Eminent Domain

commercial tenants, and appropriating authorities in eminent domain proceedings. As a result, our attorneys understand all aspects of eminent domain law and use that perspective to obtain the best possible results for our clients.

With eminent domain attorneys in each of their Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo offices, Roetzel is uniquely positioned to handle any eminent domain issue that may arise anywhere in Ohio.  This statewide presence enables Roetzel to offer its clients local expertise, backed by the resources of a large law firm. 

Beyond Ohio, Roetzel represents a number of large retail businesses in eminent domain matters on a regional and national basis.  In Florida, statewide eminent domain issues are handled in the Winter Park office.  Roetzel acts as a single point of contact for these clients, coordinating with local counsel as appropriate, in order to simplify and centralize the eminent domain process for companies frequently impacted by roadway projects.   
 

Representation of Property Owners and Business Owners

Roetzel’s eminent domain attorneys work with private property and business owners to help protect their rights and interests. Representation of property owners in eminent domain matters includes pre-litigation planning, withdrawal of deposited funds for client use during suit, property analysis, and business damage analysis, working with consulting expert witnesses, settlement negotiations, mediation, trial and appellate practice. The eminent domain process often spans several areas of the law including litigation, land use and zoning, environmental, municipal, real estate, corporate and tax.  As a large law firm, Roetzel has experts in all these areas of the law and can call upon them when needed.

Our eminent domain attorneys counsel property owners on the valuation of all types of commercial and investment property such as filling stations, retail stores, restaurants, warehouses, shopping centers, and offices, as well as industrial and residential sites and undeveloped property that has been held for future development.  Our attorneys have experience representing property owners in a wide range of projects, including road widening projects, grade separation projects, and highway re-alignment and construction projects.

Working closely with other professionals who assist us in protecting our clients' interests, such as appraisers, land planners, accountants and engineers, our attorneys routinely address a broad spectrum of property valuation issues such as business damages, loss or diminishment of access, traffic flow issues within a property footprint, loss of development potential and physical destruction or damages to property.

Representation of Commercial Tenants

Roetzel’s eminent domain attorneys also have substantial experience representing commercial tenants in eminent domain actions, and are very familiar with the statutory and contractual rights commercial tenants possess.

Representation of Appropriating Authorities

Roetzel’s Ohio eminent domain attorneys also have significant experience representing appropriating authorities acquiring property for public projects. Such representation includes both public and private entities that have the power of eminent domain, such as utility companies and governmental authorities.  This experience gives our eminent domain attorneys invaluable insight into the way projects are handled by appropriating authorities, insight which our attorneys put to good use when representing property owners.