving eminent domain, tort, and State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) cases. He also served as the project manager for the Interstate Highway 69 and FM 2234 project in Fort Bend County.
After graduating from law school, Philip worked as a Staff Attorney for Bexar County Civil District Court Administration, and as a landman/title researcher for an oil company in South Texas.
The Best Lawyers in America©, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2024-2026
Austin Bar Association, Eminent Domain Section, Founder and Chair, 2021-present; History and Traditions Committee, 2019-present; LGBT Section, Secretary 2021-present
University of Texas School of Law, Moot Court Competition Judge, 2008-2016
Austin Bar Association, Legal Clinic Volunteer, 2010; Women’s Resource Clinic Volunteer, 2009-2012
Austin Young Lawyers Association, Attorney General Liaison, 2008-2009
Bid Process, 67th Annual County Auditors Institute, April 2025
Texas Interlocal Cooperation Agreements, 67th Annual V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Courts, February 2025
County Purchasing, 90th Annual South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Conference, June 2024
County Purchasing, 95th Annual West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Conference, April 2024
Public Information Act Requests, 66th Annual County Auditors Institute, April 2024
Recent Trends in Eminent Domain, TexasBarCLE 35th Annual Advanced Government Law Course, August 2023
Tax Abatement and Economic Development Agreements, North and East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Conference, July 2023
Eminent Domain 101, 2023 Texas City Attorneys Association Summer Conference, June 2023
County Purchasing Act, 65th Annual V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Courts, February 2023
Bidding and Purchasing Requirements, South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Annual Conference, June 2022
Public Information Act, 93rd Annual West Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association Conference, April 2022
The Limits of Commissioners Court Authority, 64th Annual V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Courts, February 2022
Ultra Vires Claims, Texas Association of Community College Attorneys 2022 Virtual Conference, January 2022
Open Meetings Act and Walking Quorums, District 10 Judges & Commissioners Conference, December 2021
Open Meetings Act and Walking Quorums, 16th Annual District 12 Continuing Education Conference for County Judges & Commissioners, December 2021
County Purchasing Basics, 63rd Annual V.G. Young School for County Commissioners Courts, February 2021
Eminent Domain 101, Texas Association of Community College Attorneys 2021 Virtual Conference, January 2021
Advanced Government Law – Government Law Bootcamp, CLE, 2017
Attacking and Defending Real Estate Appraisals, CLE, 2016 and 2017
Where Have We Come Since Schmidt? (Co-Presenter with Matthew Bohuslav and Elsa Ulloa), Eminent Domain Super Conference, Eminent Domain Institute – CLE International, 2013 and 2015