Insight
Goldstein, Rikon, Rikon & Houghton, P.C.
Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
Goldstein, Rikon, Rikon & Houghton, P.C. has been at the forefront of protecting property owners’ rights to obtain just compensation since 1923. It is the only law firm in the state of New York that restricts its practice to eminent domain and condemnation law.
“Eminent domain cases represent a drastic operation of the law,” notes partner Michael Rikon, who is the New York State-designated eminent domain attorney for the Owners’ Counsel of America. “You really only get one opportunity to litigate these cases; because of that, they require tremendous vigilance by a knowledgeable attorney to ensure that justice prevails.”
By limiting their practice to the trial of eminent domain cases, the attorneys of Goldstein, Rikon, Rikon & Houghton have become authorities in the area, securing many significant awards for their clients. For example, Jonathan Houghton recovered $67 million for CSX Railroad in the Appellate Division following the reversal of a Court of Claims award for a New York State taking. Michael Rikon recovered $47,250,000 for the taking of self-storage facilities for an expansion of Columbia University. Joshua Rikon recovered $750,000 for Portuguese Community Center. The condemnor’s offer of damages was zero.
Given his expertise, Rikon is often asked to write and lecture on eminent domain issues. Mr. Rikon has also authored a column on condemnation law in the New York Law Journal for the past 26 years and is regularly included in The Best Lawyers in America.
“Eminent domain cases represent a drastic operation of the law,” notes partner Michael Rikon, who is the New York State-designated eminent domain attorney for the Owners’ Counsel of America. “You really only get one opportunity to litigate these cases; because of that, they require tremendous vigilance by a knowledgeable attorney to ensure that justice prevails.”
By limiting their practice to the trial of eminent domain cases, the attorneys of Goldstein, Rikon, Rikon & Houghton have become authorities in the area, securing many significant awards for their clients. For example, Jonathan Houghton recovered $67 million for CSX Railroad in the Appellate Division following the reversal of a Court of Claims award for a New York State taking. Michael Rikon recovered $47,250,000 for the taking of self-storage facilities for an expansion of Columbia University. Joshua Rikon recovered $750,000 for Portuguese Community Center. The condemnor’s offer of damages was zero.
Given his expertise, Rikon is often asked to write and lecture on eminent domain issues. Mr. Rikon has also authored a column on condemnation law in the New York Law Journal for the past 26 years and is regularly included in The Best Lawyers in America.