The Silverstein Law Firm devotes much of its practice to representing
property owners, business owners and tenants faced with the threat of
eminent domain.
Eminent
domain -- also known as condemnation -- is the power of the government
to take private property for a public purpose. Traditional public
purposes include construction of schools, roadway improvements, and other
public facilities. In addition, local government frequently uses
and misuses the power of eminent domain to take private property for
redevelopment projects.
The California Supreme Court
has held that the government must exercise this "tremendous power fairly,
equitably and with a deep understanding of the theory and practice of
just compensation. " City of Los Angeles v. Decker (1977)
18 Cal.3d 860, 871. Regrettably, government often fails to
comply with this strict standard of fairness.
The Silverstein Law Firm focuses on
the pursuit of just compensation under the Eminent Domain Law, including
compensation for real property, fixtures and equipment, business goodwill,
leasehold bonus value, precondemnation damages, and relocation benefits.
Our experience includes representing
owners and business owners of residential, retail, commercial and industrial
properties. We have helped clients receive additional compensation,
sometimes many multiples above what the government offered. Robert
P. Silverstein of The Silverstein Law Firm has also stopped eminent domain
actions through successful challenges to the government's right to take.
