Lead Attorneys:

When public authorities and government entities choose to acquire property, they often turn to the law of eminent domain and condemn the desired property. Our team has successfully represented private property owners such as timber companies, cell tower companies, national home builders, developers, national gas station and convenience stores, and private citizens fighting for their constitutional property rights in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Texas and South Carolina.

We work with clients from the moment it is discovered that a public entity may be interested in their property. When we’re involved early in the process, we can often work with the condemning authority to minimize the impact to the property. When the condemning authority appears to be abusing its power to condemn, we challenge the government’s ability to take the property and work diligently to stop improper takings and abuse of private property rights.

Where a taking is authorized, we work with the condemning authority to ensure that our clients receive just compensation for the property taken, including appealing offers of compensation to a jury of their peers.

Recent Wins:

• Alternative Routing Reduces Negative Impact to Client
  Negotiated that the condemning authority alter its routing decision to significantly reduce the negative impact on the client’s commercial traffic flow and also increase the “just compensation” awarded to client.
• Successfully Negotiated Building Move to Help Client’s Land Value
  Negotiated that the condemning authority moves its proposed building to another piece of our client’s property and thereby significantly reduced the negative impact on the client’s more valuable tract.

Publications:

• The Changing Landscape of Eminent Domain in Georgia, by Simon H. Bloom, presented at the 28th Annual Real Property Law Institute, May 5, 2006, Destin, Florida
• Navigating Eminent Domain 2 Part Series, Two-Part Series, by Simon H. Bloom and Stephanie Everett, Fulton County Daily Report, June 21-22, 2006
• Property Owner’s Defenses to a Taking, by Simon H. Bloom and Stephanie Everett, presented at the ALI-ABA Seminar Condemnation 101: Fundamentals of Condemnation Law, January 7, 2007, Miami, Florida