Overview
Jack Sperber has been representing private owners and condemning entities in eminent domain proceedings for 25 years. He does this work around the country, and has been involved in more than 30 trials, numerous evidentiary hearings, and more than 20 appellate arguments. Jack is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and in addition to his active practice, also serves on Faegre Drinker’s executive leadership team.
Jack supports clients by:
- Serving as national eminent domain counsel to clients with large real estate portfolios.
- Representing property owners in complex, high-value condemnation litigation.
- Representing energy and utility companies in corridor acquisitions and other large energy projects and in defending against municipalization and other condemnation attempts affecting their own property.
Condemnation Proceedings
Jack represents landowners, developers, tenants and other private entities in all aspects of eminent domain proceedings. Although he primarily represents private owners facing condemnation, he also works with condemnors. He understands the objectives of both sides and can readily recognize and anticipate issues his clients may encounter.
He has counseled clients on eminent domain issues in more than 25 states, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to individual property owners, and has litigated some of the largest and most complex condemnation cases in the country.
He has counseled clients on eminent domain issues in more than 25 states, ranging from Fortune 100 companies to individual property owners, and has litigated some of the largest and most complex condemnation cases in the country.
Corridor Acquisitions
Jack represents utilities and energy companies in the acquisition of utility corridors and right-of-way for electric transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, water pipelines, and other large energy facilities. He counsels clients and manages projects from inception through acquisition of the final parcel — whether by voluntary agreement or through disputed condemnation proceedings ending in the appellate courts.
Jack also represents utilities facing the condemnation of their assets by governmental entities seeking to use the assets to form their own municipal utility, and in defending against other takings of their property.
Services & Industries
Credentials
Bar Admissions
Colorado
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado
Education
George Washington University Law School
J.D. with high honors (1992)
Adams State College
B.A. magna cum laude (1988)
Experience
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June 2018 1 min readProperty Owner Awarded More Than $28.5M in Just Compensation in City Condemnation ActionReal Estate and Construction Eminent Domain
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June 2018 1 min readXcel Energy Defends Against City's Attempt to Municipalize its Electric Distribution SystemReal Estate and Construction Eminent Domain Environment and Energy
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October 2017 1 min readReal Estate Developer Awarded $4.1M in City Condemnation ActionEminent Domain Development and Redevelopment Real Estate and Construction Disputes
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April 2015 1 min readProperty Owners Receives Condemnation Award Far Exceeding Town Offer for Recreational TrailLand Use Planning, Zoning and Litigation Real Estate and Construction Disputes
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2014 1 min readTruck Fleet Leasing Company Obtains $6.5M Settlement in Caltrans Condemnation ActionReal Estate and Construction Eminent Domain
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2005 1 min readTown of Telluride Condemns 572 Acres for Open Space PreservationReal Estate and Construction Land Use Planning, Zoning and Litigation Eminent Domain
Insights & Events
Insights
Other Perspectives
- Why Would Anyone Want to Do This Anyway? The Opportunities and Challenges of an Eminent Domain Practice
ALI-CLE, Charleston, SC 2018 - Colorado Eminent Domain Practice
CBA CLE, Denver, 2017 - Finding the Story of Your Case
ALI-CLE, San Diego, 2017 - Negotiation: When to Mediate and How to Demonstrate Risk to the Other Side Without Giving Away the Farm
ALI-CLE, San Diego, 2017 - It’s Not All About the Appraisers: How to Effectively Use Supporting Expert Witnesses
CLE International, Denver, 2016 - Introduction to Eminent Domain: Foundational Concepts
ALI-CLE, Austin, 2016 - How Jury Instructions Frame Your Case
ALI-CLE, San Francisco, 2015 - Finding the Key Differences in Your Case
ALI-CLE, New Orleans, 2014 - Initial Discovery in Eminent Domain Proceedings: Having a Plan and a Purpose
ALI-CLE, Miami, 2013 - How to Attack and Defend Comparable Sales
ALI-CLE, Miami, 2013 - Apportionment Issues from A-Z
CLE International, Denver, 2013 - A Clean Look at Dirty Property: Emerging Issues and Common Problems When Valuing Contaminated Properties in Eminent Domain Proceedings
ALI-ABA, 2011
Leadership & Community
Professional Associations
- Colorado Supreme Court’s Civil Jury Instruction Committee
- Counselors of Real Estate — Member
- Owners Counsel of America — Colorado Representative
Firm Leadership
- Executive Partner, Collaborating with other firm leaders to oversee the day-to-day management and operations of the firm, including implementing firmwide strategy and policy
- Faegre Baker Daniels —Management Board, 2014-20; Executive Committee, 2015-20
Honors
- American College of Trial Lawyers — Fellow, 2020
- The Best Lawyers in America — Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2008-20 (Denver Eminent Domain and Condemnation Lawyer of the Year, 2013 and 2018)
- Law Week Colorado — Lawyer of the Year, 2018
- Colorado Super Lawyers — Eminent Domain, 2006-20; Real Estate, 2006-11