The attorneys at The Odom Firm, PLLC are proud of what we have been able to accomplish for our clients. Whether by jury verdict or agreed-upon settlement, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that our clients are justly compensated for the taking of their properties or injuries. The cases set forth below are a sampling of results achieved for our clients.
This is a partial list and does not constitute a promise of any kind. Please remember that these cases and the results achieved were based on many factors and results differ from case to case, depending on the circumstances particular to each situation. The outcome of a particular case cannot be predicated upon an attorney's or a law firm's past results. Our past successes should not be construed as a representation that we will be successful with any particular case in the future, and not every case in which we have been involved has resulted in a favorable outcome.
Total Taking by Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education
Brief Statement of Claim:
The Board of Education took 4.3 acres for an elementary school; deposit of $252,000; jury verdict of $412,775; interest from the date of deposit $14,773.68; $1,834.55 in costs taxed against the Board of Education for mediation and deposition expenses.
Principal Damages:
Total taking of mother and son's 4.3 acres (two parcels) of property with three small rental houses which could have been developed into a subdivision.
Trial or Settlement:
Trial (One Week)
County where Tried or Settled:
Mecklenburg
Case Name and Number:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education v. Earl Chronister, 08-CVS-7785; Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education v. Margaret Chronister, 08-CVS-7786
Date Concluded: Judgment dated June 15, 2009.
Attorneys for Defendants:
Thomas L. Odom, Jr. and David W. Murray, The Odom Firm, PLLC of Charlotte.
Verdict Published in North Carolina Lawyer's Weekly, February 1, 2010
Total Taking by City of Charlotte
Brief Statement of Claim:
City took 3.6 acres for airport purposes; deposit of $845,500; jury verdict of $2,000,000; interest from the date of deposit $169,724; $44,874 in costs taxed against the City for deposition expenses and expert witness expenses.
Principal Damages:
Total taking of husbands and wife's 3.6 acres of income producing property used for a rental car business and airport parking prior to the taking.
Trial or Settlement:
Trial (Two Weeks)
County where Tried or Settled:
Mecklenburg
Case Name and Number:
City of Charlotte vs Hurlahe, et al, 02-CVS-22903
Date Concluded: Judgment dated November 9, 2004.
Attorneys for Defendants:
Thomas L. Odom, Jr. and T. LaFontine Odom, Sr., The Odom Firm, PLLC of Charlotte.
Partial Taking by N.C. DOT-Inverse Condemnation
Brief Statement of Claim:
DOT filed condemnation action for temporary construction easement of 6663 square feet for new highway; deposit of $3,600; counterclaim by landowner for inverse condemnation of 5.75 acres; landowner prevailed at Section 136-108 hearing over DOT's argument that the 5.75 acres had been dedicated; DOT appealed; Court of Appeals Affirmed; Supreme Court denied Certiorari; Settlement of $575,000.
Principal Damages:
Taking of 5.75 acres and construction easement.
Trial or Settlement:
Section 108 Hearing and Settled after Appeals exhausted.
County where Tried or Settled:
Mecklenburg
Case Name and Number:
DOT v. Elm Land Co., et al, 00-CVS-18104; 163 N.C. App 257, 593 S.E. 2d 131, cert denied, 358 N.C. 542, 599 S.E. 2d 42 (2004)
Date Concluded:
June , 2004
Attorneys for Defendants:
T. LaFontine Odom, Sr. and Thomas L. Odom, Jr., The Odom Firm, PLLC of Charlotte.
Total Taking by N.C. DOT
Brief Statement of Claim:
DOT took 6196 square feet of land and 18,000 square foot building for train station in uptown Charlotte; deposit of $586,000; settled at mediation for $986,000.
Principal Damages:
Total taking of landowner's 6196 square feet of land and 18,000 square foot building as an art gallery, performing arts venue, and artist studios.
Trial or Settlement:
Settled at mediation.
County where Tried or Settled:
Mecklenburg
Case Name and Number:
DOT vs. Hart, et al, 03-CVS-2005
Date Concluded:
August, 2004
Attorneys for Defendants:
Thomas L. Odom, Jr. and T. LaFontine Odom, Sr., The Odom Firm, PLLC of Charlotte.
CONSUMER LAW/BANKRUPTCY
Brief Statement of Claim:
Auto repair sole proprietorship claiming to be a "pure trust" filed action and claimed materialman and possessory lien for repairs to auto; consumer counterclaimed for unlawful repair charges and lien fees, unfair and deceptive trade practices and punitive damages; Judgment on counterclaim of $20,000 trebled to $60,000 and attorneys fees of $17,000; Jury verdict of $350,000 on punitive damage claim reduced to $250,000; Fraudulent Deeds of Trust and transfer of assets to "Pure Trusts"; consumer/creditor put Plaintiff/debtor into Involuntary Bankruptcy; Trustee appointed; Fraudulent Deeds of Trusts and transfers to be set aside and sale of assets by trustee; Settlement of $360,000.
Principal Injuries:
Damage to auto and loss of use for over one year while Plaintiff held the auto of $20,000.00 (trebled) to $60,000.00 and award of attorney fees of $17,000.00; punitive damage verdict of $350,000.00 reduced to $250,000.00
Trial or Settlement:
Partial Summary Judgment and trial in District Court and settlement in Bankruptcy Court.
County where Tried or Settled:
Mecklenburg
Case Name and Number:
Burton v.Hobbs, 00-CVD-5450 (Mecklenburg County); In re: Burton, 02-3259 (W.D.N.C.)
Date Concluded:
May, 2004
Insurance Carriers:
N/A
Attorneys for Defendant Beverly Hobb:
Thomas L. Odom Jr., The Odom Firm, PLLC of Charlotte.
Jury awards $1.19M for the taking of horse farm property
Lawyers Weekly: Oct 15, 2007
This case arose when the plaintiff, the N.C. Department of Transportation, filed a condemnation action on March 2 2005.
The plaintiff took 3.1 acres of the defendant land owner's 19.9-acre horse farm for a relocated service road that was needed for a new interchange on 1-77 in Iredell County. The plaintiff deposited $157,000 upon filing the action.
The jury awarded $1.013,000 in damages. Judgment on the verdict awarded an additional $155,000 in post-taking interest and $21,000 in costs for expert witness fees. The final award of just compensation was $1,191,000.
The defendant and her late husband purchased the property in 1972, built their home, raised their family and for many years grew hay and boarded and trained horses on it.
The plaintiff's partial taking left the defendant with a 14-acre parcel of property and an irregular 2.6-acre parcel.
One of the defendant's witnesses, an MM real estate appraiser, said the difference in the fair market value of the property before and after the taking was $I,013,000.
Another witness, an expert in land use and zoning, said the original 19.9-acre property had the reasonable probability of being rezoned before value, and the taking affected the reasonable probability of rezoning the 2.6-acre parcel.
Also, an expert in landscape architecture, land planning and construction drawings for roads and highways for DOT approval, illustrated and explained the improvements and the effect of the taking on the property.
The plaintiff stated in opening statements that it would present evidence of a value between $127,000 and $157,000. However, the plaintiff did not submit any evidence at trial.
After the court entered judgment on the verdict on June 27, 2007, the plain-tiff filed notice of appeal. While the appeal was pending, the parties voluntarily agreed to resolve all issues, and an amended judgment on the verdict was entered in May 2007.
In that judgment, the plaintiff was ordered to pay into court a sum of $1,011,346 in addition to the $157,000 that the plaintiff had deposited with the clerk of court.
