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Casey Pipes, distinguished legal professional.
Preeminent Martindale Hubbell

Casey Pipes

Member of the Firm

An experienced attorney in the fields of eminent domain, condemnation, land use law, and zoning law, Casey has been with the Helmsing Leach since being admitted to practice law in Alabama in 1996.

Member Owners Counsel logo, legal expertise.

Areas of Focus

Casey has been a city’s outside city attorney for over the past 25 years. He has employed his municipal law expertise to represent owners and developers in their land use and zoning matters in other jurisdictions. Casey has also been representing parties in land condemnation and eminent domain matters for over the past 25 years. These practice areas are all related to Casey’s fundamental belief that the protection of property rights is fundamental to protecting all other rights and freedoms. In the context of property rights being infringed upon, such as by a zoning police power, or property rights being appropriated by the government, such as in a condemnation action, private property rights are still being protected by ensuring due process and payment of just compensation. There will always be a tension between private property rights and various forces which seek to infringe on or appropriate them, and this is the space where Casey has focused his legal practice.

In addition to representing parties in private practice, Casey also volunteers his time on real estate related consulting projects for governmental and non-profit entities through the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) Consulting Corps. Casey has served as the Team Leader for CRE Consulting Corps assignments in Thomasville, Georgia and in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Thomasville, Georgia assignment was to assist the local municipality and leaders in defining a vision for the decommissioned Southwestern State Hospital, a former institutional mental health care facility. The Knoxville project involved developing an analysis and strategy for future development and redevelopment of Knoxville’s South waterfront area.
Education IconEducation
  • Washington & Lee University, B.A., 1993
  • University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. cum laude, 1996
Awards IconProfessional Recognition
  • Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Ranked in Band 1 by Chambers & Partners
  • Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers for Mobile, Alabama in:
  • Municipal Law (2023)
  • Land Use and Zoning Law (2022)
  • Litigation - Real Estate (2021)
  • Land Use and Zoning Law (2020)
  • Land Use and Zoning Law (2018)
  • Municipal Law (2017)
  • Litigation - Real Estate (2016)
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers publications for his work in:
  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Municipal Law
  • Real Estate Law
Bar and Court Admissions IconBar & Court Admissions
  • Alabama 1996
  • U.S. District Court for Southern District of Alabama
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Professional Activities IconProfessional Affiliations
  • Fellow, American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL)
  • Member, Owner’s Counsel of America (OCA) (previously served on its Board of Directors)
  • Member, Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) (previously served on its Board of Directors and Executive Committee in addition to other leadership roles)
  • Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Member, Council of the Alabama Law Institute
  • Member, International Right of Way Association (IRWA)
  • American Bar Association (ABA) Real Property, Trust & Estate (RPTE) Section (served as this Section’s Chair of its Condemnation Committee from 2013-2015)
  • American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation (served as this Section’s Chair of its Condemnation, Zoning, and Land Use Committee from 2010-2013)
  • Affiliate Board Member of Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama (PCMA) (previously served as Affiliate Board Chairman)
Right Arrow IconSignificant Cases
Significant Cases
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  • Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
  • Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
  • Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
  • Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry's standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged.
Professional Service Activities
  • Team Leader, Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) Consulting Corps Assignment in Thomasville, Georgia – 2016
The Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) Consulting Corps provides real estate analysis and action plans for municipalities, not-for-profit organizations, government entities, educational institutions, and other nonprofit owners of real property. Casey led the volunteer Consulting Corps team, which was comprised of 5 CREs from various real estate professional disciplines around the country. The team spent a week in Thomasville, Georgia assisting the local municipality and leaders in defining a vision for the decommissioned Southwestern State Hospital, a former institutional mental health care facility. The team conducted interviews of local business and industry representatives, conducted property inspections, performed research, analyzed the market for the property, delivered an oral presentation to the client, and drafted a written report to the client. The report included a strategic plan with actionable steps that were focused on identifying the highest and best use for the property, creating a vision for the property compatible with the city’s other initiatives, recommending marketing strategies to promote the property, and addressing strategies to control, buy and/or finance the carrying costs of the property until the final re-development or adaptive re-use of the property is accomplished. Casey served as the team leader for this project. In addition to the six days and five nights spent in Thomasville working exclusively on this project, Casey spent approximately another 25 hours preparing, drafting, and editing the report. For more information on this project and its challenges, see: https://www.cre.org/cre-consulting-corps-making-difference-thomasvillegeorgia/
  • Volunteer lawyer for the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyer Program (SAVLP) providing pro bono legal services in the community.
Publications

Speeches and Presentations

The Eminent Domain Podcast

ALI-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, February 2-4, 2023, Austin, Texas - If it Walks like a Duck and Quacks like a Duck… - Differentiating between Easement and Fee Takings

Location Marker IconAustin, Texas

ALI-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, January 27-29, 2022, Scottsdale, Arizona – Fighting for Just Compensation by Fighting for Prejudgment Interest and The Emerging Challenge to the Constitutionality of a Taking Without Just Compensation: Rural Broadband

Location Marker IconScottsdale, Arizona

American College of Real Estate Lawyers National Conference, March 19-21, 2020, Charleston, South Carolina – Top 10 Issues Affecting Real Estate Decisions in 2019-2020

Location Marker IconCharleston, South Carolina

ALI-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, January 24-26, 2019, Palm Springs, California – Making the Case for Compensation for Unusual Properties: Lessons Learned on Jury Pitches

Location Marker IconPalm Springs, California

CLE International, Annual National Conference, Eminent Domain, All Points of View on Hot Topics Around the Country, December 11-12, 2017, Las Vegas, Nevada – Practice Pitfalls for Eminent Domain Practitioners

Location Marker IconLas Vegas, Nevada

Paul W. Brock American Inn of Court, monthly meeting, April 13, 2017, Mobile, Alabama – Hot Topics in Eminent Domain

Location Marker IconMobile, Alabama

International Right of Way Association (IRWA) Annual Right of Way Conference, March 1-3, 2017, Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Defending the Appraisal in Condemnation

Location Marker IconTuscaloosa, Alabama

American Law Institute (ALI-CLE), Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, January 26-28, 2017, San Diego, California – Exhibits in Eminent Domain: How to Make a Persuasive Case

Location Marker IconSan Diego, California

Appraisal Institute, Alabama Chapter Annual Meeting, December 4, 2016, Birmingham, Alabama – Appraisals in Eminent Domain

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

Baldwin County Alabama Bar Association, Annual CLE Seminar, October 28, 2016, Summerdale, Alabama – Land Use Law

Location Marker IconSummerdale, Alabama

CLE Alabama and Alabama State Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Section, Real Estate Law Seminar, October 14, 2016, Birmingham, Alabama – Recent Developments in Eminent Domain Law

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

National Business Institute (NBI) Land Use Law Seminar, September 13, 2016, Mobile, Alabama – Challenging or Appealing an Administrative Zoning Decision

Location Marker IconMobile, Alabama

American Law Institute (ALI-CLE) Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation seminar, January 28-30, 2016, Austin, Texas – Highest and Best Use in Convenience Store Takings

Location Marker IconAustin, Texas

Mobile County, Alabama Probate Court Eminent Domain Commissioner’s Training Session, November 18, 2015, Mobile, Alabama – Commissioner’s Hearings from the Landowner’s Perspective

Location Marker IconMobile, Alabama

Corporate Live Wire Virtual Round Table, Eminent Domain & Condemnation, 2014

CLE-Alabama and Real Property, Probate & Trust Section of the Alabama State Bar, Real Estate Law seminar, October 17, 2014, Birmingham, Alabama – Pre-Condemnation Considerations for Property Owners

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

National Business Institute (NBI) Land Use Law Seminar, October 2, 2014, Mobile, Alabama – Legal and Practical Considerations Relating to Annexations by Municipalities

Location Marker IconMobile, Alabama

American Law Institute (ALI-CLE) Condemnation 101: How to Prepare and Present an Eminent Domain Case, January 23-25, 2014, New Orleans, Louisiana – Right to Take Hearings — Condemnor and Condemnee Perspectives

Location Marker IconNew Orleans, Louisiana

American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate (RPTE) Section’s Fall Leadership Meeting, November 11, 2013, New Orleans, Louisiana – Real Property Hot Topics – Regulatory Takings Update in Alabama

Location Marker IconNew Orleans, Louisiana

CLE Alabama and Alabama State Bar Real Property, Probate & Trust Section Real Estate Law seminar, October 18, 2013, Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Inverse Condemnation and Regulatory Takings Claims in Alabama: How Recent Court Opinions Helped Property Owners by Not Recognizing Property Rights

Location Marker IconTuscaloosa, Alabama

Alabama Law Institute Probate Judge’s Conference, January 31, 2013, Point Clear, Alabama – Eminent Domain Law

Location Marker IconPoint Clear, Alabama

American Bar Association, Section on Litigation, Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Committee, Teleconference Roundtable, January 11, 2013 – Thinking Out Loud: Property Rights After Natural Disasters.

American Bar Association (ABA) Annual Meeting, August 13, 2012, Chicago, Illinois – The Uniform Relocation and Real Property Acquisition Act and how it can impact local condemnation actions

Location Marker IconChicago, Illinois

ALI-ABA Condemnation 101: Winning the High Ground with Fundamentals of Eminent Domain Valuation and Trial Practice, January 26-28, 2012, San Diego, California – Strategic Depositions: Deposing Valuation Experts

Location Marker IconSan Diego, California

Petroleum and Convenience Marketers of Alabama (PCMA) Annual Meeting, December 7, 2011, Birmingham, Alabama – Eminent Domain Laws of Interest to C-Store Site Owners and Operators

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

Strafford Webinar, Eminent Domain: Redevelopment Challenges for Local Government, December 1, 2011 – Compliance with Federal real property acquisition rules as a condition of receiving Federal Aid

ABA Section of Real Property, Trust & Estate Law – Condemnation Committee Conference Call, June 28, 2011 – Inverse Condemnation Claims Based On Right of Way Changes Without a Physical Taking

ALI-ABA Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, February 17-19, 2011, Coral Gables, Florida – Right of Way Changes without a Physical Taking – Is there an Inverse Condemnation Claim?

Location Marker IconCoral Gables, Florida

ALI-ABA Condemnation 101: Making the Complex Simple in Eminent Domain, February 17-19, 2011, Coral Gables, Florida – Working With Valuation Experts: Who, What, When, Where, How?

Location Marker IconCoral Gables, Florida

CLE International, Eminent Domain in Alabama, April 22-23, 2010, Birmingham, Alabama – Recent Updates

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

ALI-ABA – Condemnation 101: How to Prepare and Present an Eminent Domain Case, Miami, Florida, January 9, 2009 – Basic Exhibits that Help Win Condemnation Cases

Location Marker IconMiami, Florida

ABA Section of Litigation Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Litigation Committee and Environmental Litigation joint CLE Teleconference, February 12, 2008 – Environmental Regulations – Compensable Takings or Permissible Legislation?

ALI-ABA – Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, January 4, 2008, San Francisco, California – Working with Appraisers

San Francisco, California

CLE International, Land Use Law Seminar, October 28-29, 2007, Birmingham, Alabama; Co-Planning Chairman

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

CLE International, Land Use Law Seminar, October 28-29, 2007, Birmingham, Alabama – Annexation and Zoning Law in Alabama

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

ABA Annual Meeting, Section of Litigation, Condemnation, Zoning and Land Use Committee and Environmental Litigation, August 11, 2007, San Francisco, California – The Line Between Compensable and Non-Compensable Environmental Regulations

Location Marker IconSan Francisco, California

International Right of Way Association, Chapter 24 Summer Conference, July 27, 2007, Gulf Shores, Alabama – Eminent Domain in Alabama

Location Marker IconGulf Shores, Alabama

Lorman Education Services, July 17, 2007, Birmingham, Alabama – Creation of Easements

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

National Business Institute, October 17, 2006, Birmingham, Alabama – Eminent Domain: Legal Update

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

Alabama State Bar, What Every Real Estate Lawyer Needs to Know, October 13, 2006, Birmingham, Alabama – Drafting the Condemnation Provision in a Lease

Location Marker IconBirmingham, Alabama

ALI-ABA Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation, January 5-7, 2006, San Diego, California – How Compensation is Determined When the Highest and Best Use or Per Unit Values Are Not Uniform Throughout the Property

Location Marker IconDiego, California

Lorman Education Services, Law of Easements: Legal Issues and Practical Considerations in Alabama, April 27, 2005, Mobile, Alabama

Location Marker IconMobile, Alabama

National Business Institute, Road and Access Law In Alabama: How to Research and Resolve Access Disputes, March 15, 2005, Mobile, Alabama

Location Marker IconMobile, Alabama