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Condemnation Law
Pennsylvania condemnation law applies when a governmental body invokes its right of eminent domain against privately owned property. In short "condemnation" is the taking of private property by the government for the purpose of public use. The United States Constitution and Pennsylvania Constitution require just compensation when private property is condemned. The "just compensation" clause is why you need legal representation. If the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation ("PennDOT"), or any other government agency wants to take your land or has provided you with a notice of condemnation, please contact us right away so we can protect your rights, obtain just compensation and/or preserve your property if the taking is not for a public purpose. Roland & Schlegel, P.C. is the most experienced condemnation law firm located in Reading, Berks County, Pennsylvania.
Condemnation law often involves PennDOT, which is represented by the Attorney General's office. PennDOT will file declarations of taking, or in certain cases, might commit a de facto taking, which is an injury to your property without the actual taking of your property. The notice of condemnation will notify you of the condemnation. PennDOT or any other condemnor will offer you its estimate of just compensation. This will usually not provide you with the maximum recovery for your property. Initial offers are often less than what should be paid. Property owners should retain an attorney to protect their assets, coordinate an accurate property appraisal and ensure that their constitutional rights are protected by having legal representation through the entire process, including negotiations, Board of Viewers hearings and trials. Our lead attorney for condemnation law, Jerry Richwine, handled condemnation cases for PennDOT throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for over nine years. Since 1980, he has represented private property owners against condemnors. Mr. Richwine knows the governmental processes and procedures and knows how to obtain the best recovery for the damage or loss of your private property.
You need an attorney who understands real estate appraisals, the Eminent Domain Code and engineering plans and who has knowledge of the industry and its contacts. Mr. Richwine has over 30 years of legal experience in this area of the law. Contact Roland & Schlegel, P.C. for a free consultation with Mr. Richwine and find out first hand that his fair legal fees are calculated on a sliding scale based only on the amount of your recovery over and above the condemnor's initial estimated just compensation.
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