Institutional Property Owners and Eminent Domain
Waldo & Lyle Defends Institutional Clients Against Condemnation
When the government or local authorities decide to take property for public use through condemnation, it can be a daunting and expensive process for any institution. In these cases, representation by Waldo & Lyle can provide the best defense of your rights in the condemnation process.
Eminent Domain: What Institutions Should Know
Eminent domain is the power of the government to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation. This power allows governments to build roads, schools, hospitals, and other public works projects.
When a government or public agency exercises its authority in matters of eminent domain, it profoundly impacts institutions that play vital roles within the community, disrupting their ability to fulfill their missions. The consequences of eminent domain can be far-reaching, diminishing the value of institutional property and assets while creating obstacles to long-term growth and sustainability.
At Waldo & Lyle, we understand the complexities of navigating eminent domain cases that affect institutional entities. Our team of experienced attorneys is well-versed in the laws governing eminent domain and the rights of institutional landowners in Virginia. We are here to assist you in understanding your options and advocating for your best interests.
Whether you are facing the potential acquisition of land or seeking fair compensation, we can guide you through the legal process. Our attorneys have a proven track record of successfully representing institutions and ensuring they receive just compensation for any losses incurred.
Navigating the complexities of eminent domain requires expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the unique challenges institutions face. With our dedicated team by your side, you can have confidence in our ability to protect your property and advocate for a fair resolution.
The Role of Eminent Domain Firms
Eminent domain firms protect property owners’ rights during proceedings. They help institutions by providing legal services, including filing and other forms of litigation, negotiating settlements, and pursuing appeals.
A legal firm assists with a wide range of tasks, including:
Handle all aspects of a case, including researching and understanding the law, preparing documents, filing papers, and attending court hearings
Help to provide insight into all applicable laws and regulations and suggest strategies to best protect an institution’s interests.
Provide insight into maximizing a settlement amount if needed
These firms are valuable partners in protecting an institution from condemnation. They can provide the necessary legal expertise to ensure that all aspects of the eminent domain process are handled properly so that the institution can receive the most favorable outcome possible.
How an Institutional Property Owner Benefits From Representation by Waldo & Lyle
Because institutional property owners, like churches and private schools, are often led by Boards with fiduciary duties, it can be a stressful and confusing experience to be threatened with condemnation. However, by engaging the services of an experienced eminent domain firm, institutions can better protect their interests in the face of eminent domain action.
Waldo & Lyle’s experience in representing institutional property owners in Virginia helps to ensure they are treated fairly and compensated adequately for taking their property. Institutional clients often have unique concerns regarding the impacts of a condemnation on their ongoing use of the property. Waldo & Lyle works to ensure that all of these concerns are incorporated into the analysis of the taking’s impact on the remaining property. Waldo & Lyle’s experience in representing institutional owners allows us to guide our clients through the condemnation process while appreciating the unique concerns and procedures for operating within the institution’s bylaws.
Waldo & Lyle routinely litigates or negotiates the just compensation due from the condemning authority. We have also defended against the government’s claim that the seizure of the property was necessary.
With the services of Waldo & Lyle, Virginia institutions can ensure they receive the best possible outcome when facing the threat of condemnation.
Seek Legal Assistance from
Waldo & Lyle
When it comes to protecting institutions against the risk of condemnation, there is no better defense than enlisting the services of an experienced firm. These firms have the knowledge and expertise to provide institutions with the best possible protection from condemnation.
Institutions can seek help from knowledgeable lawyers to protect their interests against potential condemnation. By hiring a knowledgeable and experienced team, institutions can ensure that their rights are respected and that their communities are preserved.
When the government exercises this power, it can also disrupt communities by taking away local farmland. Farms serve as landmarks for many rural communities and a source of fresh produce for local markets. Losing these farms can take away important elements of a town’s identity and culture.
There may also be environmental consequences. If farmland is taken away and replaced with roads, parking lots, or buildings, it can disrupt the delicate balance of nature in the area and lead to pollution.
Success Story: A Church Triumphs
First Baptist Norfolk has weathered many storms, but few as threatening as the one whipped up by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Church leaders knew that one day a new interstate interchange would slice across the boundary of its property. But they were shocked — and fearful for the church’s future — when they saw plans to put a $100 million bridge within fifty feet of the main sanctuary. As explained by Pastor Eric Thomas in the video, the shock turned to betrayal when VDOT insisted the elevated highway would not disrupt the church’s life and would provide a benefit in the form of “covered parking” underneath the interstate. That’s when church leaders turned to Waldo & Lyle.
Dr. Eric Thomas, First Baptist Church of Norfolk