Eminent Domain
Since the early 1970’s, the Firm has provided services to clients affected by eminent domain. Peter H. Wegener, a founding partner of the Firm, leads the eminent domain department. He started representing clients along Route 70 who owned land within the Township of Lakewood during the 1970’s and since then has zealously protected the rights of property owners. The department has grown significantly under Mr. Wegener’s guidance and now includes other partners and associates. The firm remains at the forefront of protecting the rights of property owners to ensure that the government does not overstep its authority. Our representation includes preventing the government from taking properties illegally and maximizing the value property owners receive from the government when their property is taken. In condemnation proceedings, we provide guidance from the initial governmental action and offer, through the commission hearing process and through trial and appeal, if necessary.
As a result of the hundred of cases handled over about fifty years, Mr. Wegener, has made significant contributions to the field of eminent domain jurisprudence.
Mr. Wegener has been in the vanguard of property attorneys in developing an expanded concept of “highest and best use” by developing a line of cases including State v. Hope Assoc., 206 N.J. Super. 633 (App. Div. 1993), modified, 136 N.J. 27 (1994); State v. Caioli, 135 N.J. 252 (1994); County of Monmouth v. Hilton, 334 N.J. Super. 582 (App. Div. 2000); and State v. Simon, 367 N.J. Super. 242 (App. Div. 2004). Mr. Wegener has helped make the difficult path to “just compensation” a little more sure.
While the firm specializes in representing property owners, we have also represented public entities such as the Howell Township Board of Education, Township of Lakewood, Township of Brick, the Township of Toms River, and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, as well as other municipalities and public entities in acquiring property for schools, land preservation, and other public purposes.
As a result of the hundred of cases handled over about fifty years, Mr. Wegener, has made significant contributions to the field of eminent domain jurisprudence.
Mr. Wegener has been in the vanguard of property attorneys in developing an expanded concept of “highest and best use” by developing a line of cases including State v. Hope Assoc., 206 N.J. Super. 633 (App. Div. 1993), modified, 136 N.J. 27 (1994); State v. Caioli, 135 N.J. 252 (1994); County of Monmouth v. Hilton, 334 N.J. Super. 582 (App. Div. 2000); and State v. Simon, 367 N.J. Super. 242 (App. Div. 2004). Mr. Wegener has helped make the difficult path to “just compensation” a little more sure.
While the firm specializes in representing property owners, we have also represented public entities such as the Howell Township Board of Education, Township of Lakewood, Township of Brick, the Township of Toms River, and the New Jersey Schools Development Authority, as well as other municipalities and public entities in acquiring property for schools, land preservation, and other public purposes.
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