A Pipeline Demanded Their Land for Pennies. They Fought Back.
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When the government, or even a private company, takes your land using eminent domain, the law promises you just compensation. But what about the thousands of dollars you spent on legal fees fighting for your fair share? For a group of North Dakotans facing off against a natural gas company, the answer could be: Tough luck.
Today we’re joined by IJ Deputy Litigation Director Bob McNamara, and IJ attorney Matt Liles.
We’ll discuss what just compensation really means, how the government lets private companies abuse eminent domain, and what IJ is doing to stop it.
Related Case
Eminent Domain | Private Property
Stiffed by a Pipeline Company Wielding Eminent Domain, Plains Ranchers Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court
North Dakota ranchers fought a pipeline company with eminent domain power for the fair value of their land. But an appeals court said the company did not have to pay the ranchers’ attorney fees. That places property owners in a Catch-22 when it comes to getting a fair price: accept a low-ball offer for their land or fight for a…
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