California Eminent Domain Report

Planning and constructing large public works projects can take years. When those projects will impact private property, owners are left in a difficult situation, as the cloud of condemnation hangs over their property, making it difficult to lease or sell. When do planning activities for public projects go too far, and trigger inverse condemnation liability? A recent court of appeal decision, Ramsey v. City of Chowchilla (2023 Cal.App. Unpub. LEXIS 2147) provides some clarity on just how much flexibility is afforded to public agencies. ...

April 1st is an important milestone in California’s water year – marking the annual snowpack assessment and related drought determination. In the inaugural issue of Nossaman’s California Water Views – 2023 Outlook, our attorneys and policy advisors who are committed to the water sector identify the pivotal issues they’re watching now and for the year ahead.

Of particular interest to our readers, Brad Kuhn and Jillian Friess Leivas examine whether or not public agencies could face inverse condemnation liability for any flooding-related damages due to the recent storm ...

With all the recent storms in California, private property is bound to suffer impacts from storm water runoff, landslides, erosion and subsidence. Understanding whether the government bears responsibility for such damage is a complex and fact-specific analysis. However, a recent court of appeal decision, Shenson v. County of Contra Costa (2023 Cal. App. LEXIS 244), provides an excellent history on liability in these circumstances, and explains when natural watercourses, drainage improvements, and a public agency’s approval of development can trigger inverse ...

Join us on April 18, 2023 as we present “Right of Way 101 – An Overview of the Condemnation Process” during the International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Chapter 11 Luncheon in San Diego, CA.

Right of way and condemnation is the overarching process that encompasses everything from identifying project alternatives to ultimately acquiring specific property. During this presentation, we will provide an overview of the entire process and illustrate how all of the individual components work together. In particular, they will provide insight into how to effectively navigate ...

Join me on March 16, 2023, in Anaheim, CA for the Masters of Trial panel, “Tips and Tactics for the Courtroom,” during CLE International's 25th Annual Southern California Eminent Domain Conference. My fellow panelists and I will provide insights regarding best practices to use while in the courtroom to achieve favorable results. We’ll explore jury selection, burden of proof, presentation of evidence, trial preparation, jury instructions, demonstrative exhibits and other eminent domain trial related issues.

During this conference, attendees will learn and discuss how ...

We are excited to be hosting our Eminent Domain seminars in person once again! Please join us in San Francisco on March 14th or Costa Mesa on March 28th. These complimentary programs will focus on current issues involving right of way, property acquisitions and eminent domain. Key topics to be covered by our panels of leading industry professionals include:

• Inverse Condemnation and Disaster: Exploring the interplay of natural disaster and potential liability to public entities in cases such as fire and flood;
• Environmental Considerations for Right of Way Acquisition: Identifying ...

The payment of “just compensation” for the taking of private property includes more than merely writing a check to the property owner after a jury determines the current fair market value of the taking. A property owner is entitled to interest on the award of condemnation as well. 

Over the last year, the Federal Reserve has raised its federal funds rate multiple times. In California and Nevada, the interest rate is calculated in very different manners and the increase in the federal funds rate has differing impacts.

California

In California, a property owner is entitled to interest ...

Join us in Austin, TX or virtually for Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation 2023 hosted by American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education (ALI CLE) February 2-4, 2023. This conference will benefit land use, zoning or real estate lawyers, particularly those who may be involved in an eminent domain dispute; appraisers; property valuation consultants; constitutional law enthusiasts; and municipal/local government lawyers.

During “When the SWAT Team Comes (No) Knocking: Police Power Takings” at 9:00 a.m. CT on February 3rd, Steve’s panel will discuss the ...

According to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the answer is a definitive yes. 

Generally speaking, Pullman abstention permits a federal court to stay a federal claim to allow a state court to resolve a state issue that could either eliminate or narrow the scope of the federal claim. In order to invoke Pullman abstention, the federal claim must also touch on a sensitive area of social policy and involve an undecided question of state law.

In Gearing v. City of Half Moon Bay, the Gearings asserted that under California’s Housing Crisis Act and California legislation passed ...

One of the issues that comes up frequently in eminent domain is whether the proceeds a property or business owner will receive from the government is treated as ordinary income, capital gains or is exempt from federal and/or state taxes. And when eminent domain attorneys get that question, they almost always start with the largely unhelpful response of “it depends.” But it really does depend on exactly what the money is, how the property was held, how the money will be used and whether we are talking about state or federal taxes. 

Now, I could spend a lot of time trying to walk through all ...