Articles

In late May, PLF attorneys filed this brief on the merits in the case of Knick v. Township of Scott, Pennsylvania, which is currently before the United States Supreme Court. The Knick case is a property rights dispute arising from a Town’s efforts to force Ms. Rose Mary Knick to allow the public to enter and … ...

Today, we submitted an amicus brief in the California court of appeal in San Diego Unified Port District v. California Coastal Commission. The case concerns the Port’s attempts to modify its land-use plan for Harbor Island, a popular tourist spot in San Diego Bay. The Commission denied the Port’s requested modification (which would fac ...

In 1996, Dr. Mark and Bella Greene, a couple from Pennsylvania, bought an older beach house in Playa Del Rey, Los Angeles. Their plan is to remodel this home and spend their retirement in southern California close to their son and their grandchildren. A few years ago, they started the process to get permits for … ...

Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit issued an excellent opinion in Chmielewski v. City of St. Pete Beach. In this case, the City of St. Pete Beach, through a series of actions, authorized and encouraged the public to use the private property around Katherine Chmielewski’s home, without paying for it.  The … ...

We’ve written extensively about negative developments in California eminent domain use over the years, but today we filed this comment letter with the California Senate Judiciary Committee in support of a positive reform attempt, SB 1167. SB 1167 would require governments to issue a final offer of compensation whenever they initiate condemn ...

The California Coastal Act was designed to preserve coastal resources and public beach access while also protecting private property rights.  In furtherance of the last goal, the Coastal Act protects the right of property owners to build seawalls and other devices to protect their homes from storms and erosions.  Yet, over the past few years, &# ...

The Supreme Court grants important Endangered Species Act case, defending the right to protect private property against natural hazards, and PLF is objecting to involuntary bar membership for attorneys. … ...

PLF asks the Michigan Supreme Court to stop theft by tax collectors, the ongoing fight to defend public land access for all, and more U.S. Supreme Court activity. … ...

PLF supports property owners’ right to a jury in federal takings cases, Code violations should not be a city’s no-appeal cash machine, and Courts should rule in the best interests of Indian children—just like other children are treated. … ...