Eminent Domain Report

We recently detailed Senate Bill 254, which overhauls California’s approach to wildfires. In addition to promoting new transmission facilities, replenishing the wildfire fund, streamlining the siting process and exempting underground plans, there was a notable addition that has not received as much attention: the Natural Catastrophe Resilience Study. There’s a great article by Travis Ritchie, California Wonders if it is Doing Wildfire Risk All Wrong, that covers this topic. In particular, he notes that utilities in California are vulnerable to wildfire liability ...

For the third year in a row, our attorneys have outlined key trends and issues shaping the water landscape in Nossaman’s California Water Views – 2025 Outlook. Topics range from the effects of climate change on water availability and infrastructure to critical updates in legislative and regulatory frameworks. The publication not only provides insight into developments at the state level but also addresses how decisions from Sacramento, Washington, DC and across the U.S. are influencing California’s water sector. … 

On April 21, 2021, I will be participating in the sixth annual International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Chapter 57 and Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute's (SCCAI) Virtual Joint Meeting. I will be a co-presenter discussing "Project Benefits - Do They Ever Apply, and If So, How Are Benefits Supported?" during which we will cover project benefits and their significance in the eminent domain arena. This program will also include:

• The statutory and case law landscape that gives rise to the issue of project benefits, when and how they may apply and methods and ...