Eminent Domain.

• Author: DeYoung, D. Tobyn
• Position: Annual Reports of Committees of the Florida Bar: 2018-2019

The Florida Bar's stated function of the Eminent Domain Committee is to study and keep informed of recent developments in the field of condemnation of private property for public use by governmental agencies or private companies who have the power of eminent domain. The Bar states that the committee should keep the members of the Bar informed of developments of great significance in this field, maintain liaison with private companies and governmental agencies who have and use the power of eminent domain, and study and consider legislation, law, or problems in the area of eminent domain law as developed by the committee or assigned by the president or the Board of Governors.

Membership in the committee has grown slightly since last year to the current 94 members. As in the past, members of the committee approach eminent domain from varying perspectives. The committee is made up of both government employee attorneys and private practice attorneys. The private practice attorneys represent both government entities (and utilities) and land/business owners in eminent domain matters; exclusively government agencies in these matters; or exclusively land/ business owners in eminent domain matters. Some of the attorneys practice exclusively in the area of eminent domain, but many do not. Several of the committee members also serve as mediators in eminent domain and inverse condemnation cases.

Committee Chair D. Tobyn DeYoung acknowledges with gratitude the hard work of the committee vice chairs: Kenneth C. Pope and Deborah A. Ruster. The vice chairs have served on the committee for many years. The vice chairs helped plan the meetings, obtain speakers and sponsors, and introduced the speakers. Further, the chair gives great thanks to our past committee liaison with The Florida Bar, Charles Early, and our new committee liaison, Emily Young, who helped organize the resources for the committee meetings including projectors, podiums, etc., obtained CLE credits, and were instrumental in setting up the committee's email exchange. On behalf of the committee, the chair also notes the contribution of the committee's liaison with The Florida Bar Board of Governors, Thomas P. Wert, and expresses appreciation for the interest of Florida Bar President Michelle R. Suskauer in the committee's work.

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