Press Releases Sep 28, 2020
Partner John E. Brown Receives James H. Krieger Meritorious Service Award
Riverside County Bar Association Honors Long-Term Community Service
Acquiring property through the exercise of eminent domain can be a controversial and highly politicized process. Legal requirements must be met, procedures must be followed, environmental issues often arise, and property owners must be treated fairly and receive just compensation. Assuring that all these requirements are met requires skilled and knowledgeable counsel.
Best Best & Krieger LLP’s Eminent Domain practice group provides comprehensive guidance on all aspects of eminent domain and inverse condemnation, and litigating disputes when they arise. We have decades of experience representing all types of public agencies, including cities, counties, transportation agencies, school districts, water districts and other special districts in property acquisitions for public projects and infrastructure development. We also act for property owners and businesses in connection with public agency acquisitions of their property.
Shaping California’s Eminent Domain Law
Our eminent domain lawyers have handled thousands of acquisitions throughout California for every type of public project, including schools, highways, rail transit, blight removal, public housing, flood control facilities, private utility systems, water lines and reservoirs, parks, dams, endangered species habitats, power transmission, airports and courthouses. We are experienced in resolving all of the issues that can arise throughout the complex eminent domain process — from “right-to-take” challenges to high-stakes valuation and just-compensation disputes to inverse condemnation/regulatory taking claims. Our skilled litigators have represented clients in all forums, from public hearings to the courtroom, in trials and on appeal. We have secured numerous published court decisions and legislative changes that have helped shape eminent domain law in California.
Proactive Guidance and Comprehensive Representation
BB&K takes a proactive approach, advising clients from the pre-project planning stage through project completion, identifying and resolving issues and potential risks quickly, creatively and effectively. Working collaboratively with lawyers throughout the firm, we are able to leverage the knowledge and experience needed to successfully and cost-efficiently address all real estate, land use, environmental and other challenges that our clients face.
The Eminent Domain team advises and assists with:
- Project planning and implementation
- Site selection and property acquisition, including pre-condemnation rights of entry for testing and surveying
- Property appraisals
- Statutory and regulatory requirements
- Environmental compliance and land use issues
- Review and preparation of purchase offers, developer agreements, licenses, leases, easements and deeds
- Documentation for voluntary acquisitions
- Preparing and obtaining Resolutions of Necessity
- Prejudgment possession and eminent domain litigation
- Relocation assistance
We regularly work with outside experts, such as appraisers, community relations consultants, relocation agents, title/escrow officers, geotechnical experts, and environmental consultants and engineers to assure a smooth process and the best possible outcome for our clients.
Authored Articles & Publications Jul 06, 2020
COVID-19 Orders: Government Takings?
In Law360, BB&K's Gene Tanaka and Emily Chaidez Evaluate if COVID-19 Orders are Temporary Takings
Press Releases Mar 31, 2020
Congratulations to the San Diego Super Lawyers 2020 Honorees
Including San Diego Super Lawyers Rising Star Recognition
Legal Alerts Mar 26, 2020
Takings Claim Fails on “Ripeness” Grounds
Ninth Circuit Decision in Apartment-Condominium Conversion Program Dispute
Press Releases Mar 10, 2020
Six BB&K Attorneys Named San Diego Top Lawyers 2020
San Diego Magazine’s Annual List
Authored Articles & Publications Oct 23, 2019
Takings Decision by SCOTUS Expected to Create More Litigation for Public Agencies
Partner Gene Tanaka Analyzes Knick v. Scott in Law360
Legal Alerts Jun 25, 2019
Inverse Condemnation Cases May be Filed in Federal Court
Impact on Public Agencies from SCOTUS Knick v. Township of Scott, Pennsylvania Decision
Press Releases Jun 12, 2019
IRWA Inland Empire Chapter Names BB&K Employer of the Year
Recognized for Chapter 57 Participation and Support
Authored Articles & Publications May 22, 2019
Expert Witnesses: Effective Questioning
Litigator Scott Ditfurth Shares Best Practices in Riverside Lawyer
Authored Articles & Publications May 22, 2019
Rooms with a View: Cross-Examining Experts in Depositions
BB&K Partner Mark Easter Walks Us Through the House of Depositions in Riverside Lawyer Magazine
Press Releases May 13, 2019
BB&K One of 200 Largest Law Firms in the U.S.
Law360 Annual Ranking Reflects Firm’s Continued Recent Growth
Press Releases Apr 10, 2019
Five BB&K Partners Named to 2019 San Diego Super Lawyers List
All Are Returning to the Annual List
Press Releases Mar 18, 2019
Six BB&K Attorneys Named Top Lawyers in San Diego
Annual List Based on Martindale-Hubbell Ratings
BB&K In the News Feb 27, 2019
American Lawyer Discusses BB&K Growth Last Year
Firm Expands to Meet Client Demand
Press Releases Jan 04, 2019
BB&K Named IRWA Sacramento Employer of the Year
Recognized for Support of Organization
Press Releases Dec 19, 2018
Cities’ Struggles to Meet Obligations Are Real — BB&K Municipal Law Team Grows to Help
New and Expanded Services and More Attorneys and Staff Added in 2018
Press Releases Jun 18, 2018
Partner Mark Easter Named IRWA Professional of the Year
Honored by Inland Empire Chapter of the International Right of Way Association
Event Apr 18, 2018
2018 Federal Civil Practice Seminar
Federal Bar Association Inland Empire Chapter
Press Releases Apr 13, 2018
San Diego Super Lawyers 2018
Five BB&K Attorneys Recognized on Annual List
Authored Articles & Publications Feb 27, 2018
Pre-Condemnation Depositions of Appraisers
Partner Christopher Pisano Shares Right to Take Trial Strategy in IRWA Sacramento Newsletter
Event Jan 19, 2018
Planning, Zoning, and Development Law – A Heapin’ Helping of Housing, and So Much More
Land Use Law and Planning Conference 2018 Program
Event Jan 18, 2018
The Paralegal – A Key Member of the Eminent Domain Team
CLE International’s Eminent Domain Conference
Press Releases Jan 02, 2018
Five Attorneys Named to Partnership
BB&K Announces Promotions
Legal Alerts Dec 21, 2017
New California Coastal Laws for 2018
Development, Accommodations, Sea Rise and Public Access
Event Nov 09, 2017
Inverse Condemnation -- or Is It?
Appraisal Institute's 50th Annual Litigation Seminar
Videos Jun 28, 2017
Gregory Snarr Video Bio
Associate
Legal Alerts Jun 14, 2017
New Filing Deadline for JPAs Approaches
JPAs Providing Municipal Services Must File with LAFCOs by July 1
Videos Jun 08, 2017
Scott Ditfurth Video Bio
Partner
Event Apr 25, 2017
25th Annual Valuation Seminar
IRWA Los Angeles Chapter 1
Press Releases Apr 25, 2017
Business Litigator Christopher Deal Joins BB&K’s Irvine Office
New Partner Brings In-House Experience
Event Apr 04, 2017
Anatomy of an Appraiser's Deposition
3rd Annual IRWA Chapter 57 and SCCAI Joint Luncheon and Program
Client Successes Mar 29, 2017
State Route 91 Express Lanes
BB&K Helped RCTC Pave the Way
Press Releases Mar 23, 2017
BB&K Breaks on to Los Angeles Business Journal’s Top Law Firms List
Firm’s Los Angeles Office Makes Debut at No. 173
Event Feb 09, 2017
Eminent Domain Conference
CLE International
Press Releases Jan 20, 2017
San Diego Super Lawyers and Rising Stars 2017
Congratulations to the BB&K Attorneys Recognized for their Work
BB&K Event Jan 19, 2017
From Code Compliance to Fighting Fire-Traps: How to Deal with Dangerous Dwellings in Your City
Free Three-Part Webinar Series: Jan. 19., Jan. 26 and Feb. 2
Legal Alerts Jan 18, 2017
The Trump Infrastructure Plan
How BB&K Can Help Your Agency Position and Respond
Videos Nov 30, 2016
Elizabeth Hull Video Bio
Partner
Videos Nov 30, 2016
John Holloway Video Bio
Partner
Videos Nov 18, 2016
John Brown Video Bio
Partner
Videos Nov 18, 2016
Lauren Strickroth Video Bio
Partner
Videos Nov 18, 2016
Richard T. Egger Video Bio
Partner
Authored Articles & Publications Oct 10, 2016
Best in Law: Want to Cut Legal Costs? Avoid Litigation
BB&K Partner Lauren Strickroth Provides Litigation Cost-Saving Tips in the Press-Enterprise
Event Sep 13, 2016
Case Study on Water Quality Driven Projects in Orange County
IRWA Orange County Chapter 67
Client Successes Jul 26, 2016
California Supreme Court Sides with Public Agencies on Precondemnation Access Issue
BB&K Partner Kendall MacVey Filed Amicus Curiae Brief
Legal Alerts Jul 21, 2016
California Supreme Court Reverses Ruling on Right-of-Entry Statutes
Reversal Allows Public Agencies to Access Properties for Necessary Inspections and Testing Prior to Eminent Domain Actions
Press Releases Jul 06, 2016
Three BB&K Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers in Coachella Valley
Palm Springs Life Magazine’s Annual List Includes Partners Robert Hargreaves, Douglas Phillips and G. Henry Welles
Event Mar 10, 2016
Hot Topics in Public Infrastructure & Right of Way
Public Works Officers Institute & Expo
Press Releases Feb 29, 2016
Partner Kendall H. MacVey and BB&K Honored by Federal Bar Association, Inland Empire Chapter
A Founding Member and Past President, MacVey Hailed for Dedication and Leadership
Event Feb 26, 2016
Multi-Parcel Acquisition Programs and Prejudgment Possession
CLE International’s Southern California Eminent Domain Conference
Press Releases Jan 26, 2016
Seven BB&K Attorneys Recognized by 2016 San Diego Super Lawyers Magazine
Five Partners on Super Lawyers List, Two Additional Attorneys on the Super Lawyers Rising Stars List