News
Jeff Tibbals Recognized as 2026 Super Lawyer in Eminent Domain, Evan Williams a Rising Star in Land Use and Zoning.
May 1, 2026
The South Carolina Super Lawyers for 2026 honored Bybee & Tibbals attorneys Jeff Tibbals as a Super Lawyer in Eminent Domain and Evan Williams as a Rising Star in Land Use and Zoning Law. Tibbals is an eminent domain attorney focused on obtaining just compensation for landowners in condemnation matters. Jeff is the South Carolina member of Owners’ Counsel of America, an exclusive national organization of leading eminent domain attorneys, limited to only one attorney per state. Jeff also serves as the chair of the Board of Zoning Appeals for the City of Charleston. He has tried real estate cases and handled appeals for over 20 years, including arguments in South Carolina appellate courts and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Williams focuses on real property litigation, including state and federal appeals, devoting his practice to eminent domain matters and disputes concerning easements, restrictive covenants, commercial real estate contracts, boundary lines, and other land use issues. Evan achieves successful results by employing detailed case strategies centered on each client’s unique position and overarching goals.
Jeff Tibbals Presents on the Impacts of Rising Sea Levels and Flooding on Takings Law and Land Use at ALI Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation 2026.
January 23, 2026
Owners Counsel of America South Carolina Primary Member Jeff Tibbals, along with colleague and fellow OCA Member Kristin Renfroe of Desmond, Nolan, Livaich & Cunningham, Sacramento, California, presented at the 43rd ALI Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation in Savannah, Georgia. The topic was “Low Country Boil: Takings and Land Use for Existential Flood Threats.” Tibbals and Renfroe discussed inverse condemnation liability in the unique context of flood protection, use of eminent domain for flood control projects and associated appraisal problems, and regulatory taking issues of increasing controversy in coastal areas.
Jeff Tibbals Presents on Regulatory Takings at Local Land Use in South Carolina Seminar in Charleston, South Carolina.
January 29, 2025
Jeff Tibbals presented to lawyers, government land use planners and other real estate professionals at the The Seminar Group's Land Use Law in South Carolina Continuing Legal Education on January 28, 2025 on the topic of "Regulatory Takings, Exactions, and Impact Fees Post-Sheetz". The seminar presented the various legal and regulatory mechanisms used to plan and regulate growth, real estate development, and other impacts from changes in the use of public and private property. The program includes both a broad overview for general knowledge and more detailed information on specific topics, such as zoning, annexation, environmental issues, and working with regulators.
Bybee & Tibbals Names Evan Williams as New Partner
January, 2025
Bybee & Tibbals, LLC is proud to announce that Evan Williams has been promoted to the role of partner in the firm. Evan, a 2014 graduate of the University of Illinois School of Law, has worked for the firm since 2018. Evan’s practice focuses on eminent domain and complex real estate litigation.
Valuing Properties in Transition
October, 2024
As appeared in ALI CLE’sThe Practical Real Estate Lawyer
Bybee & Tibbals Welcomes Gaillard T. Dotterer, III to Enhance Eminent Domain Practice
Bybee & Tibbals, LLC, an eminent domain law firm located in Mt. Pleasant, SC, is pleased to announce the hiring of a new attorney, Gaillard T. Dotterer, III, as the newest addition to our legal team. Gilly has several years of litigation experience in South Carolina in private practice with another local firm with a significant presence in Charleston, and brings a fresh perspective to our real estate litigation and condemnation practice. With his dedication to client service and proven track record of success, we are confident that Gilly will be an invaluable asset to our firm.
June 14, 2024
Bybee & Tibbals, LLC, an eminent domain law firm located in Mt. Pleasant, SC, is pleased to announce the hiring of a new attorney, Gaillard T. Dotterer, III, as the newest addition to our legal team. Gilly has several years of litigation experience in South Carolina in private practice with another local firm with a significant presence in Charleston, and brings a fresh perspective to our real estate litigation and condemnation practice. With his dedication to client service and proven track record of success, we are confident that Gilly will be an invaluable asset to our firm.
Bybee & Tibbals Present at Land Use Law in South Carolina Seminar in Charleston
Rick Bybee and Jeff Tibbals served as panelists for the continuing legal education program “Land Use Law in South Carolina” on Thursday, February 8, 2024, on the topic of “Eminent Domain, Inverse Condemnation, and Regulatory Takings.” This seminar presented the various legal and regulatory mechanisms used to plan and regulate growth, real estate development, and other impacts from changes in the use of public and private property.
February 8, 2024
Rick Bybee and Jeff Tibbals served as panelists for the continuing legal education program “Land Use Law in South Carolina” on Thursday, February 8, 2024, on the topic of “Eminent Domain, Inverse Condemnation, and Regulatory Takings.” This seminar presented the various legal and regulatory mechanisms used to plan and regulate growth, real estate development, and other impacts from changes in the use of public and private property.
Jeff Tibbals Selected as South Carolina Primary Member of Owners Counsel of America
Jeff Tibbals has been selected as the South Carolina member of Owners’ Counsel of America (OCA), an exclusive national organization of leading eminent domain attorneys. Tibbals is an eminent domain trial attorney who represents property owners facing the taking of their private property by a governmental entity through the power of eminent domain. The takings process, also known as condemnation, is typically initiated to convert private property to a public use, and the determination of the just compensation owed to the landowner (a constitutional right) is critical. OCA’s standards for adding new members are rigorous, entailing detailed examination of the types of cases handled, and considering the percentage of eminent domain cases undertaken on behalf of property owners rather than government entities.
February 3, 2024
Jeff Tibbals has been selected as the South Carolina member of Owners’ Counsel of America (OCA), an exclusive national organization of leading eminent domain attorneys. Tibbals is an eminent domain trial attorney who represents property owners facing the taking of their private property by a governmental entity through the power of eminent domain. The takings process, also known as condemnation, is typically initiated to convert private property to a public use, and the determination of the just compensation owed to the landowner (a constitutional right) is critical. OCA’s standards for adding new members are rigorous, entailing detailed examination of the types of cases handled, and considering the percentage of eminent domain cases undertaken on behalf of property owners rather than government entities.
Jeff Tibbals Presents at ALI CLE Program, Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation 2024, in New Orleans
Jeff Tibbals served on the faculty at the 41st Annual Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation 2024 CLE Conference, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Thursday, February 1, 2024. His presentation, given with attorney Diane Feuerherd and MAI appraiser Andrew Lines was entitled “Opportunity Zone: Determining the Highest and Best Use in an Area of Urban Renewal” and focused on representing landowners who own property subject to condemnation in rapidly changing neighborhoods.
February 1, 2024
Jeff Tibbals served on the faculty at the 41st Annual Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation 2024 CLE Conference, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, on Thursday, February 1, 2024. His presentation, given with attorney Diane Feuerherd and MAI appraiser Andrew Lines was entitled “Opportunity Zone: Determining the Highest and Best Use in an Area of Urban Renewal” and focused on representing landowners who own property subject to condemnation in rapidly changing neighborhoods.
Dominion Energy Condemnation Case Among Boom in SC property Value Disputes
Charleston-area landowners are increasingly fighting back in property condemnation cases, often getting much more money than originally offered by the utilities and government agencies looking to take their land for public projects.
September 16, 2021
Charleston-area landowners are increasingly fighting back in property condemnation cases, often getting much more money than originally offered by the utilities and government agencies looking to take their land for public projects.
Utility to Pay $3.25M For Strip Of Land in Charleston
A landowner has reached a $3.25 million settlement with a public utility over the utility’s condemnation of a 1.33-
acre strip of land in Charleston, the landowner’s attorneys report.
Richard Bybee and Jeff Tibbals of Bybee & Tibbals in Mt. Pleasant report that their client, Xiphias Holdings, objected to the valuation of multiple parcels of land located where South Carolina Electric and Gas Company wished to construct a transmission line for the new Hugh Leatherman Terminal.
September 13, 2021
A landowner has reached a $3.25 million settlement with a public utility over the utility’s condemnation of a 1.33-
acre strip of land in Charleston, the landowner’s attorneys report.
Richard Bybee and Jeff Tibbals of Bybee & Tibbals in Mt. Pleasant report that their client, Xiphias Holdings, objected to the valuation of multiple parcels of land located where South Carolina Electric and Gas Company wished to construct a transmission line for the new Hugh Leatherman Terminal.
Developers Settle Eminent Domain Claim For $3.25M
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has paid $3.25 million to settle an eminent domain claim with property developers after it installed a median that limited access to an 80-acre tract in Berkeley County, the developers’ attorneys report. Richard Bybee and Jeffrey Tibbals of Bybee & Tibbals of Mount Pleasant report that the DOT filed the condemnation action in 2016 so it could build a new mile-long median on Clements Ferry Road, which fronts the property. The property’s owners had planned to develop the 80 acres into a retail anda housing development, Bybee said.”
March, 30 2021
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has paid $3.25 million to settle an eminent domain claim with property developers after it installed a median that limited access to an 80-acre tract in Berkeley County, the developers’ attorneys report. Richard Bybee and Jeffrey Tibbals of Bybee & Tibbals of Mount Pleasant report that the DOT filed the condemnation action in 2016 so it could build a new mile-long median on Clements Ferry Road, which fronts the property. The property’s owners had planned to develop the 80 acres into a retail anda housing development, Bybee said.”
Case Over Future of Eroding Folly Beach Land Heads to Appeal
Jeff Tibbals of Bybee & Tibbals secured the dismissal of a Complaint brought by the City of Folly Beach and other special interest groups, against his clients, oceanfront Folly Beach lot owners, alleging that some of their property was owned in public trust, as though the property was subject to condemnation. Although Tibbals achieved victory for his clients in Court, the parties ultimately agreed upon a settlement which set aside a portion of the disputed property for Folly Beach Nature Conservancy, in a resolution driven by the best interests of his clients, and “moral and public interest grounds.”
October 19, 2020
Jeff Tibbals of Bybee & Tibbals secured the dismissal of a Complaint brought by the City of Folly Beach and other special interest groups, against his clients, oceanfront Folly Beach lot owners, alleging that some of their property was owned in public trust, as though the property was subject to condemnation. Although Tibbals achieved victory for his clients in Court, the parties ultimately agreed upon a settlement which set aside a portion of the disputed property for Folly Beach Nature Conservancy, in a resolution driven by the best interests of his clients, and “moral and public interest grounds.”
Why Highways Were Designed to Run Through Black Communities | SC Faces Historic Dilemma Again
In the Sunday feature article of the Charleston Post & Courier, Jeff Tibbals of Bybee & Tibbals provided commentary relating to eminent domain law in South Carolina, and how its application has often led to displacement and division of historic and predominantly Black communities. “Money talks, and sometimes poor communities with less don’t have a voice,” Tibbals said.
October 18, 2020
In the Sunday feature article of the Charleston Post & Courier, Jeff Tibbals of Bybee & Tibbals provided commentary relating to eminent domain law in South Carolina, and how its application has often led to displacement and division of historic and predominantly Black communities. “Money talks, and sometimes poor communities with less don’t have a voice,” Tibbals said.
Summerville to Purchase Nearly 30 Acres Near Woodlands Mansion for $6.5 Million
Representing the Town of Summerville in separate condemnation and inverse condemnation actions relating to the Town’s extension of N. Maple Street, Bybee & Tibbals fosters a unique settlement resolution. After negotiations for payment of just compensation for the Town’s condemnation of a 3.61-acre portion of a larger parcel came to a standstill, the Town reached an agreement with the landowner to purchase the entire 30.67 acres of property with plans for future use to potentially include green space and municipal facilities.
January 15, 2020
Representing the Town of Summerville in separate condemnation and inverse condemnation actions relating to the Town’s extension of N. Maple Street, Bybee & Tibbals fosters a unique settlement resolution. After negotiations for payment of just compensation for the Town’s condemnation of a 3.61-acre portion of a larger parcel came to a standstill, the Town reached an agreement with the landowner to purchase the entire 30.67 acres of property with plans for future use to potentially include green space and municipal facilities.
Colonial-Era Documents Help SC Landowner Claim Marsh Ownership
Jeff Tibbals recently prevailed at trial on behalf of a landowner seeking to confirm title to marsh surrounding a 3 acre island near Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The case was decided on the basis of a King’s Grant from 1774. Read the Charleston Post & Courier’s article reporting on the case.
January 15, 2020
Jeff Tibbals recently prevailed at trial on behalf of a landowner seeking to confirm title to marsh surrounding a 3 acre island near Kiawah Island, South Carolina. The case was decided on the basis of a King’s Grant from 1774. Read the Charleston Post & Courier’s article reporting on the case.
Charleston-Area Memos and Distinctions
Jeff Tibbals, a real estate and eminent domain attorney at Mount Pleasant-based law firm Bybee & Tibbals LLC,
has been appointed chair of the pro bono board of the South Carolina Bar.
December 10, 2018
Jeff Tibbals, a real estate and eminent domain attorney at Mount Pleasant-based law firm Bybee & Tibbals LLC,
has been appointed chair of the pro bono board of the South Carolina Bar.
Jeff Tibbals (Past Recipient of 40 Under 40, Class of 2009)
“Tibbals to Lead Pro Bono for SC Bar” Jeff Tibbals has been appointed as Chair of the Pro Bono Board
of the South Carolina Bar.
October 30, 2018
“Tibbals to Lead Pro Bono for SC Bar” Jeff Tibbals has been appointed as Chair of the Pro Bono Board
of the South Carolina Bar.
Hilton Head National’s Proposed Luxury RV Park
The owners of a divisive Bluffton golf course have released more details about their plans for a luxury RV park
even as their lawsuit against Beaufort County and its zoning regulations continues.
April 30, 2018
The owners of a divisive Bluffton golf course have released more details about their plans for a luxury RV park
even as their lawsuit against Beaufort County and its zoning regulations continues.
Charleston County Bar
Bybee & Tibbals, LLC announces that Evan P. Williams has joined the firm.
February 10, 2018
Bybee & Tibbals, LLC announces that Evan P. Williams has joined the firm.