Altmans Winnebago
11 | 24 | 2009
Case Study
The Legal Challenge:
Altmans Winnebago opened its flagship location on Baldwin Park Boulevard almost 40 years ago, in 1971. Since then, the Altman family expanded its business to become one of the premiere RV dealerships in the state and one of the top Winnebago dealerships in Southern California, employing up to 160 people at its three dealership locations.
In 2002, Caltrans notified Altmans Winnebago that it might seize an undefined “portion” of the family’s primary location and corporate headquarters through eminent domain. Although Caltrans repeatedly publicized its plans to expand the I-10 (San Bernardino) Freeway, Caltrans took little action until 2007, when Caltrans finally made an offer - only $958,000 - for the Altman family's land. Caltrans offered nothing for the Altman family's business.
The Altman family hired the Luce Forward eminent domain team to litigate on its behalf. While Caltrans deemed the business “valueless,” the family’s appraisers placed the value of the property and business much higher.
Client Results:
Caltrans surrendered just one week before a scheduled two-week jury trial in Los Angeles Superior Court. To avoid the trial, Caltrans agreed to pay the Altman family just under $8 million - more than eight times its original offer for all the land, business, goodwill and precondemnation damages.
The client reports the "professionalism and kindness" of the Luce Forward team "made this experience bearable." Today, the Altman family’s remaining dealerships in Carson and Colton, California continue to thrive.