Come And Take It, and the Basics of Condemnation in Texas.In 1831, the colony of Gonzales requested a cannon for defense that was granted by the Mexican authorities.  This cannon was a Spanish made bronze six-pounder.  The grant had one condition; the cannon had to be returned when asked.  By 1835, the political climate had…

Join me on January 24, 2025, as I participate in the “Masters of Trial” panel during CLE International’s 27th Annual California Eminent Domain Conference in Irvine, CA. Our panel will discuss effective direct and cross examination of appraisers and other experts.CLE International’s California Eminent Domain Conference provides the opportunity to network with attorneys, appraisers, agency…

Investors and developers scour the Southern California real estate market searching for opportunities to buy dated houses that they can demolish and replace with large, modern homes to sell for much more.  A few individuals likely thought they struck gold after inheriting a small bungalow cottage in Coronado, California with panoramic views of the Bay…

Development Conditions Requiring Off-Site Property Acquisitions Not Subject to Takings Law?We’ve reported in the past that public agencies are more frequently demanding certain off-site public improvements to accommodate proposed private developments as a condition of entitlement approval.  These can range from street widenings to accommodate additional traffic, pump stations for additional water capacity, or flood…

Outline of Changes to Regulations Implementing the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (as amended)The regulations implementing the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (the “Uniform Act” or “Act”) have not been amended since 2005. In 2019, the U.S. Department of Transportation promulgated proposed regulations.…

When a property owner brings a regulatory taking / inverse condemnation claim based on a city or county’s zoning decisions, the owner often provides context and history, including public statements made by staff, board members or city council members.  Are those public statements protected speech and therefore subject to California’s Anti-SLAPP statute?  A recent California…

Eminent Domain Report is a one-stop resource for everything new and noteworthy in eminent domain. We cover all aspects of eminent domain, including condemnation, inverse condemnation and regulatory takings. We also keep track of current cases, project announcements, budget issues, legislative reform efforts and report on all major eminent domain conferences and seminars in the…