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Eminent Domain Trial Produces Large Verdict For Displaced Small Business

Andersen, Tate & Carr litigator Matt Reeves represented local small business Quality Mechanical, Inc. in a three and one-half day Gwinnett County jury trial in October of 2009 which concluded in a verdict that awarded the firm’s client over ninety-three percent (93%) of compensation which was requested at trial.  The case involved complex commercial real estate appraisals, real estate valuation and zoning issues, and applied the Georgia Landowners Bill of Rights relocation provisions enacted in 2006 following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Kelo decision.  The jury awarded Quality Mechanical, Inc., a longtime downtown Lawrenceville small business which was forced out of its building by a road widening project, over $550,000 despite the condemnor’s request that the jury only award $240,000.  The Court later added a large amount of prejudgment interest to the verdict.  Matt Reeves and other firm attorneys have extensive experience helping private property owners obtain just and adequate compensation in eminent domain matters.