California Eminent Domain Lawyers Providing Unyielding Advocacy

At the Eminent Domain Law Center, we harness our extensive experience to help guide the commercial and industrial property owners throughout California through the complexities of eminent domain law. Our practice is exclusively dedicated to eminent domain cases. This focus has helped us hone our skills as effective litigators who collaborate with a network of seasoned experts. With the Eminent Domain Law Center, you will gain access to informed, comprehensive legal counsel.

We are Jeffrey Weber and Lev Zartarian, and we stand at the forefront of our eminent domain practice. We have consistently delivered the desired results for our clients, successfully challenging formidable state agencies and navigating the intricacies of eminent domain. Our approach is straightforward: We educate, communicate and litigate with tenacity. Our clients benefit from our commitment to understanding their unique situations and crafting strategies that leverage our deep understanding of land acquisition laws. Whether through negotiation or trial, we are prepared to aggressively pursue the best outcomes possible, ensuring that you obtain the fair compensation you deserve.

Who We Represent: Protecting Your Investments

Our clients include owners of diverse properties, such as industrial plants, retail spaces, multifamily residential complexes and office buildings. We understand that the compulsory acquisition of property by a public entity disrupts not just your business operations but also your plans for the future. International commercial property owners may be more familiar with terms such as expropriation, resumption or compulsory acquisition. In California, the process of a public entity acquiring private property for public use is most commonly referred to as “eminent domain.”

Understanding Eminent Domain

Eminent domain is the power that state and federal governments have to acquire private land for public use. Situations in which eminent domain may be invoked include:

• Construction of highways and transportation infrastructures
• Development of public schools and hospitals
• Expansion of water treatment and sewer systems
• Installation of energy facilities and pipelines
• Enhancement of public parks and recreational areas

The eminent domain process begins with an appraisal of the property and an offer made to the property owner. If the parties cannot agree on the compensation, then the case may proceed to court. Having an attorney by your side will be crucial in navigating this process effectively, ensuring that your rights are protected and your interests are vigorously defended.

In California, the law entitles property owners to “just compensation” when their property is taken under eminent domain. This compensation should reflect the fair market value of the property, considering its highest and best use. As eminent domain attorneys, our goal is to ensure that you receive every dollar you deserve for your property.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eminent Domain In California

At the Eminent Domain Law Center, you can trust us to represent your interests and keep you well informed. See below for answers to questions that we hear most often as eminent domain attorneys.

What is the difference between eminent domain and condemnation?

Eminent domain refers to the power to take private property for public use, while condemnation is the legal process through which the government exercises this power. Essentially, condemnation is the action, and eminent domain is the authority behind it.

What are examples of public use?

Public use includes projects that will benefit the community at large. Examples of public use could be the construction of schools, highways, public transportation systems, parks and government buildings. Utilities infrastructures such as electric power lines, water supply systems and telecommunications also qualify as public use since they serve the essential needs of the community.

How long could my case take?

The duration of an eminent domain case depends on the complexity of the situation and the specifics of the property or business involved. Factors that influence the duration include the government’s efficiency, the property’s characteristics, the nature of any business operations and whether legal challenges arise during the process.

What projects are affecting Californians?

A significant project currently impacting property owners in Southern California is the Twenty-Eight by ’28 initiative, a plan to complete 28 major transportation projects in the state of California by the year 2028, in time for the Summer Olympics, which the city of Los Angeles will host.

Other key projects include:

• High-Speed Rail: Connecting San Francisco to Los Angeles
• Delta Conveyance Project: Modernizing water infrastructure
• I-15 Corridor Project: Expanding transportation in Southern California
• Inglewood Transit Connector: Enhancing L.A.’s public transit

In addition, there are plans for new housing developments and renovations to sports complexes and other facilities that will be used during the Olympics.

Can eminent domain be stopped in California?

While eminent domain is a powerful government right, it is not absolute. Property owners in California can challenge eminent domain proceedings on several grounds, including the following:

• Public use requirement: States that the government must prove that the taking serves a legitimate public purpose
• Procedural violations: Occurs when proper procedures were not followed, such as inadequate notice or failure to negotiate in good faith
• Necessity challenge: Raises questions regarding whether the specific property is necessary for the project
• Excessive taking: Involves the government attempting to acquire more property than needed for the stated public use

Successfully stopping eminent domain completely is difficult without experienced legal representation.

What types of property owners does Eminent Domain Law Center represent?

We focus exclusively on commercial property owners and business owners, including:

• Shopping center owners
• Office building investors
• Industrial property owners
• Retail business operators
• Manufacturing facilities
• Restaurant owners and franchisees
• Hotel and hospitality businesses
• Agricultural and farm operations
• Development companies

This exclusive focus on commercial property allows us to develop tailored strategies for the specific valuation methods, business damages and relocation challenges that affect business owners. We will understand the true market value of your commercial investment, the goodwill associated with your business location, and how to document and recover every category of compensation you are entitled to under California law.

What relocation costs could my business recover?

When a business is displaced by eminent domain in California, owners may be entitled to substantial relocation benefits beyond just property value. Recoverable relocation costs can include:

• Moving expenses: Physical relocation of inventory, equipment and business assets
• Reestablishment costs: Costs associated with reestablishing your business at a new location
• Searching expenses: Costs involved in finding a suitable replacement property
• Professional services: Expenses for the architects, engineers and consultants needed for the move
• Equipment reinstallation: Costs to disconnect, transport and reconnect machinery and equipment
• License and permit fees: New permits or licenses that are required at the replacement location
• Temporary storage: Storage fees incurred when direct relocation is not immediately possible
• Loss of business goodwill: Compensation for lost profits or customer base due to forced relocation

We will work closely with relocation experts and accountants to help identify and include every eligible expense in your claim.

Can I challenge the condemnation action or the compensation offered in California?

You can challenge a condemnation action or the compensation offered in California. If you believe that the proposed use of your property does not qualify as public use or if you think that the compensation offered does not represent the fair market value of your property, then you have the right to object and seek a more favorable resolution.

California Eminent Domain Lawyers Who Defend Your Property Rights

If you are facing the prospect of eminent domain, contact the Eminent Domain Law Center. We are lawyers who are ready to provide robust representation, whether in person or remotely, across California. Call 949-208-1162 or fill out our online contact form.