California Eminent Domain Law allows business owners to recover lost business "goodwill" when a public agency exercises condemnation. SP&H specializes in the valuation of compensable goodwill loss to businesses under California eminent domain statutes and redevelopment projects. We are the leading appraisal firm for cities, redevelopment agencies as well as business owners. In addition to having comprehensive experience in valuing businesses for eminent domain purposes, SP&H is thoroughly familiar with court cases and legal precedent influencing appraisal methodologies.

Our experience in business appraisals is extensive, encompassing both acquisitions and litigation. Our track record in court has been exceptional and our results reflect our commitment to quality, research, technology, training and professionalism. SP&H also proactively contributes back to the redevelopment community by committing time and resources to education. We are official trainers of the California Redevelopment Association's Redevelopment Institute, and we are the only firm that offers a series of intensive training seminars for goodwill loss valuation.

• Pre-condemnation studies
• Window estimates (preliminary budgetary estimates)
• Preliminary and comprehensive total goodwill or goodwill loss opinions
• Inverse condemnation and partial taking studies
• Expert witness testimony
• Presentations to city councils and governing regulatory agencies
• Goodwill loss seminars

In accordance with professional appraisal standards and requirements of California Eminent Domain statutes, SP&H's loss of goodwill valuation procedures include:

• Site inspections of site affected by condemnation and relocation site
• Analysis of company operations
• Financial statement analysis
• Qualitative and quantitative industry analysis
• Competition analysis
• Economic analysis
• Market research
• Valuation analysis
• Conclusion of value in the before condition and the after condition
• Opinion of loss of goodwill

Our goodwill loss valuation reports meet the requirements for exchange in eminent domain court proceedings and are fully documented and thoroughly researched. The result - an impressive track record of court decisions on behalf of both business owners and governmental agencies.

Related Articles

• Redevelopment Agencies: Preliminary Goodwill Loss Analysis Can Save Time and Money
• Settling Goodwill Claims Before Trial: Prevent Costly Litigation & Uncertain Outcomes
• Another Resounding Victory for Cities, Redevelopment Agencies and Other Condemning Entities
• Qualifying the Expert Witness
• Court of Appeal Determines Entitlement to Compensation Must be Decided by Judge, not Jury
• Choosing the Right Appraiser, Right of Way Magazine, May/June 2003

Selected Testimonials

"I want to thank you again for the outstanding services provided to the City of Hawaiian Gardens Redevelopment Agency by you and your staff. The inverse condemnation action brought against the Agency by Bi-Rite Meat & Provisions Co., Inc. involved a unique one-of-a-kind business valuation issue with extraordinary complexity. Yet, despite the problems, you and your staff provided high quality research and a comprehensive analysis of the valuation problem.

"With all of the ammunition provided by your research and analysis, it was a pure joy to watch you testify before the jury as an expert witness. Your trial testimony unfolded exactly as we had prepared and anticipated. Your ability to present intricate valuation issues with simple, easily understood examples was the key to our success with the jury. You left the jury with the confidence to explicitly trust your analysis and disregard the unreasonably high valuation given by the opposing expert. The resulting jury verdict set a value that was $1.7 million less than Bi-Rite demanded...an outstanding and ultimately fair result!"
--Mr. Anderson, Attorney at Law