Navigating Eminent Domain Proceedings: Notice Requirements, Negotiation and Appraisal, Just Compensation, and More
A live 90-minute premium CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A
This CLE webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of eminent domain proceedings. The panel will examine the stages of the proceedings common to most jurisdictions, discuss when litigation may be necessary, and offer best practices for guiding clients through this complex process.
Outline
- Overview of eminent domain
- Authority to condemn
- Types of condemnation
- Pre-condemnation considerations
- Eminent domain proceedings
- Determining the parties to the proceeding
- Notice requirement
- Negotiation for acquisition of property
- Access to property and appraisal
- Valuation and just compensation
- Other considerations
- When litigation may be necessary: challenges to eminent domain actions
- Practitioner takeaways
Benefits
The panel will review these and other important considerations:
- Under what authority may eminent domain actions be initiated?
- What are the stages of eminent domain proceedings common to most jurisdictions? Key differences?
- How may landowners challenge a taking?
- When does litigation become necessary?
Faculty

Bobby Debelak
Partner
McDowell Hetherington
Mr. Debelak's practice focuses on sophisticated property and complex consumer litigation. He is a... | Read More
Mr. Debelak's practice focuses on sophisticated property and complex consumer litigation. He is a highly versatile advocate who has defended complex and multi-state consumer facing class actions in the insurance, retail energy, and products liability sectors. Mr. Debelak has twice been seconded to work as a litigator inside a large, publicly traded company, so he understands client needs from the inside and how to best serve them. He is a first-choice lawyer and resident expert on the intricacies of civil RICO litigation, having successfully defended expansive RICO cases. Mr. Debelak is also a go-to property litigator who represents public and private clients, including commercial and residential property owners, condemning authorities, and financial servicers in all aspects of property, landlord-tenant, construction, and eminent domain proceedings.
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Joseph W. Grather
Attorney
McKirdy, Riskin, Olson & DellaPelle
Mr. Grather works diligently and knowledgeably to win favorable results for his clients, defending them against the... | Read More
Mr. Grather works diligently and knowledgeably to win favorable results for his clients, defending them against the governmental exercise of the power of eminent domain. He successfully manages the difficult and time-consuming process clients face in eminent domain cases, communicating clearly and frequently and allowing the client to focus on their business and other pursuits. A former Seton Hall Law School adjunct professor, Mr. Grather publishes articles on eminent domain and other issues and has participated in a number of reported eminent domain cases.
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Sophia R. Holley
Attorney and Founder
Holley Law
Ms. Holley is an experienced eminent domain and real estate litigator and trial attorney with over a decade of... | Read More
Ms. Holley is an experienced eminent domain and real estate litigator and trial attorney with over a decade of litigation experience. She has a robust track record of litigation victories, including numerous first-chair trial and judgment victories before the bench and jury, and a complete defense victory against a privately held company with over $23 billion in annual global revenue. As a former litigation and real estate partner in one of the region’s largest firms, Ms. Holley offers a rare combination of high-level experience in civil litigation and complex real estate matters. In addition to her active trial practice, Ms. Holley regularly publishes and speaks in the eminent domain legal community on a local and national level.
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