Zephier & LaFleur PC

Zephier & LaFleur PC provides legal representation and advice on personal injury law, workers' compensation, bad faith insurance law, wrongful death, and tribal law in South Dakota.

The firm does federal 5th Amendment takings claims involving the conversion of privately owned railroad rights-of-way to public walking trails (so-called "Rails to Trails”) for landowners located in various states across the United States, as well as other inverse condemnation and eminent domain matters. These types of cases normally involve a railroad which desires to abandon miles of railroad track and right-of-way in a state, but certain organizations request the United States to stop landowners acquiring state-based legal rights to their underlying property in the former railroad right-of-way - thus, the need for federal court intervention. Our practice originates cases in the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C., where the United States government is the only defendant. Every state has different laws concerning a landowners rights in the process. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Robin Zephier to discuss your case at 605-342-0097