Overview
Stuart Alger represents real estate stakeholders in matters related to eminent domain, land use, property tax, special assessments and real estate litigation. Stuart began practicing law at the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, where he gained firsthand insight into the processes that drive government decisions regarding property. He leverages this experience to deliver optimal results to clients. Stuart has worked on high-profile projects in the Twin Cities, including the Minnesota Twins ballpark land acquisition and the Blue and Green Line light rail projects.
Eminent Domain
Stuart represents businesses and property owners facing full or partial government takings. He has represented many clients whose properties are fully or partially taken or damaged by major or minor projects throughout Minnesota, including the Metro-area light rail projects, various utility corridor projects and highway constructions and expansions. In all matters, he works to vigorously assert and defend client property rights, including their right to just compensation.
Land Use/Zoning and Entitlements
Stuart helps clients land the approvals and entitlements they need to push developments forward. Developers rely on Stuart’s experience navigating government processes to secure conditional use permits, rezoning approvals and variances. He has defended clients against municipal regulatory actions and has successfully defended clients whose development approval requests encounter objections.
Property Tax Appeals
Stuart helps clients reduce their property tax burden, often through negotiated settlements. For instance, he represented a major hotel and condominium in downtown Minneapolis in its efforts to reduce taxes on dozens of parcels located in the condominiumized elements of the building.
Special Assessments
Stuart helps clients reduce or eliminate the costly burden of special assessments. He has successfully assisted several owners facing assessments over road and utility projects.
Real Estate Litigation
Stuart represents clients in disputes over boundaries, fence lines, quiet title and title registration matters, partition matters, easement disputes (including access and dockage rights for lakeshore property), foreclosure, eviction and other real estate matters.
Personal Interests
In his spare time, Stuart enjoys playing ice hockey and participating in amateur theater.
Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Minnesota
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota
Clerkships
Minnesota Supreme Court, Hon. Russell Anderson and Hon. Edward Stringer, 2000-2001
Education
William Mitchell College of Law
J.D. summa cum laude, Law Review (executive editor) (2000)
Columbia University
M.A. in International Affairs (1987)
Concordia College at Moorhead
B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude (1985)
Insights & Events
Other Perspectives
- Current Lessons and Trends in Land Use
2019 Real Estate Institute, Minnesota CLE, October 2019 - Adverse Possession and Practical Location of Boundaries
Co-Author (with Steve Mayeron), Real Estate Law, Minnesota Practice Series, 2020
Leadership & Community
Pro Bono
Professional Associations
- Hennepin County Bar Association — Eminent Domain Section, Past Chair
- Minnesota State Bar Association
- Minnesota Eminent Domain Institute — Member and Treasurer
Civic Activities
- Lexington-Hamline Community Arts, Board of Directors, Member.
- Unity Church Unitarian, Board of Trustees, Trustee and Secretary, 2015-18