NEWPORT BEACH, CA--(Marketwired - Jan 15, 2014) - Newmeyer & Dillion, LLP, one of California's most successful multi-service business and real estate law firms, has won a substantial victory in an eminent domain case involving Caltrans, the state agency responsible for highway, bridge and rail transportation planning, construction and maintenance.

Newmeyer & Dillion attorneys Charles Krolikowski, Lily Toubi and Jack Rubin represented an operator of a Chevron station on Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. The station was taken and demolished by Caltrans to make way for the Interstate 5/Ortega Highway Interchange Improvement Project. Caltrans initially offered no financial compensation whatsoever to the owner for the value of the business.

At trial, Caltrans estimated the value of the business at $300,000. The business owner estimated the station's value at approximately $1.4 million. The case went to jury trial in Orange County Superior Court to resolve the difference between the respective business values. After five days of testimony, the jury awarded the station's operator $921,500 in business goodwill. The operator will be seeking court costs, attorney fees and expert fees in post-trial proceedings.

"Even small business owners have to fight for their just compensation when faced with a taking of their business and no offer from the government," said Krolikowski, lead trial counsel for the business owner. "We are pleased with the jury's decision in this case."

About Newmeyer & Dillion LLP
Newmeyer & Dillion, LLP is a creative and highly motivated business and real estate law firm with 68 attorneys practicing in complex business, real estate, insurance, environmental and employment law. For nearly 30 years, Newmeyer & Dillion attorneys have provided exceptional legal services in all phases of transactional and business litigation matters to Fortune 500 companies, medium and small businesses, and high net-worth individuals. Headquartered in Newport Beach, Calif., with a Northern California office in Walnut Creek and a Nevada office in Las Vegas, both the firm and its attorneys have been nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America©, as well as Super Lawyers Magazine. In addition, 10 of our top attorneys have achieved an AV Preeminent® score in the Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™, signifying the highest level of professional excellence. For additional information, call 949-854-7000 or visit www.ndlf.com.