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EARLY DAYS
The Desmond firm was established in 1938 by Senator Earl D. Desmond and E. Vayne Miller, whose practice emphasized representing property owners in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and real estate dispute proceedings. From 1951 to 2004, Richard F. Desmond established himself as the premier advocate for protecting the property rights of his clients in eminent domain, condemnation, loss of business goodwill, and inverse condemnation. Mr. Desmond's successor, Gary Livaich, has continued the firm's zealous representation of individual property rights, which has continued to this day with Brian Manning managing the firm's eminent domain practice group.
TODAY
The firm's standing in the legal field remains as strong as ever. For over 80 years, the Desmond firm has put our clients goals and needs first and foremost. We make sure that our clients are given honest, straight forward advice, and are informed every step of the way. While no case is too bog or too small, each case is analyzed so every thing we do makes the most economic sense while giving us the best chance to meet our clients' goals and expectations.
The firm’s practice areas include eminent domain, real estate, bankruptcy, business, and estate planning. The eminent domain practice involves all aspects of the rights of private property owners, including disputes with governmental entities, damage to and taking of private property by governmental action, valuation of real and personal property, loss of goodwill and severance damages.
Our real estate practice involves land use and entitlement, easements, and other real property related issues. Gary Livaich, Brian Manning, and Kristen Renfro work in the firm’s eminent domain and real estate practice.
The bankruptcy and business practice involves all aspects of disputes between debtors and creditors including reorganization and liquidation bankruptcies, commercial litigation, and general business planning. J. Russell Cunningham, William Nolan, Nicholas Kohlmeyer, and Kristen Renfro work in the firm’s bankruptcy and business practice.
The estate planning practice involves all aspects of estate planning, trust creation and administration, wills, probate and estate litigation. Edward K. Dunn works in the firm’s estate planning practice.