LUI

Here are the opinions that we spoke about this afternoon at the Land Use Institute on “The Use of Eminent Domain for Redevelopment & Economic Development Projects.”

Thanks for joining in.Continue Reading Cases And Links From Today’s Land Use Institute Session: “The Use of Eminent Domain for Redevelopment & Economic Development Projects”

40th ALI-CLE

We were eagerly anticipating 40th American Law Institute-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation Conference. The 2022 Conference in Scottsdale was one of the first meetings where everyone was back in-person (and was a smashing success), but that conference was early in the game so not everyone could or would attend. But in the past year most of us got back to some semblance of “normal,” and the turnout promised to be good.

We had record registrations: with over 300 attendees, faculty, and staff signed up, things were shaping up.

Plus, we were headed to Austin, Texas. The last time we held the Conference there in 2016, we loved it so much it has been in-demand for a return visit. And this year is the debut Conference for some new planning co-chairs for both the main tracks as well as the “Condemnation 101” tracks, so the buzz for the

Continue Reading Ice Ice Baby: A Report From The 40th ALI-CLE Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Litigation Conference, Feb 1-4, 2023, Austin

We really want you there…

One (nearly) last reminder that there’s still time to register for your space at the 40th ALI-CLE Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Litigation Conference, February 1-4, 2023, in Austin. In the past several years, we have sold out due to the conference room capacity and the conference hotel block. But there’s still space, although we are nearly full. So register now – don’t delay any further! 

Here’s the brochure with the complete agenda, schedule, and faculty listing. But to tempt you, here are some of the highlights of the program:

  • Everything Old is New Again: Why Today’s Practitioners Need to Understand the Original Meaning of the Takings and Just Compensation Clauses
  • When the SWAT Team Comes (No) Knocking: Police Power Takings
  • Private Utility Takeovers – Lessons From a 67 Day Trial

  • “Contraband”: How Property Rights Helped Pave the Way for Civil Rights

  • Valuation


Continue Reading (Nearly) Last Call: There’s Still Time To Join Us For The 40th ALI-CLE Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Litigation Conference, Feb 1-4, Austin

Here it is, the official agenda and program for the 40th ALI-CLE Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Litigation Conference, February 2-4, 2023 (with a special event the evening of Wednesday, February 1, 2023 to entice you to arrive early).

Screenshot 2022-11-18 at 13-35-13 ALI CLE PA NY VA TX FL Continuing Legal Education

Here’s the brochure with the complete agenda, schedule, and faculty listing. But to tempt you, here are some of the highlights of the program:

  • Everything Old is New Again: Why Today’s Practitioners Need to Understand the Original Meaning of the Takings and Just Compensation Clauses
  • Private Utility Takeovers – Lessons From a 67 Day Trial

  • Valuation Issues When Billboards and Signs are Condemned

  • Setting Client Expectations and Identifying Red Flags

  • Developing Property Right Issues in Texas – Questions and Answers from the Bench: A View From the Bench (with Texas Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock)

  • Eminent Domain and Regulatory Takings Updates: Important Decisions You Need to Know

  • Ethics:


Continue Reading Here’s The Program For The 40th ALI-CLE Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Litigation Conference, Feb 1-4, 2023, Austin

Remember that First Circuit opinion from a few months back, which held – contrary to a prior 2-1 Ninth Circuit panel – that just compensation claims are not dischargeable in a governmental bankruptcy?

Well, the government recently filed a cert petition asking the Supreme Court to take the case and hold that there’s nothing special about a just compensation judgment or claim, and that the govermnent’s obligation to provide compensation for takings is just plain-old debt. And you know what happens to plain-old debt in bankruptcy: the creditor often gets bupkis. 

And before we go further, a disclosure: we represent some of the property owners/Respondents in the case. So we’re not going to comment in detail, but shall leave it to you to review the petition, and the Question Presented:

The decision below is the first by a circuit court in history to hold that the Constitution prohibits a

Continue Reading New Cert Petition: Just Compensation Claims Can Be “Adjusted” (Eliminated Or Reduced) In Bankruptcy, Right?

That’s right: Clint Schumacher’s Eminent Domain Podcast has reached its 100th episode. Very impressive, Clint!

And for this “very special episode,” Clint was kind enough to ask us to return to celebrate. In a wide-ranging hour-plus chat, Clint and I talked property rights and takings of course, but also hit on several more philosophical subjects. If you could have coffee with any historical figure who would you choose? Pharaoh Khufu? Jack the Ripper? Winston Churchill? What person has influenced your life the most? What’s on tap for the 2023 ALI-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation Conference in Austin? If you had to choose a last meal, what would it be (for me, an easy question)? Clint is a generous host (and person), so I really had a good time.

One note: Clint makes it seem seamless, but I know that the behind-the-scenes process

Continue Reading Congratulations On Reaching The “Century” Milestone, Eminent Domain Podcast!

Be sure to check out Anthony Alderman (MRICS, SR/WA, CRE, Senior Managing Director at Cushman & Wakefield), who guests on Episode 98 of Clint Schumacher’s Eminent Domain Podcast, “Eminent Domain in Pop Culture.”

You know we are going to really appreciate an episode “about depictions of eminent domain in popular culture – often a juror’s only prior exposure to condemnation law.” Whether it’s the vibe of contitution, or how eminent domain can show up in novels, Netflix, Russian and Australian movies, memes (and meme briefs), or nerding out on Star Trek metaphors. We love this topic.

But it’s not all distractions, because the episode also covers “what makes appraising for eminent domain acquisitions different from other appraisal projects as well as current issues of interest in the appraisal field.”

What a fun episode. Don’t miss it. Continue Reading It’s The Vibe! – Eminent Domain In Pop Culture

BK 2022

There’s still space for you to join us — preferably in-person, but remotely if that is not possible for you — at the 19th Annual Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference, September 29-30, 2022, at the William and Mary Law School in Williamsburg.

The American Law Institute was kind enough to post a notice about the Conference and the ALI members who are on the speaking faculty here.

Registration for the Conference is ongoing, and you can sign up here. Here is the full agenda. (We’ll be speaking on Panel #2, “Reshaping the Framework Protecting Property Under the Roberts Court.”

In our opinion, the Conference is the best of its kind, and brings together legal scholars and the practicing bar to talk dirt law. So please come join us.Continue Reading Registration Underway – 19th Annual Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference (Sep 29-30, 2022)

Here’s the latest in a case we’ve been following. The U.S. Court of Appeals recently heard oral arguments in a case where a private Natural Gas Act condemnor (the Sabal Trail pipeline) exercised the delegated federal power of eminent domain to take the property of a Florida owner.

As we reported here, the issue is whether federal or state law applies in these cases. The big reason why the question of whose law applies is that under the Fifth Amendment, “just compensation” does not include attorneys’ and other fees, while under the Florida Constitution’s “full compensation” provision (which we noted here), a property owner may recover fees and costs. The District Court held that Florida law, not federal, applied, and Sabal Trail appealed to the Eleventh Circuit.

The arguments are worth listening to. Is this a question of “choice of law?” Or does it go

Continue Reading CA11 Oral Arguments In Pipeline Taking: If Florida Law Says The Owner Gets Compensation Plus A Car, Does A Federal Court Have To Recognize That?