Spencer Fane attorneys represent parties on all sides of the land acquisition process in eminent domain law, thoughtfully and thoroughly building cases that achieve a desirable outcome for all stakeholders involved in a potentially contentious process.
Our experience working on both sides of eminent domain and condemnation matters gives our attorneys beneficial insight into the point of view and potential arguments of the opposition. Whether representing the property owner or condemning authority, we take time to understand the client’s needs and concerns and how they align with the considerations of various stakeholders, including city councils, school boards, or other governmental entities. Our attorneys understand that property owners can have an extremely personal connection to their land that can’t be expressed in a description or monetary offer of compensation.
Our clients include individual landowners, developers, public utility providers, counties, municipalities, school districts, urban renewal authorities, special districts, and more. We guide clients through every stage of condemnation cases — from preliminary negotiations for the acquisition of property, to notification processes, to the institution of condemnation proceedings, to the ultimate determination of compensation through litigation, administrative hearings, and resulting appeals. Our team has been involved in major condemnation proceedings for the acquisition of land for a variety of uses, including a multicounty lake project, light rail systems, redevelopment projects, and processing, industrial, and other large facilities. We have represented property owners in defense of utility expansions and public facilities construction that had the potential to impact future development of the land involved.
We walk clients through the specifics of each matter with a focus on pursuing the most effective course of action to protect their interests, candidly advising them on the recommended course of action related to the given scenario.