Representative Matters

The Priest Law Offices has been involved in many important cases throughout California. Our representative matters include: 

• Vantrood v. Santa Clara County (Land Use, Subdivisions): This published appellate case established the position that a County cannot eliminate a landowner's separate parcels when a landowner has not consented in writing to a lot merger.
• Gombos v. Redwood Empire (Public Dedication, Easements): This published appellate case established for the first time that implied public dedications are limited like prescriptive easements.  The property owners (Mr. van't Rood's clients) successfully prevented a logging company from using their private road for logging trucks.
• Real Estate Contract, Land Use: Mr. van't Rood successfully defended a real estate contract dispute for a seller and obtained consent from the county for a land division that the plaintiff buyer alleged was impossible.
• Construction Law: Mr. van't Rood was instrumental in settling a complex construction contract dispute saving the clients hundreds of thousands in legal fees and completing a significant construction project.
• Government, Land Use: Mr. van't Rood headed an effort to incorporate the community of San Martin.  In that effort, he negotiated with LAFCO and Santa Clara County in the long and difficult process of applying for incorporation of a new town.