Eminent Domain & Valuation

We see the lay of the land in California. We have handled some of the largest eminent domain and valuation cases in the state, as well as some of the highest-profile public works that have shaped California’s infrastructure.

Our past successes inform and motivate us as we work closely with our longstanding and newer clients. Our decades of expertise that allow our attorneys to work efficiently on straightforward “bread-and-butter” cases also help us find innovative solutions in more novel “avocado toast” cases.

We experience eminent domain from both sides of the property. We represent public agencies and other acquiring entities in the acquisition of right-of-way and other property. Our work includes major road, rail, flood control, utility and school projects. Our eminent domain lawyers also represent landowners and business owners facing both full and partial takings in a wide variety of contexts. Our public entity clients tend to stay with us for years and even decades. Our property owner and business owner clients recommend us enthusiastically to their colleagues.

The range of our experience empowers us to handle all aspects of condemnation litigation. We guide matters from thoughtful precondemnation planning to final resolution, whether through settlement, jury verdict or published appellate opinion.

From time to time, right-of-way matters and other takings result in litigation. Our eminent domain lawyers have an enviable record of trial success, including many multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. We have successfully litigated eminent domain issues before the California Supreme Court and have won several key appellate decisions. Those appellate decisions have played a major role in shaping the law of eminent domain in California.

We are the go-to attorneys for the most complex eminent domain cases – those involving new or unique legal issues, a multitude of properties, businesses and tenants, a rapid turnaround time or all of the above. We have a deep bench of experienced attorneys in our eminent domain group who have handled thousands of cases and work in offices throughout California and in Nevada. Beyond that are Nossaman’s attorneys all over the country, with legal specialties in environmental law, water rights, title actions and other complementary areas of expertise. And beyond that, our eminent domain lawyers have relationships with preeminent right-of-way consultants, appraisers, civil engineers, environmental experts and other specialists.

Whether a case is small and clear-cut, huge and complicated or somewhere in between, our goal always remains the same: to achieve the very best results for our clients in the most cost-effective manner.

Our attorneys frequently write about all aspects of eminent domain in California, including condemnation, inverse condemnation and regulatory takings, on our blog California Eminent Domain Report. We also keep track of current cases, project announcements, budget issues and legislative reform efforts and report on all major California eminent domain conferences and seminars. We invite you to subscribe so you don't miss our updates!

Noteworthy

"Nossaman is the premier eminent domain counsel and real estate legal consultant for any project involving complex right-of-way acquisition...".  Read more about the recent experience Josh Cosper, Senior Project Manager with Mark Thomas & Company, Inc., had with Nossaman.

Experience

Insights

Blog Posts

Events

Firm News

Podcasts

Multimedia

Guides & Cases

Eminent Domain Resources for Property and Business Owners

What can property and business owners do when faced with eminent domain issues such as condemnation, valuation and compensation? Our guides can answer many of those questions for you. We invite you to review the guides on how eminent domain works, and then contact us for further information.

A Property Owner's Survival Guide		A Business Owner's Survival Guide

Eminent Domain Resources for Public Agencies

LexisNexis Practical Guidance^® Practice Note: Right-of-Way Acquisition Process

Top Three Ways Early Attorney Involvement Will Streamline Your Project Plan

Additional Eminent Domain Materials

Published Appellate Decisions

Representative Cases

Summary of Major Eminent Domain Cases & Legislation – June 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021

Eminent Domain Taxation Information Whitepaper