Article Detail

News & Knowledge

Brian Smith Appointed Chair of the Eminent Domain Committee for The Florida Bar

July 07, 2022

Lowndes is pleased to announce that Shareholder Brian Smith has been appointed chair of the Eminent Domain Committee for The Florida Bar. The Eminent Domain Committee is focused on studying and keeping 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.

Smith is also a member of the Real Property Litigation Committee of The Florida Bar, the Association of Eminent Domain Professionals and the Orange County Bar Association. 

In his legal practice, Smith counsels property and business owners across Florida through every stage of the often complex and confusing eminent domain and condemnation process. Smith’s mission is to protect his client’s property rights and ensure that the government fully compensates them for the taking and clients across Florida have trusted Brian’s guidance and representation in eminent domain matters for over 14 years.

About Lowndes

Founded in Orlando, Florida in 1969, Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor & Reed, P.A., is a multi-discipline business law firm. Our attorneys represent corporate, entrepreneurial and individual clients across a myriad of industries locally, nationally and beyond our borders, from offices in Orlando, Mount Dora and Melbourne, and through Meritas, an established global alliance of independent law firms offering local insight, local rates and world-class client service. LOCAL ROOTS. BROAD REACH.℠  


Brian

Brian Smith counsels property and business owners across Florida through every stage of the often complex and confusing eminent domain and condemnation process.

Eminent domain has been called “one of the harshest proceedings known to the law” by Florida’s courts. Peavy-Wilson Lumber Co. v. Brevard County, 31 So. 2d 483 (1947). For many Floridians, receiving the condemning authority’s Notice to Owner is the first time they learn that the government even has this power to take property.

Encountering such a challenging legal process, clients across Florida have trusted Brian’s guidance and representation in eminent domain matters for over 14 years. An experienced advisor is a property owner’s best asset when presented with the unwelcome reality of governmental takings.

Every property (and its owner) is unique, as are the issues presented by each taking. Brian approaches each matter by listening to his client’s story and seeking to understand their objectives. Only after that does he assemble a tailor-made team of experts to address the issues created by the taking and pursue the best outcome possible. Brian’s mission is to protect his client’s property rights and ensure that the government fully compensates them for the taking.

Brian has handled eminent domain cases for clients owning a variety of property types and uses, including:

  • Agricultural Land
  • Banks
  • Cellular Towers
  • Churches
  • Commercial Strip Centers
  • Condominiums
  • Convenience Stores
  • Fast Food Restaurants
  • Full-Service Restaurants
  • Gas Stations
  • Hotels
  • Industrial Parcels
  • Mining Operations
  • Multi-Family Residential
  • Multi-Tenant Office
  • National Grocery Stores
  • Nurseries
  • Outparcels
  • REITs
  • Single-Family Residential
  • Timeshare Developments
  • Warehouses
Meritas Law Firms Worldwide logo