2026 California Eminent Domain Seminars
We hosted our Southern California Eminent Domain Seminar in Costa Mesa on April 21, 2026, and our Northern California Eminent Domain Seminar in Berkeley on April 28, 2026. These complimentary programs focused on current issues involving right of way, property acquisitions and eminent domain.
Attendees had the chance to participate in Q&A sessions with each panel, as well as network with colleagues during lunch and an evening reception.
Agenda
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Registration and Lunch
12:30 – 12:35 p.m. | Opening Remarks
12:35 – 1:25 p.m. | Temporary Construction Easements: A discussion on planning and drafting TCEs to avoid pitfalls and impacts on valuation
Bernadette Duran-Brown, Partner, Nossaman LLP
Jillian Friess Leivas, Associate, Nossaman LLP
Eric Schneider, Principal, Schneider Valuation Consultants, Inc.
1:30 – 2:25 p.m. | Inverse Condemnation and Disaster: An exploration of the interplay of natural and man-made disasters and potential liability to public entities
Patrick Richard, Partner, Nossaman LLP
Aleene Madikians, Associate, Nossaman LLP
2:25 – 2:40 p.m. | Break
2:40 – 3:35 p.m. | Highest and Best Use and Project Influence: An examination of legal constraints and appraisal judgments that shape just compensation under California eminent domain law
David Graeler, Managing Partner, Nossaman LLP
Artin Shaverdian, Partner, Nossaman LLP
John Ellis, Executive Vice President, Valuation & Advisory Services (VAS), CBRE
3:40 – 4:30 p.m. | Eminent Domain Year in Review: An overview of key 2025 case law and new legislation shaping eminent domain and closely related right-of-way issues
Robin Thornton, Partner, Nossaman LLP
Phyillis Macharia, Associate, Nossaman LLP
4:30 – 6:00 p.m. | Networking Reception
