Who Do OCA Lawyers Represent?
locate an oca lawyer OCA lawyers defend the private ownership interests in all types of real property. Whether you are an individual or a corporate landholder, OCA lawyers bring deep knowledge and tailored strategies to protect your property rights.
Learn more about OCA and What We Do.
The attorneys affiliated with OCA defend the private ownership interests in all types of real property, including:
Commercial and Retail Property Owners
Commercial and retail property owners often have substantial investments in their properties – not only in terms of cost, but in terms of location, reputation, and goodwill. When the government seeks to take all or a portion of a commercial or retail property, the consequences can be significant. OCA’s attorneys can help owners of commercial property navigate these complex issues, while maximizing compensation and minimizing losses.
Farmers and Ranchers
Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural business owners often face unique challenges when their land is targeted for public projects like highways, pipelines, or utilities. OCA lawyers have experience representing these clients and understand the value and importance of preserving agricultural operations and assets.
Industrial Property Owners
Industrial property owners can suffer significant economic damages when faced with a government taking. Just compensation may include more than land value – it can extend to structures, equipment, and relocation costs. OCA attorneys are prepared to protect these rights and ensure full financial recovery where applicable.
Residential Property Owners
If you receive notice that your home lies in the path of a public project, you have rights. OCA attorneys regularly represent homeowners and residential property owners in eminent domain cases nationwide.
Owners of Special Purpose Properties
Owners of properties like religious buildings, private schools, hospitals, and campgrounds often face valuation challenges due to their specialized nature. OCA attorneys have handled numerous eminent domain and inverse condemnation cases involving these types of properties and understand the nuances involved.
Benefits of Working with an Experienced Eminent Domain Lawyer
When the government uses its power of eminent domain to acquire your private property, we believe that it is in your best interest to waste no time locating an experienced eminent domain attorney. The condemnation process can be complicated and intimidating. Learning that a government agency or other condemning authority wants to acquire your property can also be emotionally challenging and stressful.
If you believe that your property is going to be acquired using the power of eminent domain, take action quickly to defend your property and your rights.
A Knowledgeable Eminent Domain Attorney Can Help You
Understand Your Rights
It can be overwhelming to learn that your property is needed for a public project and that the government has the power to force you to sell it. One of the government’s greatest powers is its ability to “take” private property, sometimes against the owner’s wishes, under eminent domain law.
The use of eminent domain to condemn (or “expropriate”) property and the process of “taking” property for a public purpose are limited by the Constitution. A skilled and knowledgeable eminent domain attorney can ensure that abuse does not take place and that your interests are protected.
Navigate a Complex Process
Condemnation law is specialized and the process is complex. Eminent domain laws and procedures are complicated and vary from state to state. A qualified eminent domain attorney can guide you through the process, advise you of your rights and protect your interests.
Lawyers affiliated with Owners’ Counsel of America (OCA) are experienced condemnation lawyers who represent property owners across the country – individuals to multinational corporations – against federal, state, and local governments, utilities, redevelopment authorities, transportation departments, and any other entities armed with eminent domain power. Our attorneys can guide you through this complex process and ensure your rights are fully protected.
Receive Just Compensation
In eminent domain, the property owner is entitled to “just compensation” for the taking of private property. This compensation is intended to make the property owner whole financially for the loss of all or portions of the property. When a portion of the property is taken, the owner may be entitled to receive compensation for the value of the property taken as well as for any damages, or loss of value, to the remaining property.
A skilled condemnation lawyer can assist you in determining the value of your private property and the amount of just compensation due to you.
There are a number of considerations in valuing property taken by eminent domain and determining the amount of just compensation owed to the owner. OCA attorneys know how to apply condemnation law to a property owner’s advantage and can help maximize the amount of compensation you receive. Whether the taking affects a single-family home, commercial center, farm, special use facility, or vacant land, an OCA lawyer in your area can help.
Why Should I Hire a Skilled Condemnation Attorney?
For many Americans, our home, property, or business is our largest asset. Your plans and dreams for your property may include building a home, raising a family, earning investment income, securing your retirement, or growing your business. When the government acquires your land for a public project, why should you accept anything less than just compensation?
Many government offers to purchase property or to negotiate before filing a condemnation suit are less than fair market value and often do not consider any damages to the value of any remaining property or to the highest and best use of the property.
Even if the government’s offer to purchase seems fair to you, you may not know until you receive counsel from a knowledgeable eminent domain lawyer. With experienced condemnation counsel on your side, you can be certain that all of the intricate issues have been considered to determine the maximum amount of just compensation you should receive for the taking of your property.
The government has experienced eminent domain attorneys working on its team. Don’t you want a knowledgeable condemnation lawyer – and the nationwide resources of OCA – on your team?
Owners’ Counsel of America: A Nationwide Network of Leading Eminent Domain Lawyers
OCA is a nationwide network of leading eminent domain attorneys. We are the only organization comprised exclusively of property rights lawyers who are dedicated to defending private property owners against the government and others with eminent domain authority.
When you retain an OCA lawyer, you get the strength of a local advocate supported by a national network of legal minds focused on one goal: protecting property rights.
To learn more about OCA or for help locating the right attorney for your case, contact us online or call us toll-free at (877) 367-6963.
