Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
John S. Peterson
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
John S. Peterson is recognized for his work in the areas of eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and landslide and subsidence litigation. He is the founder and managing shareholder of Peterson Law Group Professional Corporation in Los Angeles, California and with offices in Irvine, California. John Peterson is an associate of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has been featured as an attorney speaker on eminent domain on local television and national radio shows, and has been quoted in the Los Angeles Times and the L.A. Business Journal on articles involving his cases. Mr. Peterson has served as trial counsel in numerous successful jury trials on behalf of his clients. He is currently engaged in several multi-million cases on behalf of owner clients against various government agencies throughout California. In 2020, Peterson successfully argued before the California Supreme Court in Weiss v. People ex rel. Dept. of Transportation (2020) 9 Cal. 5th 840. The Supreme Court returned a unanimous decision, in favor of Peterson's clients, disapproving existing case law. The Court determined Code Civ. Proc. sec.1260.040, a code section in the Eminent Domain Law for pretrial rulings on issues of compensation, is not appropriate for use in determination of inverse condemnation liability.
Overview
- University of California Los Angeles, J.D., graduated 1981
- University of California - Los Angeles, BA-Economics, graduated 1978
- American Bar Association - Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates - Associate
- American Bar Association - Member
- American Board of Trial Advocates - Associate
- University of California Los Angeles, J.D., graduated 1981
- University of California - Los Angeles, BA-Economics, graduated 1978
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Los Angeles (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Los Angeles County MTA Purple Line Extension vs. Beverly Hills Commercial Buildings
$25,889,600 settlement from MTA for two adjacent commercial properties on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills which were acquired for the Purple Line Extension. 2016
- City of Los Angeles vs. Seed Company
$ 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 decades, was displaced for the Sixth Street Bridge/Viaduct Replacement project. The City initially offered $ 2,220,000 for a full acquisition, which included the acquisition of 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
- City of Los Angeles vs. Kosher Foods Distributor
$ 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
- State of California vs. El Pollo Loco Franchisee
$ 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
Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.
Please use the print button to print this profile page.