John S. Peterson
Top rated Eminent Domain attorney in Los Angeles, California
Practice Areas:
Eminent Domain,
Real Estate
Education Qualification:
University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law
Practice Areas:
Eminent domain,
Real estate
633 West Fifth Street 26th FloorLos Angeles, California, 90071
First Admitted: 1981, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.petersonlawgroup.com/about/john-s-peterson.html
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Member, Condemnation and Land Use Committee, Los Angeles County Bar Association
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1994
- California, 1981
- Associate, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2010
- Member, Real Property Section, Los Angeles County Bar Association
- United States District Court Central District of California, 1981
- United States District Court Eastern District of California, 1994
- Los Angeles County Bar Association, Member
- State Bar of California, 1981
- United States District Court Northern District of California, 1994
- United States Court of Federal Claims, 1994
- State Bar of California, Real Property Section, Member
- American Bar Association, Member
- United States District Court Southern District of California, 1994
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1982
- International Right of Way Association, Member
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- Negotiated a $16.2 million eminent domain settlement for client's industrial property in La Verne, California taken for a rail line project. LASC Case No. 20STCV11033., 2021
- Negotiated a $2 million inverse condemnation settlement based on excess use by the government and its contractors of a temporary construction easement. LASC Case No. 19STCV12289., 2021
- Successfully argued to the California Supreme Court in a 7-0 decision on behalf of property owners in an inverse condemnation case in Weiss v. People ex rel. Department of Transportation (2020) S248141. The Court determined the motion procedure of CCP section 1260.040, an eminent domain procedure, is not appropriately used in inverse condemnation entitlement proceedings. The Court's decision disapproved Dina v. People ex rel. Department of Transportation (2007) 151 Cal. App. 4th 1029. , 2020
- $12,000,000 result for R&D facility near LAX compared to initial offer of $7,722,575. LASC Case No. BC701867., 2020
- $6,125,000 negotiated acquisition of a mobile home park in lieu of two frontage takes where the condemning agencies initially offered $357,500 and $618,000 for the take areas and severance. Riverside County Superior Court Case No. PSC1803284., 2020
- $907,000 settlement of earth movement property damage to downslope property resulting from overwatered slope and retaining wall failure. LASC 19STCV03991, 2020
- $700,000 result paid by City in the Antelope Valley for homeowners' claims for inverse condemnation due to drainage and facilities impacts following rain events., 2018
- $1 million result paid by several jurisdictions in the Antelope Valley for homeowners' claims for inverse condemnation due to drainage and facilities impacts following rain events., 2018
- Successful appeal resulting in a published opinion in Fourth District Court of Appeal establishing a split of authority with the Second District involving the application of CCP section 1260.040 in inverse condemnation liability issues. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court of California. Weiss v. People ex rel Dept. of Transportation (2018) 20 Cal. App. 5th 1156; (Review granted, request to republish denied)., 2018
- $26 million result from Cal Trans for industrial property compared to an original offer of $13.6 million. The client business was also successfully relocated and the settlement resulted in the reversion of a remainder at the conclusion of construction. , 2017
- $1,380,000 Jury Verdict against Cal Trans for full taking of mobile home park and partial taking of adjacent unimproved land In Sanger, Fresno County compared to original collective offer of $755,200., 2017
- $21 million result from MTA for a Beverly Hills property compared to an original offer of $5.7 million., 2016
- $4.88 million result against MTA for ten year Temporary Construction Easement with reversion of remainder at end of term., 2016
- $ 5,000,025 recovery-Peterson represented a Kosher foods distributor whose property was taken and business displaced for the Sixth Street Bridge/Viaduct Replacement Project in Los Angeles. The City initially offered $ 3,093,000. Peterson negotiated a settlement at mediation for $ 5,000,025. Peterson’s business relocation team also assisted the client with a successful self-move to nearby Vernon., 2016
- $ 4,850,000 recovery-Peterson’s client, a family-owned seed distribution and storage company that had operated at its location in the Arts District for seven decades, was displaced for the Sixth Street Bridge/Viaduct Replacement project. The City initially offered $ 2,220,000 for a full acquisition, which included an access parcel on the north side of the property giving the client street to street access. At mediation, Peterson negotiated a full settlement for $ 4,850,000, which included the client maintaining ownership of the access parcel that the City initially wanted to acquire. In addition, Peterson’s business relocation team assisted the client with a successful self-move to a new location., 2016
- $ 3,535,000-jury verdict. Peterson represented an El Pollo Loco franchisee and the owner of the 26,000 square foot property on which it was located, acquired by Cal Trans for the I-5 widening project. Caltrans initially offered $ 1,719,000 for the acquisition. The case proceeded to a jury trial. The jury awarded Peterson’s client a total of $ 3,535,000 for the acquisition, including a real estate award that came within 7% of Peterson's real estate appraiser's testimony at trial., 2016
- Representation of owners of 16 properties being acquired for a school site by Los Angeles Unified School District. Obtained stay of eminent domain proceedings and orders for possession pending review of CEQA challenge to the underlying school project. Resolved cases after shifting date of value from 2010 to favorable 2013 date and facilitating clients' continued occupancy of their homes for more than three additional years. Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC 439095 and 15 related cases., 2013
- $28 million settlement for Los Angeles By-Products Co. adv Los Angeles County Flood Control District, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC390776, 2010
- $2,925,000 result for owner of property acquired and printing business relocated for a school project. Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC413083., 2010
- $4.39 million for owner in Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles vs. Z. Patrick Berberian and California Arts Products
- $3.95 million for owner in Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) vs. Fuel Engineering Corporation
- $11.0 million settlement, Rikuo Corporation adv. City of Gardena, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC317913, 2006
- $6.0 million post-trial, post-appeal settlement for Richland Pinehurst et al vs. City of Chino Hills et al, San Bernardino County Superior Court Case No. RCVRS063815, 2007
- Represented several single family homeowners that suffered differential settlement and resulting structural damage due to inadequate municipal drainage, consolidation and earth movement and resulting loss of support. Resolution included a buyout of one substantially damaged property and compensation to owners in other cases to address repair requirements.
- $3.4 million jury verdict for Berberian adv. Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC29538, 2004
- $1.425 million for owner in Housing Authority of the City of Burbank vs. Linda D. Reinoso et al.
- $2.875 million for owner in Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles (CRA) vs. Stewart-Coss Partnership
- $13.5 million settlement for Alex Meruelo, Trustee adv. City of Pico Rivera, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC409849, 2009
- $3.7 million for property, goodwill and relocation benefits for owner in City of Long Beach, acting by and through its Board of Harbor Commissioners vs. Seymour Waterman and Betty Joyce Waterman, Waterman Supply Company et al.
- $7.1 million settlement for PDW Lighting, Inc. adv Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 384555, 2009
- Represented hilltop single family home that suffered loss of substantial yard area due to landslide caused by fill soil instability. Resolution included buyout of property.
- $4.0 million jury verdict (augmented by post-appeal fee award) for Berkett, et al adv. Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Superior Court Case. No. BC202061;, 2000
- $7.7 million for R.F. Wilton (Frank Fargo Tire & Rubber Co., Inc.) adv. Los Angeles Unified School District
- $4.7 million for property, goodwill and relocation of business in City of Los Angeles vs. Southwestern Properties, LLC, Metropolis Manufacturing, Inc. dba Vaughn Benz, et al.
- $1.54 million for owner in Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority (ACTA) vs. Moises Z. Rugerio
- $10.5 million jury verdict for Watson Land Company adv. Carson Redevelopment Agency, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC154293, 1997
- Represented adjacent single family homes downslope from a landslide that resulted in water and soil inundation and structural displacement of their homes. Damage caused by historic instability of hillside and water intrusion from utility conduits. Resolution included warranted hillside repair and structural repairs.
- $4.7 million judgment after bench trial (including awarded attorneys and expert fees)-Torino vs. City of Palos Verdes Estates, Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. BC277184, 2005
- Represented downslope owner of property that was substantially inundated by a landslide due to historically unstable hillside and modern alterations. Resolution included payment to client to effectuate repairs benefiting both upslope and downslope properties
- $2.25 million Settlement for owner in Livermore Valley Unified School District vs. Wilson Family Funeral Chapel, et al.
Transactions:
- Negotiation and documentation of the sale of real property improved with an oil pipeline pumping facility under threat of condemnation. , 2020
- $1.4 million negotiated transaction for sale of property acquired for a road-widening project and relocation benefits for locksmith business compared to original offer of $978,595. , 2010
- $2.0 million relocation benefit negotiated for a metal stamping business, including a determination of consequential displacement, related to a freeway widening project., 2010
Honors/Awards:
- Named 2022 "Lawyer of the Year" in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Los Angeles Metro Area, Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers, 2022
- Selected to be included in Best Lawyers, 2022, Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers, 2022
- Selected to Super Lawyers in Eminent Domain, Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2022
- Selected to be included in Southern California Super Lawyers, 2014
- Peterson Law Group ranked in Best Law Firms rankings., Ranked, U.S. News & World Report-Best Lawyers, 2019
- Selected to Best Lawyers for Eminent Domain, Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers, 2019
- Received 10 Rating (out of 10) in Avvo, Avvo, Avvo, 2019
- Profiled in Southern California Legal section of November, 2011 Forbes Magazine, Forbes Magazine, 2011
- Selected to Best Lawyers for Eminent Domain, Best Lawyers, Best Lawyers, 2018
- Peterson Law Group PC, 2015 Winner, Litigator Awards, Eminent Domain, Los Angles, California., Award Recipient, Trial Lawyers Board of Regents, 2015
- AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell; Listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers (Eminent Domain, Real Estate), Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected to Best Lawyers in Los Angeles, 2013-2018, in Eminent Domain & Condemnation Law, Best Lawyers, 2017
- Elected as Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), Member, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2010
- Peterson Law Group, PC named a Tier 1 Law Firm in Los Angeles in Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Tier 1 Law Firm, U.S. News & World Report/Best Lawyers, 2014
Educational Background:
- University of California, Los Angeles, B.A. Economics, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 1978
- University of California, Los Angeles, Juris Doctor, 1981
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Speaker on Challenging Public Agencies on Just Compensation, Speaker, Challenging Public Agencies on Just Compensation, CLE International, 23rd Annual Eminent Domain Conference, Eminent Domain, Condemnation, 2021
- Mr. Peterson was a speaker regarding Fourth District Court of Appeal Opinion on Weiss v. People ex rel Dept. of Transportation (2018) 20 Cal. App. 5th 1156; (Review granted, request to republish denied)., Speaker, CCP Section 1260.040, CLE International Eminent Domain Institute, MCLE Credit For Lawyers, 2018
- Mr. Peterson was a speaker in the Lender Involvement segment of the 18th Annual Northern California Eminent Domain Institute sponsored by CLE International in San Francisco, California on October 21, 2016., Speaker, Lender Involvement, CLE International, 2016
- Mr. Peterson was Co-Chair and Speaker at the Proving Landslide Claims Program on July 8, 2016 sponsored by Law Seminars International. , Co-Chair and Speaker, Proving Landslide Claims, Law Seminars International, 2016
- Mr. Peterson was a speaker in the Full-Take vs. Part-Take segment of the 18th Annual Southern California Eminent Domain Institute sponsored by CLE International in San Diego, California on February 26, 2016., Speaker, Full-Take vs. Part-Take, CLE International, 2016
- Mr. Peterson has been a featured speaker on eminent domain in several broadcast media segments, including Marketplace on National Public Radio, Patt Morrison's KPCC radio show, and a KNBC news segment on inverse condemnation. He has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times and in the Los Angeles Business Journal in articles involving his cases
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Argued to the California Supreme Court in the review of Weiss v. People ex rel. Dept. of Transportation (2018) 20 Cal.App.5th 1156 where the 4th DCA determined the motion proceeding established by Code Civ. Proc. sec. 1260.040 is not a proper way to seek judicial resolution of an inverse condemnation claim. This resulted in a split of authority with the 2nd DCA in Dina v. People ex rel. Dept. of Transportation (2007) 151 Cal.App.4th 1029. Review granted in Weiss by the California Supreme Court on June 13, 2018. s248141. The Weiss opinion was not depublished pending review. Weiss was referenced by the California Supreme Court in Footnote 1 of City of Oroville v. Superior Court (2019) 2019 Cal. LEXIS 5950., 2020
- Successfully argued appeal of Weiss v. People ex rel. Dept. of Transportation (2018) 20 Cal.App.5th 1156 where the 4th DCA determined the motion proceeding established by Code Civ. Proc. sec. 1260.040 is not a proper way to seek judicial resolution of an inverse condemnation claim. This resulted in a split of authority with the 2nd DCA in Dina v. People ex rel. Dept. of Transportation (2007) 151 Cal.App.4th 1029. Review granted in Weiss by the California Supreme Court on June 13, 2018. s248141. The Weiss opinion was not depublished pending review. Weiss was referenced by the California Supreme Court in Footnote 1 of City of Oroville v. Superior Court (2019) 2019 Cal. LEXIS 5950., 2018
- Selected for study group of attorneys featured in How Leading Lawyers Think, by Randall Kiser (Springer Science + Business Media, 2011), 2011
- Elected as Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2010
Industry Groups:
- Agricultural Properties
- Commercial Properties
- Convenience Stores
- Food Processing Plants; Distribution Facilities
- Gas Stations
- Industrial Properties
- Landfills
- Mobile Home Parks
- Multi-Family Properties
- Oil and Gas Properties
- Quick Service Restaurants
- White Tablecloth Restaurants
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