Wood & Lamping has had great success over the years in helping communities resolve legal issues through collective bargaining or mediation, and avoiding costly litigation. But in some cases, especially those involving more than two parties (such as eminent domain matters), litigation becomes necessary because all parties cannot agree on the proposed decision or outcome. If even just one individual is dissatisfied with the proposal, negotiations stall and litigation is inevitable.

We understand that matters such as zoning require a delicate balancing of the rights, goals and emotions of all the individual parties versus the common interests and desires of the community as a whole. With substantial experience in community-related legal matters (including such high-profile cases as Norwood v. Horney, which was ruled by the Ohio Supreme Court in favor of the homeowners Wood & Lamping represented), we are especially effective at tactfully helping all parties focus on the main issue(s) instead of the emotional ones, to bring the matter to resolution as quickly as possible.

• Litigation against (and by) communities typically occurs in cases involving:
• Eminent domain
• Selection of contractors and other vendors for the community
• Hiring, promotion and termination of employees
• Placement of structures like cell phone towers
• Property expansions (especially schools, churches and other public or private institutions)
• Placement and content of signage

We will do everything we can to bring all parties to consensus through mediation and achieve resolution outside the courtroom, and progress to litigation only when necessary.