Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC

08/06/2026

After Recovering More Than $755,000 for Lakeshore Trail Landowners, Stewart, Wald & Smith Files New Muskegon Lawsuit

Read the full press release:
https://www.swslegal.com/media/overview.html/article/2026/08/06/after-recovering-more-than-755-000-for-lakeshore-trail-landowners-stewart-wald-smith-files-new-lawsuit

📅Free Informational Meetings for Property Owners

Stewart, Wald & Smith will host three complimentary informational meetings for property owners who live along or near the Lakeshore Trail. Attorneys will explain the newly filed lawsuit, discuss how Rails-to-Trails cases work, answer questions, and explain who may be eligible to seek just compensation.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026
6:00 p.m.

Thursday, August 20, 2026
9:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m.

All meetings will be held at:
Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore
Conference Room
900 W. Western Ave.
Muskegon, MI 49441

Stewart, Wald & Smith brings you recent news and relevant blog articles on legal topics pertaining to rail trail conversions and landowner rights.

07/07/2026

🚨 Bonita-Estero Rail Trail Moves Forward: What Adjacent Landowners Need to Know

The proposed Bonita-Estero Rail Trail is moving closer to reality—but many adjacent property owners may not realize how the project could affect their property rights.

If your property borders the railroad corridor, now is the time to understand:
✔️ Whether you may have a legal claim
✔️ How trail conversions can impact adjoining properties
✔️ Why waiting too long could affect your rights

Many landowners are surprised to learn that they may be entitled to compensation when railroad corridors are converted into public trails.

Read our latest blog to learn what every adjacent landowner should know and why acting early matters.

🔗 https://www.swslegal.com/media/blog.html/article/2026/07/07/bonita-estero-rail-trail-moves-forward-what-adjacent-landowners-need-to-know-about-their-property-rights



If you own property along the corridor and have questions about your rights, contact Stewart, Wald & Smith for a free consultation.

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The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Disregard this solicitation if you have already engaged a lawyer in connection with the legal matter referred to in this solicitation. You may wish to consult your lawyer or another lawyer instead of me (us). The exact nature of your legal situation will depend on many facts not known to me (us) at this time. You should understand that the advice and information in this solicitation is general and that your own situation may vary. This statement is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Missouri.

07/06/2026

Another victory for private property rights.

Stewart, Wald & Smith is proud to announce that landowners along the Lakeshore Trail have received more than $750,000 in compensation after the federal government's rail-to-trail conversion resulted in a taking of their property rights under the Fifth Amendment.

While trails provide tremendous benefits to communities, the Constitution requires that landowners receive just compensation when their property rights are taken. We're honored to help ensure those rights are protected.

If you own property along a railroad corridor that has been converted—or is proposed to be converted—into a recreational trail, you may have legal rights.

Read the full announcement:
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/924747870/landowners-along-lakeshore-trail-receive-750-000-in-settlement-over-property-rights

Learn more about Rails-to-Trails litigation:
https://www.swslegal.com

Landowners whose property is taken for recreational trails rely on Stewart, Wald & Smith to recover money for them from the government.

04/20/2026

Illinois Landowners Receive Final Award in the Peoria County Rails-to-Trails Case

Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC, a Missouri firm focusing on national Rails-to-Trails litigation, recovered over $1 Million from the federal government in the final phase of their representation of 116 landowners in Peoria County, IL. The firm has been representing landowners who own property adjacent to the proposed Hanna City Trail since 2013.

Stewart, Wald & Smith brings you recent news and relevant blog articles on legal topics pertaining to rail trail conversions and landowner rights.