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Bruce Smith helps landowners successfully litigate or settle takings cases. He is very familiar with commercial and residential land use issues and land values in Northern Virginia. Mr. Smith understands how to investigate, organize and then try condemnation cases. He knows how to utilize proof from expert engineers and appraisers, and can persuasively explain these concepts to the jury. In some instances, Mr. Smith will accept condemnation cases on a contingency fee basis, so that the client does not have to pay attorneys fees out of pocket as the matter progresses.
VDOT, Dominion Power, federal, state and local governments and even some utilities have the power of eminent domain - that is, the power to take private property for highway widening, power lines, gas lines, water lines and other public improvements. In many instances the amount which the taking authority offers the property owner is well below the actual value of the land. Without an experienced condemnation attorney, landowners usually cannot make any headway negotiating against these large and powerful entities. This is particularly true because the cases often involve complicated engineering, zoning and/or appraisal issues. It is important that the landowner involve an attorney as soon as possible in the process, ideally when the taking authority first contacts the landowner.
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