William G. Blake, CRE

Over more than 35 years of practice, William Blake has amassed a wealth of experience in eminent domain, real estate and commercial disputes litigating cases across Nebraska. He is frequently invited to speak, locally and nationally, on issues relating to the condemnation of real property and private property rights and is recognized for his many written works regarding the law of eminent domain. Additionally, he has been sought out by local and national media outlets for his insights regarding eminent domain and has most recently commented on TransCanada’s use of eminent domain to acquire property for the Keystone XL Pipeline through Nebraska.

Bill is the Editor of Fifty State Survey: The Law of Eminent Domain, First Chair Press, (2012) published for the American Bar Association and is the author of  “Just Compensation” in Nebraska: A Manual for Owners. He has served as website editor and chair for the Committee on Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use for the American Bar Association Section of Litigation, and continues to serve as the editor of updates to The Law of Eminent Domain. Bill is an active member of his community holding membership in the Lincoln West Optimists Foundation and providing pro bono legal representation to the Lincoln Parks Foundation.

Speaking Engagements

• Half Moon Education, Land Laws for Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors, “Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law,” December 11, 2014, Omaha, NE.
• American Law Institute, Condemnation 101: How to Prepare and Present an Eminent Domain Case, “The Usual Suspects: Typical Witnesses and Common Issues in a Condemnation Case,” January 23, 2014, New Orleans, LA
• American Law Institute-American Bar Association, Condemnation 101: Making the Complex Simple in Eminent Domain, “Discovery in Condemnation, a Plan and Purpose,” February 2011, Coral Gables, FL.
• American Law Institute-American Bar Association, Condemnation 101: How to Prepare and Present an Eminent Domain Case, “Voir Dire: Selecting a Jury in a Post-Kelo Era While in a Market Recession,” February 2010, Scottsdale, AZ.

Publications

• Editor, Fifty State Survey: The Law of Eminent Domain, First Chair Press, published for the American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Committee on Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use, (2012).
• Author, Nebraska Chapter of the Fifty State Survey: The Law of Eminent Domain, First Chair Press, published for the American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Committee on Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use, (2012).
• “TransCanada Keystone XL Pipeline: Eminent Domain and Transportation of Energy,” Real Estate Issues, The Counselors of Real Estate, Vol. 39, No. 2, 2014.
• ‘Just Compensation’ in Nebraska: Nebraska Condemnation Manual for Owners, 2009 revised

Bar Admission and Memberships

• Nebraska, 1975
• U.S. District Court District of Nebraska, 1975
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Nebraska Bar Association
• Member, Lincoln Bar Association

Professional Affiliations

• Committee on Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use for the American Bar Association Section of Litigation, Member and Chairperson (2012-2013)
• Committee on Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use for the American Bar Association Section of Litigation, Website Editor (2009-2012)
• Nebraska State Bar, House of Delegates (2004-2011)
• Lincoln West Optimists Foundation, Member (1999-present)
• Designated Member, The Counselors of Real Estate®, www.cre.org, an international organization of real estate professionals recognized as the leading advisors in complex real property matters. Bill is among the fewer than 50 practicing attorneys who hold a CRE® designation.