Archive | Lawyers

“Property Rights as Defined and Protected by International Courts”

The following is an excerpt of a paper presented by Michael Rikon, “Property Rights as Defined and Protected by International Courts,” which was presented at 2015 Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference, The Hague, Netherlands, on October 21, 2015. The right of an individual to own property may be traced to the French Revolution and the United States Bill of Rights.  As American Lawyers, we assume, not only the right to own property, but the right to compensation if that property is taken by the government.  That process is known as eminent… read more

Posted in International Courts, Judicial view, Lawyers
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What to Do When You’re a Homeowner Threatened with Eminent Domain

The U.S. News Real Estate Section published an article on March 30, 2016, titled, What to Do When You’re a Homeowner Threatened with Eminent Domain. The article lists some guidelines to protect yourself and your property. Number one is to consult an attorney “as soon as you hear your property could potentially be taken for public use, which could come to you in the form of a mailed letter, in-person notice or phone call, depending on the government planning to take the property and its practices. Eminent domain is difficult,… read more

Posted in Advance Payments, Challenging condemnation, Eminent Domain, Lawyers
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New York Law Journal Letters to the Editor: Correcting the Record on Eminent Domain Law in New York

Michael Rikon wrote a letter to the editor in the November 17, 2015, edition of the New York Law Journal titled, “Correcting the Record on Eminent Domain Law in New York.” In his letter, Mr. Rikon responded to Fred Kolikoff, a recently-retired New York City Law Department Assistant Corporation Counsel, who submitted erroneous letters to the editor in response to Mr. Rikon’s New York Law Journal eminent domain articles.  Mr. Rikon’s complete letter to the editor is reprinted here: This letter is written in response to the letter to the… read more

Posted in Eminent Domain, Lawyers
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New York Law Journal: The Condemnation Expert’s File: Minefield for Cross-Examination

Michael Rikon recently authored a column published in the New York Law Journal titled The Condemnation Expert’s File: Minefield for Cross-Examination. In condemnation cases, each side hires an expert to prepare an opinion on the value of the property. As Mr. Rikon explains in the article, once that expert testifies at trial, his or her work file becomes discoverable by the opposing side, and is often rife with material for cross-examination. This material can range from inaccurate data or the use of a faulty valuation method, to evidence of coaching,… read more

Posted in Appraisers, Lawyers, Offer & Compensation, Recent cases, Sandbagging, Trial Preparation, USPAP
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Emil Realty, Co. v State of New York

A recent decision by the Court of Claims (Hon. Thomas H. Scuccimarra) approved  the Claimant Emil Realty’s request for an additional three months to file its appraisal report valuing the subject property (530 Gardner Avenue, and a permanent easement over 518 Gardner Avenue). The parties had previously stipulated to other extensions, however the State refused to consent to a further extension beyond the February 15, 2015 deadline as it had already filed its appraisal, and argued it would be prejudiced by the imposition of additional statutory interest at 9% from… read more

Posted in Appraisers, Lawyers, Litigation, New York, Recent cases
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