Ernst Robert J III Attorney At Law

Information may not be reliable

California Eminent Domain Lawyer
Americans are long accustomed to the idea that government bodies may take private property through the powers of eminent domain to build highways, utility installations, or schools. Increasingly, eminent domain is also used for the purpose of taking homes, farms, and commercial properties, and transferring them over to other private users (such as shopping mall developers). Governments often seek to justify such actions through creative interpretations of "public use."
If your California property is currently under threat of condemnation by a city, county, or the state for conversion to another private use, contact my California real estate law firm. I am an experienced, well-established eminent domain lawyer devoted to protecting rights of property owners.
Challenging the Government's Right to Take Property; Fighting for Just Compensation
Through my law practice, I help clients challenge the government's right to take property. When eminent domain is inevitable, I fight as attorney for my clients' rights to receive just compensation for property when the government takes private land.
Recognizing the Value of Location
Government takings are a growing threat to the security of property owners in California and nationwide. Loss of one's property nearly always includes additional losses besides the real estate itself.
The Price of a Business
If the property contains a private business (whether it is a home business, or a business located on commercial property), California state law requires that, in the event the property is taken through eminent domain, the owner be compensated for reasonable relocation expenses. The loss of a business location, though, may include the loss of good will that cannot be precisely estimated. Will customer loyalty be enough to compel long-term clientele to suffer the inconvenience of traveling to a new business location after a forced move?
When the Government should have Condemned, but didn't
In some cases, the government ought to take a property (when flooding may result from new road construction, for example) -- but fails to do so. In such cases, I handle legal action related to inverse condemnation claims.
Well-Rounded Real Estate Law Firm
Contact my real estate law firm to schedule a consultation on water law, construction law, real estate sales and purchase contracts, landlord tenant matters, commercial leases, or condo conversions. My representation includes, when necessary, research into the different zoning and permitting ordinances varying from one municipality to another that may affect eminent domain cases.

Home Firm Overview Practice Areas Overview Attorney Profile Resource Links Contact Us

I, Robert J. Ernst III, real estate and eminent domain attorney, represent the interests of clients throughout the Central Valley, Monterey Bay, Pajaro Valley, San Francisco Bay, Santa Clara Valley and San Joaquin Valley region, in communities including Salinas, Anaheim, Bakersfield, Fremont, Fresno, Hollister, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Merced, Modesto, Oakland, Pacific Grove, Redding, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Seaside, Stockton, Visalia, Watsonville, and Yuba City. Counties served include Alameda County, Fresno County, Kern County, Los Angeles County, Merced County, Monterey County, Orange County, Riverside County, Sacramento County, San Benito County, San Diego County, San Francisco County, San Joaquin County, Santa Clara County, Santa Cruz County, Shasta County, Stanislaus County, Sutter County, and Tulare County.