Peter H. Webster focuses his practice in the areas of Real Estate Litigation, Eminent Domain, and Commercial & Business Litigation. Mr. Webster has represented landowners and developers, governmental authorities, utility, transmission, and pipeline companies, educational entities and others in matters involving acquisitions, easements and rights of way condemnation under eminent domain, permit and development rights and the protection of property rights.
Mr. Webster’s practice also focuses on Schools and Educational Institutions. He has successfully counseled the startup of many charter schools, including the Public School Academies of Detroit, initiated by the Thompson Educational Foundation and the nationally innovative Clara B. Ford strict discipline academy and Vista Meadows public school academy in collaboration with the Vista Maria organization.
Mr. Webster also handles all matters relating to public service and utility infrastructure including litigation, class action defense, operating agreements, governance, and acquisition agreements.
Mr. Webster’s practice also focuses on Schools and Educational Institutions. He has successfully counseled the startup of many charter schools, including the Public School Academies of Detroit, initiated by the Thompson Educational Foundation and the nationally innovative Clara B. Ford strict discipline academy and Vista Meadows public school academy in collaboration with the Vista Maria organization.
Mr. Webster also handles all matters relating to public service and utility infrastructure including litigation, class action defense, operating agreements, governance, and acquisition agreements.
Education & Credentials
Education
United States Merchant Marine Academy
B.S., 1987Wayne State University Law School
J.D., 1993- Wayne Law Review, Managing Editor
- cum laude
Bar Admission
Acknowledgements
- DBusiness Magazine
- "Top Lawyers." Land Use & Zoning Law, 2023
- The Legal 500 United States
- "Recommended Lawyer,"
- Michigan Super Lawyers®
- Eminent Domain, 2011-2023
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Land Use and Zoning, 2013-2024
- Commercial Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Municipal Law, 2024
Representative Clients
- FCA US LLC
- Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority
- Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership
- JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
- Oakland County Water Resources Commission
- Public School Academies of Detroit
- Road Commission for Oakland County
Prominent Assignments
Served as counsel for both businesses and landowners and condemning authorities throughout Michigan and the United States in state and federal courts, including regulatory, total and partial acquisitions, easements, and rights of way condemnation under eminent domain.
Represented various land developers for regional and community shopping centers, including branch banking, grocery, hotel, and chain retail clients.
Acted as counsel for Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority in the condemnation of 60 acres and 136 parcels for the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park and the Detroit Lions' Ford Field, tried 10 jury trials resulting in savings of more than $20 million.
Successfully defended landowner against the attempted taking of property by municipal cemetery.
Served as counsel to the Road Commission for Oakland County in the acquisition of rights of way throughout Oakland County including for eight modern roundabouts for the Northwestern Connector project. He also successfully tried to jury verdict one of largest eminent domain cases in Michigan history. In that case, the property owner and its attorneys sought $18.5 Million for 1.8 acres of commercial property where the Road Commission offered $3.81 Million. The jury return a favorable verdict of only $4.5 Million.
Represented energy pipeline and operators regarding acquisition of right of way and permit issues for utility corridors, including Enbridge Energy in the acquisition of hundreds of parcels for the Line 6B project from the Michigan – Indiana border to the Port Huron crossing to Canada.
Successfully defended Americans with Disabilities Act claims surrounding the implementation of modern roundabout and the nationally and internationally unique trial of "HAWK" signalization of roundabouts for visually impaired pedestrians.
Represented landowners and governmental authorities regarding Environmental and Part 91 Soil Erosion permitting and development issues.
Served as counsel for landowner protecting property rights against governmental taking and regulations regarding alleged historic designation.
Represented various land developers for regional and community shopping centers, including branch banking, grocery, hotel, and chain retail clients.
Acted as counsel for Detroit/Wayne County Stadium Authority in the condemnation of 60 acres and 136 parcels for the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park and the Detroit Lions' Ford Field, tried 10 jury trials resulting in savings of more than $20 million.
Successfully defended landowner against the attempted taking of property by municipal cemetery.
Served as counsel to the Road Commission for Oakland County in the acquisition of rights of way throughout Oakland County including for eight modern roundabouts for the Northwestern Connector project. He also successfully tried to jury verdict one of largest eminent domain cases in Michigan history. In that case, the property owner and its attorneys sought $18.5 Million for 1.8 acres of commercial property where the Road Commission offered $3.81 Million. The jury return a favorable verdict of only $4.5 Million.
Represented energy pipeline and operators regarding acquisition of right of way and permit issues for utility corridors, including Enbridge Energy in the acquisition of hundreds of parcels for the Line 6B project from the Michigan – Indiana border to the Port Huron crossing to Canada.
Successfully defended Americans with Disabilities Act claims surrounding the implementation of modern roundabout and the nationally and internationally unique trial of "HAWK" signalization of roundabouts for visually impaired pedestrians.
Represented landowners and governmental authorities regarding Environmental and Part 91 Soil Erosion permitting and development issues.
Served as counsel for landowner protecting property rights against governmental taking and regulations regarding alleged historic designation.
Professional Involvement
- State Bar of Michigan Foundation, Life Fellow
- State Bar of Michigan, Real Property, Litigation, Antitrust, and Trade Regulation Sections
- State Bar of Michigan, Real Property Section, Eminent Domain Committee, Co-Chairperson
- State Bar of Michigan, Standing Committee on Civil Procedure and the Courts, 2005-present
- Oakland County Bar Association
- Oakland County Inns of Court, Master
- Oakland County Bar Foundation, Fellow
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- American Bar Association, State and Local Government, Section Condemnation Committee, Former Vice Chairperson
Community Involvement
- State Board of Ethics, Chairperson
- Oakland County Brownfield Development Authority, Chairperson
- Detroit Regional Chamber, Life Member
- Automation Alley, Former Board Member
- Oakland County Business Roundtable, Former Member
- Former Oakland County Commissioner
- City of Royal Oak, Former Mayor Pro Tem, Commissioner, and Zoning Board of Appeals Member
- City of Royal Oak Downtown Development Authority, Former Board Member
Publications/Presentations
- Presenter, Annual Meeting Case Law Review, Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys, October 10, 2021
- Co-Author, "SCOTUS Continues to Extend Property Right Protections from Regulatory Takings," State Bar of Michigan Real Property Law Section e-Newsletter, August 2021
- Author, "Genesee County v. Wright - New Boundaries for the Government Tort Liability Act," Oakland County Bar Association - Laches, December 2019
- Presenter, Litigating a Public Infrastructure Eminent Domain Case, 20th Annual Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys and Government Law Section Summer Education Conference, June 22-24, 2018
- Co-Author, Michigan’s Constitution Protects Business Owners Who Relocate Due to Taking of Eminent Domain, Michigan Real Property Review, 2011
- Co-Author, The General Effects of The Michigan Supreme Court’s “General Effects” Decision in Department of Transportation v. Tompkins, Michigan Real Property Review, 2008
- "Proposal 4: Proposed State Constitutional Amendment Restricting Eminent Domain Power," Dickinson Wright Real Estate News, Fall 2006