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Civil Litigation

The Role of Contingency Clauses in Real Estate Contracts

By Peterson Law Group on December 1, 2025

A person signs a real estate contract on a clipboard while a small model house sits nearby on the desk. The image symbolizes the importance of contingency clauses in real estate contracts, highlighting buyer and seller protections, conditional terms, and the legal implications of contract breaches.

In California real estate transactions, contingency clauses play a big role in shaping the deal. These clauses can make or break a transaction. They protect the parties involved and determine whether a buyer or seller can legally back out of the agreement without penalty.

Posted in: Civil Litigation

Statute of Limitations for Construction Defect Claims in California

By Peterson Law Group on November 30, 2025

A partially constructed building shows a major structural failure with collapsed scaffolding and metal framework leaning outward. The image represents a construction defect in California and highlights the importance of understanding the statute of limitations for property owners seeking legal recourse for construction-related damages.

Faulty architectural design, poor contractor execution, and inadequate municipal oversight: There’s a lot of things that can go wrong on a real estate project. You don’t want to get caught holding the bag when somebody makes a costly mistake. That’s why it’s so important to have the right legal representation.

Posted in: Civil Litigation

Common Causes of Real Estate Litigation in California

By Peterson Law Group on October 15, 2025

A person in business attire holds a small model house over a desk with legal documents, a judge’s gavel, and handcuffs. The image symbolizes real estate litigation in California, representing property disputes, zoning issues, and legal actions involving ownership or construction defects.

California is a densely populated state with a considerable number of ongoing development projects, so it isn’t surprising when real estate issues arise. Whether it’s defective construction, a zoning issue that halts a multi-million dollar project, or some other type of dispute, real estate litigation can quickly become expensive and time-consuming.

Posted in: Civil Litigation

The Rise of Urban Development Disputes: LA Landowners and Litigation Hotspots

By Peterson Law Group on June 10, 2025

Construction cranes over a large, new residential or commercial development, symbolizing the surge in Los Angeles land use disputes and urban development lawsuits.

As LA continues its aggressive push for urban renewal, rezoning, and high-density construction, a growing number of Los Angeles land use disputes are emerging between developers, homeowners, and commercial property owners.

For many longtime landowners, redevelopment means more than cranes and concrete. It could mean losing control over how their property is used, enduring disruptive construction, and facing direct legal challenges from city planning agencies or private developers.

Posted in: Civil Litigation

CEQA Reforms and Their Impact on Property Development in California

By Peterson Law Group on May 11, 2025

Lady Justice statue with scales and gavel on lawyer’s desk in office

In California, land use and development are deeply intertwined with environmental oversight. For decades, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has served as a gatekeeper for new development, requiring environmental review before projects can proceed.

Posted in: Civil Litigation

20 Years After Kelo v. City of New London: What California Property Owners Need to Know

By Peterson Law Group on March 30, 2025

Skyline of Los Angeles with snow-capped mountain in background and palm trees in foreground.

Two decades ago, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered one of the most controversial property rights decisions in American history: Kelo v. City of New London (2005). The ruling upheld the government’s ability to seize private property for economic development projects led by private developers. The court justified the decision by classifying a private development project as “public use.”

Posted in: Civil Litigation

Landslide Liability: Legal Options for California Property Owners

By Peterson Law Group on March 17, 2025

Landslide debris covering a roadside sidewalk with fallen rocks and soil

In the wake of devastating wildfires in places like Altadena and Pacific Palisades, many California homeowners now face a secondary, equally destructive threat: landslides and mudslides. With hillsides stripped of vegetation, heavy rains can trigger catastrophic slope failures that damage homes, roads, and infrastructure.

Commercial Real Estate Litigation in Los Angeles: CEQA, Disputes & Defending Your Property Rights

By Peterson Law Group on March 15, 2025

Close-up of a wooden gavel with a brass band resting on a judge’s block, with legal books and scales of justice blurred in the background. The image represents commercial real estate litigation in Los Angeles, emphasizing property rights, CEQA disputes, and legal defense in complex property cases.

Commercial property owners and developers in Los Angeles face a challenging legal landscape. From environmental regulations to valuation disagreements and government land acquisition, litigation is often an unfortunate but necessary part of doing business in LA real estate.

Posted in: Civil Litigation

Zoning Changes: How to Challenge New Zoning Regulations

By Peterson Law Group on July 30, 2024

A little toy house on a small map of a city.

California zoning regulations are fundamental to property management. They govern land use and development across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. These regulations also dictate how land can be utilized, significantly influencing property values.

Posted in: Civil Litigation

Jurisdictional Challenges in California Civil Litigation

By Peterson Law Group on March 30, 2024

A statue of Justice holding a scale.

Jurisdiction in civil litigation is a significant preliminary issue because it dictates a court’s authority to handle a case. Without proper jurisdiction, a court cannot issue a valid judgment, potentially leading to legal confusion and unfair outcomes. Jurisdiction ensures cases are heard in suitable venues based on location, subject matter, and other factors.

Posted in: Civil Litigation

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