We just wrapped up the annual three-day Festival of Eminent Domain Law, otherwise known as the American Law Institute | American Bar Association's two CLE conferences, "Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation," and "Condemnation 101: How To Prepare and Present an Eminent Domain Case."
Dana Berliner, Matt Fellerhoff and I spoke about about "Winning Arguments in Challenging the Right to Take and Public Use" in the Land Valuation course, and in the 101 course, I presented a session on "Voir Dire: Selecting a Jury in a Post-Kelo Era in a Down Economy" with William Blake and Susan MacPherson.
The depth of talent teaching and attending these courses is unbelievable, so I always learn more at these conferences than I impart. Among the other presenters were our fellow law bloggers Gideon Kanner, Anthony Della Pelle and Edward McKirdy. Internet marketing strategist Jayne Navarre also presented an interesting session on using social media and other internet tools to help build an eminent domain practice. Many of my Owners Counsel of America colleagues were also on the faculty.
And finally, a shout out to the Planning Chairs for these events -- Leslie Fields and Joe Waldo, and Andrew Brigham and Jack Sperber -- for inviting me to make the presentations.