Eminent Domain | Condemnation

YouvebeentrumpedDonald Trump has more money than you. He’s also a huckster, a self-aggrandizing showman, a judgmental snob, and an eminent domain abuser with more than a hint of mean lying just below the surface. And he has really weird hair.

But we already knew that, and if these are the only insights to be taken

In Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida v. Dep’t of Environmental Protection, No. 2D11-2797 (Dec. 30, 2011), the Florida District Court of Appeal (Second District) held that land owned by the Miccosukee Tribe was not immune from being condemned by the State o Florida.

The tribe purchased three parcels but did not immediately take

Here’s what we’re reading today:

  • Blight barons of redevelopment plot comeback – Steven Greenhut (O.C. Register): “As of February, anyway, redevelopment is dead in California, the victim of an absurdly arrogant legal and political strategy pursued by redevelopment’s chief defenders. This is wonderful news, made even better by the teeth-gnashing of public officials

California followers: be sure to register and join in on Wednesday, January 4, 2012, starting at 2:00 p.m. PST as Rick Rayl, Brad Kuhn (California Eminent Domain Report) and their firm colleagues present a webinar, “Supreme Court Upholds Elimination of Redevelopment in California – Now What?

This, of course, refers to

Battle for Brooklyn film poster

Today was the Hawaii premiere of Battle For Brooklyn, the Oscar-shortlisted documentary film about the Atlantic Yards case. We’re introducing the film and conducting a question-and-answer session after each showing.

Screening information: Tuesday and Wednesday, January 3 and 4, at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day at the Doris Duke Theater. More

At the 2010 ALI-ABA eminent domain conference, Anthony Della Pelle (NJ Condemnation Law blog), Nancy Myrland (social media marketing consultant), and I presented a session on how condemnation lawyers can leverage social media to build their law practices.

This month’s edition of The Practical Real Estate Lawyer includes my short article based on the

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser published my movie review of “Battle For Brooklyn,” the documentary about the Atlantic Yards eminent domain fight, on the op-ed page. Check it out here or below. More importantly, if you are in Honolulu next week, come to one of the four screenings (details and link to ticket purchase below).

Today’s 6-1 California Supreme Court opinion in California Redevelopment Association v. Matosantos, No. S194861 (Dec. 29, 2011) brings to mind two of our favorite loanwords: schadenfreude (deriving pleasure from the misfortune of others) and schlimmbesserung (to worsen by improvement).

The first because we can’t say we’re crying much about the takedown of California redevelopment

As we noted earlier today (“Cal Supreme Court “Redevelops” Redevelopment Agencies“), the California Supreme Court has dealt a stunning blow to the redevelopment-industrial compex in California. Here’s more from media outlets and legal commentators:

  • Governor Jerry Brown issues his shortest press release, ever: “Today’s ruling by the California Supreme Court validates a key

In what can only be considered a major takedown of the redevelopment game, the California Supreme Court in a 6-1 opinion (Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye concurring and dissenting), held that the state legislature could eliminate redevelopment agencies without violating the California Constitution. What the lege giveth, the lege may taketh away. It upheld the statute dissolving