Nichols on California Eminent Domain

Mr. Dankert is a graduate of the University of Tampa (B.S) and of Loyola University School of Law of Los Angeles (J.D.). He has been a practicing condemnation trial lawyer for more than 35 years, starting as a condemnation trial lawyer for the California Division of Highways and continuing in the District Attorney's Office of Ventura County. In 1963, he went into practice in Ventura, California, where he has specialized in condemnation law, representing over 500 property owners and public agencies. He has also lectured extensively on numerous aspects of the law of eminent domain. From 1973 to 1982, Mr. Dankert was the official Consultant on Eminent Domain to the California Law Revision Commission. During this time period, the Commission rewrote the eminent domain laws of California. This resulted in the enactment of the Eminent Domain Law, which became effective in 1976.

Between 1968 and 1992, Mr. Dankert was a member of the California State Bar Committee on Condemnation, serving at various times as Committee Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Committee Advisor.

Mr. Dankert was a member of the International Legislative Review Committee of the International Right-of-Way Association from 1973–1980 and was the Chairman of that committee from 1973–1974. He has also been an International Director of the International Right-of-Way Association.