Overview

Matt Hansen’s practice focuses on all facets of eminent domain law, from consulting with agency clients early in the design process to pre-litigation negotiations, condemnation litigation, trials and appeals. As a proven trial attorney, Matt has considerable experience representing municipal and private property owner clients in mediations, arbitrations and in trials, including a substantial number of condemnation jury trials. Matt has litigated cases throughout Washington state and has successfully argued cases before the Washington State Court of Appeals.

Matt has led the majority of his cases to settlement before they reach trial, but in those instances where trial has become necessary, Matt has achieved favorable jury verdicts for his clients in some the region’s largest and most complex valuation disputes.

Matt is a frequent speaker on legal issues involving eminent domain law and has served as author and editor for several state and national legal treaties on the topic. He is a past president of the Puget Sound Chapter of the International Right of Way Association and has served the larger association as chair of its International Ethics Committee. Matt has been selected every year since 2013 for inclusion to the Washington Super Lawyers list.

In addition to his significant experience in condemnation law, Matt’s experience includes representing and counseling clients in all aspects of real property litigation, commercial litigation and commercial landlord-tenant law—including lease negotiations, disputes and unlawful detainer actions.

Experience

Experience

Successfully represented local transit authority in a significant multi-day arbitration surrounding larger parcel valuation issues tied to loss of parking. Arbitration awarded at client’s valuation evidence and was approximately $11 million less in just compensation than argued by the property owner.

Obtained a unanimous jury verdict matching our client’s valuation evidence exactly in a multi-week, 30-party, 100-percent virtual condemnation trial. The local transit authority client needed to acquire the right to amend restrictive covenants to allow it to construct and operate its light rail project and the total valuation dispute was more than $5.5 million in just compensation. No fees or costs awarded to property owners. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Successfully tried one of the first social-distanced pandemic jury trials in Washington over the condemnation of several permanent and temporary rights abutting the building frontage of one of the region’s largest airlines to allow the local transit authority to construct and operate its light rail project. The parties’ valuations were hundreds of thousands of dollars apart and the jury returned a verdict in our client’s favor. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented regional transit agency in a multi-day condemnation trial to acquire property rights needed to construct its light rail construction project. The trial involved a dispute over the highest and best use of the property and the court awarded just compensation matching the transit agency’s valuation evidence of more than $1 million less than owner’s just compensation. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (Bench Trial)

Represented transit agency in a multi-week condemnation trial. The trial involved a dispute over whether or not the transit agency’s light rail station specially benefited the property due to its proximity and a recent upzone of the property. The jury determined the property was specially benefitted by light rail and returned verdict matching the transit agency’s valuation evidence and $1.4 million less than the owner’s valuation. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented transit agency in a multi-week condemnation trial. The trial involved a dispute over whether or not the transit agency’s light rail station specially benefited the adjacent property due to proximity. The jury determined the property was specially benefitted by light rail and returned a verdict that did not exceed the transit agency’s pretrial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented local transit authority in condemnation trial for light rail station project. A petitioner’s verdict of more than $9 million less than owner’s just compensation evidence was awarded by the court. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (Bench Trial)

Represented local transit authority in condemnation trial for light rail expansion project. Jury returned verdict that did not exceed the transit authority’s pretrial settlement offer and ultimately offset the just compensation award for a special benefits credit. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented local transit authority in condemnation trial for light rail station project. A just compensation award of more than $3 million less than owner’s just compensation evidence was awarded by the court. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (Bench Trial)

Represented local transit authority in condemnation trial for light rail expansion project. A just compensation award for the same amount as petitioner’s valuation evidence was granted by the court. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (Bench Trial)

Represented local transit authority in three-week condemnation trial for light rail expansion project adjacent to a limited service hotel near SeaTac Airport. Jury returned verdict for nearly $1.5 million less than property owner’s just compensation evidence. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented local transit authority in multi-week condemnation trial for light rail expansion project involving a property owner claim of significant damages associated with excessive noise, vibration, and visual impacts. Jury returned verdict that did not exceed the transit authority’s pretrial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented local transit authority in multi-week condemnation trial for light rail expansion project. Jury returned verdict in less than two hours for an award that did not exceed the transit authority’s pretrial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented local transit authority in multi-week condemnation trial for commuter rail expansion project. Property owner argued just compensation of $16.6+ million. Jury returned verdict of $11.3 million. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented property owner in multi-week condemnation trial for city roadway expansion project. Property owner awarded just compensation of nearly four times the amount argued by the city’s expert appraiser. Property owner was awarded fees and costs in defending action. (12-Person Jury Trial)

Represented a property owner who had several acres of prime residential subdivision land condemned by the The verdict exceeded the County’s best pre-trial offer by more than $3,000,000. (Bench Trial)

Represented a major forest products manufacturer in an eminent domain action. Manufacturer held a leasehold interest in property along the Blair Waterway at the Port of Tacoma. The highest offer before trial was $5 million. Our client recovered $12 million. (12-Person Jury)

Insights

Publications

  • Part Eighteen: Eminent Domain
    (2006-2020 edits; 2004 original materials) | King County Bar Association, Washington Lawyers Practice Manual

Speaking Engagements

  • Arguing the Reasonable Probability of a Rezone
    The Seminar Group, 14th Annual Cutting-Edge Issues in Condemnation
    10.2024
  • Top Legal Topics in Eminent Domain
    Appraisal Institute Seattle Chapter, Annual Fall Real Estate Conference
    11.2023
  • Case Study – Unit Rule, Cumulative Appraisals, Larger Parcel and More!
    International Right of Way Association Puget Sound Chapter
    02.2023
  • Valuing Encumbrances – Issues to Watch for, Grey Areas in the Law and Potential Pitfalls to Avoid
    The Seminar Group, Cutting-Edge Issues in Condemnation
    11.2022
  • Legal Hot Topics
    International Right of Way Association, Right-of-Way Symposium
    10.2022
  • Condemnation 101 for the Condemnor
    American Public Works Association, Washington Chapter Fall Conference
    10.2022
  • Lessons Learned from Virtual Eminent Domain Trials
    International Right of Way Association Boise Chapter
    03.2022
  • Valuation of Restrictive Covenants: A Case Study
    International Right of Way Association Puget Sound Chapter, Monthly Membership Program
    09.2021

Organizations

Community & Professional

International Right of Way Association – Certified Legal Instructor; International Ethics Committee, Past Chair; Puget Sound Chapter, Past President

King County Bar Association, Member

Washington State Bar Association – Litigation Section, Member

American Bar Association – Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Litigation Committee, Washington State Liaison; Litigation Section, Member

Housing Justice Project, King County Bar Association, Volunteer Attorney

Honors

Honors & Recognitions

Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® (Seattle, WA) – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2022-Present

Professional of the Year, International Right of Way Association Region 7 (Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Alaska and Montana), 2016

Professional of the Year, International Right of Way Association Puget Sound Chapter, 2011

Selected to the Washington State Super Lawyers list, 2013-present,

Selected as a Rising Star, 2010 and 2012

Education

Admissions

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