Wyoming county apologizes for wrongful fee, pays family back
In early March, Wyoming homeowners Shelby and Trey Scharp received an unusual letter from their county government. The letter began, "Teton County made a mistake. We required you to pay an affordable housing mitigation fee that you did not need to pay. We are sorry… and regret every minute of distress this litigation caused you." That le ...
California retiree prepares for second Supreme Court battle
In April 2024, California retiree George Sheetz celebrated a rare legal milestone: a unanimous ruling in his favor by the U.S. Supreme Court. George sued his county government years prior after it refused to issue him a building permit until he paid a fee to fund future county traffic projects. Initially, California courts dismissed his claim, r ...
Today’s oral arguments in Pung v. Isabella County
This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Pung v. Isabella County, a lawsuit challenging a Michigan county's failure to provide just compensation after seizing and selling the Pung family home over a $2,200 tax debt that was never owed. Justice Sotomayor's remarks included a succinct summary of the case. "Justice Barrett very ...
The evolution of home equity theft : from Rafaeli to Pung
On February 25, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Pung v. Isabella County, the latest legal challenge to the practice of home equity theft to reach the high court. Pacific Legal Foundation's fight to end home equity theft began in 2015 and has already included a victory at the U.S. Supreme Court. But the Pung case presents a que ...
‘Mountain man’ continues legal battle challenging government bait-and-switch
Veteran and cowboy poet Wil Wilkins has lived in the Montana mountains his entire life. The "mountain man" generally spends his days working as a stonemason and blacksmith to create detailed, artisan pieces sought out by interior designers. He also devotes his energy to combatting government abuse—including the bait-and-switch that opened his ...
Tennessee town celebrates swift legal victory
A small town in Tennessee rang in the new year by celebrating a legal victory after a private group rapidly withdrew its lawsuit rather than defend its claims in court. In November 2025, the Alabama-based organization Tennessee Riverkeeper filed a short-lived lawsuit against the City of Luttrell, Tennessee, under the Clean Water Act's "citizen s ...
SCOTUS hears oral arguments in tariff challenges—PLF legal experts weigh in on hearing
Yesterday morning, a global audience tuned in to the U.S. Supreme Court's livestream to listen to oral arguments in the lawsuits over President Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs. Attorneys for the government presented arguments supporting the Trump administration's rationale for enacting the tariffs, while two sets of attorneys asked the ...
Ranching family settles lawsuit holding government accountable for property damage
A Wyoming ranching family is claiming victory after government officials agreed to settle their lawsuit. Tom and Ayda Hamman sued the Heart Mountain Irrigation District (HMID) after government workers caused thousands of dollars in property damage—and significant bodily injury—when they illegally destroyed fencing and an entryway on the family' ...