Lindsay S. C. Brinton and Meghan S. Largent Represent Landowners in Wekiva Trail Case
Lewis Rice attorneys Lindsay S. C. Brinton and Meghan S. Largent were recently featured in the Daily Commercial for representing landowners affected by the proposed Wekiva Trail Extension in Lake County, Florida. The 11.5-mile rail-to-trail project has raised concerns among nearby property owners about the potential taking of their land.
Lindsay and Meghan are advising landowners on their rights, explaining that the railroad only held a limited easement under Florida law. “Once issued, this approval will preempt Florida state law and likely constitute a taking of these owners’ private property,” Lindsay said. “And, under the Fifth Amendment, landowners are entitled to just compensation when their property is taken for a public purpose.” Lindsay and Meghan are actively filing claims and continuing to assist landowners along the corridor.
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Lewis Rice's federal takings attorneys represent landowners throughout the United States pursuing takings claims against the federal government. One primary focus of the group is representing landowners in what is commonly referred to as rails to trails takings. Attorneys in this group litigate cases in the United States Court of Federal Claims on behalf of those whose property was taken by the federal government pursuant to the National Trails System Act, which authorizes abandoned railroad lines to be converted to public parks. The goal is to obtain compensation from the government for the taking of their land for the public recreational trail. The attorneys in the Federal Takings Practice Group focus on both proving the taking has occurred as well as establishing the value of the property that was taken. Their national work for landowners includes representing landowners coast-to-coast, including 11 states.
