When it comes to the longstanding ALI-CLE American Law Institute-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation Conferences, we're always ready to go. You know that. But this year's version -- the 41st -- was buzzing like no other in recent memory.
Maybe it was the New Orleans venue with its atmo, food, and music for our after-class activities, or even the timing (the second-to-last week on the Mardi Gras parade season, and our conference hotel was right on the routes). It might have been the nice weather (oh, it rained buckets one evening, but there wasn't an ice storm like we experienced in Austin in 2023). Or maybe it was the capacity crowd, and new topics and speakers on the agenda. Or maybe it was just the prospect of seeing our friends and colleagues again after a year.
Here's a photo essay of some of the Conference highlights.
And if you missed out, the webcast was recorded and is available for viewing. Or, better yet, hold on your calendar January 30 through February 1, 2025 for the 42d Conference, to be held at the Westin Bayside San Diego.
The view from the podium.
Say "hello" to our opening plenary session in wide-angle.
Prepping the space.
The finished stage that Conference attendees
see isn't how the room starts off.
It takes a lot of work by the ALI-CLE staff
to get the place camera-ready.
The live webcasting of the sessions also takes a lot of
set-up and a ton of equipment. This is just some of it.
The badges were arranged on the table with care...
...in trust that our faculty and registrants would soon be there.
No conference would be complete without swag.
Here is but a sampling.
As always, a huge thank you to our generous sponsors.
Without your support, this Conference would not be as
good as it is, year after year.
The Conference site was right on the routes of several parades.
It was difficult to keep focusing on severance damages and larger parcel
when the music and excitement was just outside.
But we tried.
The opening plenary session -- on the U.S. Supreme Court's
big takings case -- got us off to a solid start.
Thanks to Christina Martin and Steve Silva for speaking
on Tyler v Hennepin County.
The view from the podium as Amy Boulris speaks about the most
significant eminent domain decisions of 2023.
The speakers are a mix of practicing lawyers, judges, other eminent domain
professionals, and legal academics. Here, two property scholars --
Timothy Harris and Jessica Asbridge --
discuss how state property law and state courts
can drive the constitutional issues.
Kinnon Williams, Esq. and Christina Thoreson, SR-WA, MAI, CRE
present on "Valuation of Wasting Assets."
Lawprof Emilio Longoria and attorney Tony Francois
on "What Condemnation Lawyers Need to Understand
About the Clean Water Act After Sackett"
(hint: it goes to highest and best use).
Matthew Ackerman, Marianna Baggett, and Kenneth Haywood
on "The Pitfalls of Objectively Measured Just Compensation:
When Market Value Isn't Enough."
It was not all work and no play.
Again, a big thanks to our generous sponsors.
Our speakers take questions, of course.
We solicit them the old-fashioned way (thanks, James Masterman).
William and Mary Law School Professor
Emerita Lynda Butler (and her former student, North Carolina's
Jeremy Hopkins" discuss property rights in an age of coastal retreat.
Luis Gallardo-Rivera, Dana Berliner, and (off-camera)
Sophia Holley on "Proving and Defending Pretext,
Public Use, and Necessity."
James Masterman and Martye Kendrick on "Preparing Your Witness
to Overcome Obstacles to Highest and Best Use."
Jeff McCoy, Robert McNamara, and Kristen Renfro on
"Getting to Federal Court and Staying There:
Navigating Procedural Mazes in Federal Takings Claims."
Sean Metherell and Nathan Farris zero in on
"How to Win a Future Highest and Best Use Claim: Proving Reasonable
Probability of Rezoning and Other Issues."
Michael Berger is Watching You:
SCOTUS Property Rights Maven Michael Berger zooms in with his
annual "Regulatory Takings Update."
We always hold a spot for Jim Burling on Saturday.
Why? Because his tours-de-force always are interesting
and put people in seats, even on a Saturday morning.
More Big Michael.
Here, sharing his memories of Professor Gideon Kanner.
See you in San Diego!
January 30 - February 1, 2025
Westin San Diego Bayside