Nossaman Expands Eminent Domain & Valuation Practice Into Texas with Addition of Renowned Eminent Domain Attorneys Sejin Brooks and Melissa Ferringer

Austin, TX – We are pleased to announce Sejin Brooks and Melissa Ferringer have joined our Eminent Domain & Valuation Group in Nossaman’s Austin office. Sejin and Melissa join as partners.

Before joining Nossaman, Sejin served as partner at Barron, Adler, Clough & Oddo. His practice focuses on eminent domain litigation and real estate transactions involving entities with the power to condemn. He has practiced almost exclusively in the field of eminent domain and acquisitions for nearly two decades and has represented large corporate entities and individual landowners. In addition, he previously served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Office of the Attorney General of Texas, Transportation Division, where he managed litigation regarding the DFW Connector Highway Construction Project (a multi-billion-dollar project in the DFW Metroplex).

Prior to joining Nossaman, Melissa was Assistant County Attorney at the Travis County Attorney’s Office, where she represented Travis County in eminent domain matters.  She has 20 years of litigation experience and focuses her practice on eminent domain, real property, contract disputes and construction law matters. Melissa has successfully litigated and obtained verdicts for her clients, including the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). She also plays an integral role in the pre-condemnation acquisition phase and has successfully represented government entities, including transportation agencies, in multimillion-dollar eminent domain and civil litigation cases. Prior to serving as Assistant County Attorney for Travis County, she was Assistant Attorney General in the Texas Attorney General’s office. She is an active member of the Eminent Domain Section of the Austin Bar Association and the Travis County Women Lawyer’s Association.

“The vast eminent domain experience of Sejin and Melissa and their deep network of contacts—both in Texas and nationally—will serve our clients well,” said Brad Kuhn, chair of Nossaman’s Eminent Domain & Valuation Group. “I am thrilled they have joined the Firm, and I look forward to working with them.”

Nossaman’s Eminent Domain & Valuation Group has handled some of the largest eminent domain and valuation cases in the U.S., as well as some of the highest-profile public works projects that have shaped infrastructure in the region. The Group’s past successes inform and motivate our lawyers as they work closely with longstanding and newer clients. The Group has been recognized for its accomplishments by both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. In 2023, the Group expanded into Arizona with the addition of five attorneys—including former Arizona Assistant AG and Judge, Christopher Kramer.

Commenting on his move to Nossaman, Sejin said, “I am excited to join the Firm, and I look forward to helping the Eminent Domain & Valuation Group grow its practice in Texas and beyond.”

Melissa added, “I can’t wait to work with such a deep, talented team of attorneys and assist clients in successfully mitigating their eminent domain challenges.”

Sejin earned his J.D. with honors from University of Tulsa and his B.A. from University of Oklahoma. He served as a former member of the Oklahoma Child Death Review Board and Board of Directors for “Kids’ Space” Muskogee County Child Advocacy Center. He volunteers with Court School and CASA to teach children how to testify.

Melissa earned her J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law and B.S. from Rochester Institute of Technology. Prior to serving as an Assistant County Attorney for Travis County, she was Assistant Attorney General in the Texas Attorney General’s office and a staff attorney for the Association of Texas Professional Educators.