When the government or a public utility takes private property without filing an appropriation action, the affected landowners must take action to protect their rights.

The cellular data industry is booming and the need for additional cellular communications towers has never been higher. The public’s increasing reliance on data applications (“apps”) for smartphones and tablets requires a higher capacity for data transfer and higher concentration of cellular communications towers than ever before. This is presenting landowners with great opportunities, but also significant risks.

Challenging an eminent domain action (also known as an appropriation action) is difficult but possible. Learn how to make a challenge here.

The Oil and Gas industry is booming in Ohio. Drilling and production continue to increase across the State. This provides Ohio landowners who are approached about an Oil & Gas Lease with both great opportunity and significant risk.

The condemning authority may abandon appropriation proceedings any time after the commencement of the proceedings until 90 days after “the final determination of the cause,” but only if it has not previously taken possession of the property.

The development of the Utica shale has led to the construction of numerous pipelines for the transportation of natural gas and other hydrocarbons in recent years, causing Ohio courts to address issues related to companies’ right to take private property.

The terms "appropriation," "condemnation," and "eminent domain" all mean the same thing - the government is taking private property.

Not all pipeline easements are created equal. Some include important landowner protections while others provide little to no protections for the landowner. This article is our list of 25 things that you should consider before you sign a pipeline easement.

It is common for pipeline companies to try to use old easements to locate a new pipelines and to pay lesser compensation. However, Ohio has legal protections for landowners facing this type of situation.

There are three circumstances where the Condemning Authority can be required to pay the landowners attorneys fees, witness fees, and costs.

Failing to file an Answer may result in a waiver of the landowner’s right to a jury trial to assess just compensation.

After being served with a Petition to Appropriate, a landowner has 28 days to file an Answer. Filing an Answer is an essential first step in protecting your rights in an eminent domain case.

A Condemning Authority must include seven distinct elements in its Petition to Appropriate in order to properly initiate an eminent domain case.

This term refers to a government or private entity that has the power to take private property by eminent domain. This can be a government agency, such as the Ohio Department of Transportation, or a public utility, such as Columbia Gas.

This term refers to the legal document that a Condemning Authority must file with the Court in order to commence and eminent domain case.