Municipalities & Governmental Law

Governmental entities and local municipalities face daily challenges that require specialized legal advice and analysis.  With increasing responsibilities and financial constraints, these legal challenges can easily overwhelm municipal resources.

The Randle Law Office Ltd., L.L.P. represents governmental entities and local municipalities throughout Texas in a wide range of litigation and regulatory matters, and regularly counsels local governments in relation to other municipal issues, such as land development and zoning.

Land Development and Low Impact Development

Our attorneys have significant experience handling real estate law and land development matters in both the private and public sectors.  We have represented governments and municipalities, including city councils and local planning and zoning agencies, in connection with a wide variety of legal matters arising in the course of land development, including: condemnation and eminent domain matters and litigation, administrative hearings and appeals related to zoning, conditional use permits, variances, and other matters.

Economic Development and Low Impact Development

The greater Houston region is continuing to experience robust and widespread growth, which has implications for several areas of local governance, from tax revenues to city codes, as we have seen in our municipal law practice. Economic development can incorporate smart planning, including low impact development (LID), which has gained attention in this flood-prone region. The objectives of LID planning include flood control and beautification.

LID applications are designed for new and existing developments, and these eco-friendly approaches include installing bioswales, which are channels of vegetation that collect and filter stormwater. Other examples of LID applications are green roofs, rainwater harvesting, pervious paving, rain gardens, native plantings, road design and wetlands preservation. Low Impact Development can enhance the appeal and value of economic development and communities.

Acting City Attorneys and Outside Counseling Services

Municipalities deal with a host of legal issues related to governance and operational matters.  Like businesses, local cities and counties enter into contractual relationships for services and equipment purchases, own real property, and trademarks (such as government seals), are employers, and are frequently named as defendants in lawsuits.  Unlike businesses, however, governmental entities are subject to distinct laws which constrain their actions, and govern how and when governmental entities can be sued.

We understand the myriad of specific laws and regulations constraining municipal actions and governing lawsuits against governmental bodies, and assist municipal clients by providing creative and practical solutions to the legal challenges they face.  We currently represent the city of Arcola, the city of Angleton, the city of Brazos Country, the city of Fulshear, the city of Meadows Place, the city of Mont Belvieu, the city of Rosenberg, and the city of Plum Grove, and we have represented the city of Baytown, the city of Hedwig Village, the city of Hunters Creek Village, the city of Kenefick, the city of Oak Ridge North, the city of Pearland, and the city of Cresson in ad hoc litigation.

Experience and Issues Handled

While representing municipalities the Firm has handled various municipal issues, such as the following:

To find out how our team of attorneys can assist your organization, contact the Randle Law Office Ltd., L.L.P. today.