Property and Zoning Litigation Takes Center Stage at Pugh Hagan Prahm

Pugh Hagan Prahm is well-known for its real estate and development practice. In 2017, zoning and property disputes have become a significant part of Pugh Hagan Prahm’s litigation practice.

Since May, the attorneys at Pugh Hagan Prahm have filed three Petitions for Writs of Certiorari challenging the actions of an “inferior tribunal.” See Iowa R. Civ. P. 1.1401. Two of these actions challenge zoning decisions in Johnson County. Writs have been issued in each. The third action challenges a road vacation in Washington County. There, Pugh Hagan Prahm successfully resisted defendant’s motion to dismiss and is awaiting issuance of the writ.

Pugh Hagan Prahm is also litigating several property disputes on behalf of individuals and corporations. In one action, the firm is defending claims of boundary by acquiescence (or “boundary by fence line”) and adverse possession well as claim to quiet title, in which the firm’s expert uncovered a “smoking gun” document concerning inconsistent legal descriptions in the deeds at issue. In another, the firm has asserted a claim of adverse possession based on the client’s possession and improvement of the disputed parcel over thirty years. Pugh Hagan Prahm is also defending an action in which one non-profit corporation has asserted claims of trespass and quiet title against another non-profit pursuant to its “fiscal sponsorship” of the repair of an historic bridge.

If you have questions regarding real estate development, land use, zoning or litigation please reach out to any one of the attorneys at Pugh Hagan Prahm.