Eminent Domain Report

Major infrastructure projects have complicated schedules. Design, environmental review, funding, permitting, utilities and construction all must line up. But one item tends to always get squeezed at the end of the project schedule: acquiring the property rights the project needs. That can be an expensive mistake.

Right-of-way acquisition takes time. Before an agency or utility can obtain possession, it may need to identify the precise property interest required, review title, complete an appraisal, make an offer, negotiate with the owner and, if negotiations are ...

California’s agricultural lands face constant pressure from residential, commercial, and industrial development. One of the state’s primary tools for preserving farmland and open space is the Williamson Act, formally known as the California Land Conservation Act of 1965. Unlike conservation easements, which are often permanent, Williamson Act contracts provide a mechanism for landowners to temporarily restrict development in exchange for favorable property tax treatment.

For landowners, public agencies, and eminent domain practitioners, understanding how these ...

Understanding the acquisition and condemnation process is essential to the successful delivery of infrastructure and public projects. Whether you're new to the right of way profession or simply looking for a refresher, join us for our upcoming webinar, "An Introduction to the Right of Way Acquisition and Condemnation Process," on October 6, 2026.

In our work representing public agencies and other project stakeholders, we regularly see how important it is for project teams to have a clear understanding of the acquisition and condemnation process. While right of way acquisition ...

Most eminent domain lawyers tend to develop their practices on one side of the aisle. Some primarily represent public agencies and utilities acquiring property. Others primarily represent property owners and businesses facing condemnation. My practice has developed differently. For more than two decades, I have regularly represented both. I have represented public agencies and utilities acquiring property for major infrastructure projects, and I have represented property owners and businesses seeking just compensation when their property is taken or affected by those ...

Join us in Riverside, CA on February 7th as we provide an overview of the eminent domain process, along with best practices for right-of-way acquisition, during the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Chapter 57 Membership Luncheon. We’ll cover everything from identifying project alternatives to ultimately acquiring specific property.

We will provide an overview of the entire process and illustrate how all of the individual components work together. In particular, we’ll discuss how to effectively navigate the precondemnation process to position for the ...

Providing listeners a convenient and concise medium to access timely reports on important land use topics, Nossaman’s recent podcast offerings make a great addition to your professional playlist.

First, check out Nossaman’s own Digging Into Land Use Law podcast, which covers the development of all things in, on or above the ground. Recently, I recorded the episode “Valuation and Damages: Assessing COVID-19’s Economic Impact.” Changes in how businesses operate, restrictions on property use and reduced revenues brought on by mandated closures due to COVID-19 have had ...