Condemnation / Eminent Domain
Jennifer advises and represents clients in connection with condemnation (aka eminent domain) actions involving government acquisitions of private property for public purposes, such as parks, roads, and power lines. She has ably guided large land developers and private property owners in accurately assessing and realizing the fair market value of their property. Jennifer also assists condemning entities acquire property rights in a fair, timely, and cost-effective manner.
Given her experience on both sides of this nuanced area of law, Jennifer also provides alternative dispute resolution services to parties involved in eminent domain and other valuation-related disputes.
Insurance
In her insurance practice, Jennifer works diligently with clients to analyze whether their insurance policies provide coverage for a given event or loss. She also evaluates whether the insurance company has complied with the law or acted in bad faith. Jennifer offers these services to clients both on the insurance company side and for individuals and businesses seeking coverage. Moreover, Jennifer consults with individuals and businesses to determine whether their current insurance policies provide adequate protection.
Public Utility
Jennifer’s regulatory practice involves the “fourth branch” of the Arizona government – the Arizona Corporation Commission. She assists public utilities (such as power companies and telecommunications providers) in maintaining compliance with Commission rules, as well as in obtaining the approvals and waivers necessary for their business operations. In addition, she represents utilities in rate cases in which her clients seek to increase or decrease the rates they are allowed to charge their Arizona customers. Adding additional value to her utility clients, Jennifer participates in Commission rulemaking and policymaking proceedings to advocate for sensible, streamlined policies and procedures.
Leadership
Jennifer joined Gallagher & Kennedy’s board of directors in 2018 as its first female member. Additionally, she serves in leadership positions for and is active in both professional associations and community/charitable organizations. She has been honored by a variety of publications and professional associations for her subject matter expertise. A prolific writer, Jennifer’s articles have been included in major local, regional, and national publications. A dedicated educator, Jennifer has been invited to speak before legal and industry organizations on the topics of litigation, appraisal, and insurance. Furthermore, Jennifer is the co-host and organizer of the semi-annual Condemnation Summit in Arizona.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Representing landowners as well as government entities and public utilities in more than 60 condemnation disputes where the primary issues involved (1) the right of the government to acquire land for public projects and/or (2) the just compensation owed to the property owner for the taking.
- Providing condemnation advice, representation, and oversight for client’s nationwide retail property holdings.
- Defending a putative class action lawsuit alleging breach of subdivision restrictive covenants.
- Prosecuting a quiet title claim based on historic use of property adverse to the underlying landowner.
- Representing insurance companies and individual insureds regarding insurance bad faith and coverage issues in connection with more than 100 insurance claims.
- Analyzing business insurance policies to determine adequacy of coverage for key areas of risk.
- Representing public utilities before the Arizona Corporation Commission in connection with more than 100 regulatory matters, including mergers, financings, rate authorizations, rate adjustor mechanisms, certification approvals and relinquishments, rule amendments, policy proceedings, and waiver applications.
- Prosecuting and defending civil cases on appeal before the Arizona Court of Appeals and Arizona Supreme Court.
ASSOCIATIONS & MEMBERSHIPS
- State Bar of Arizona, Member
- State Bar of Arizona, Administrative Law and Regulatory Practice Section, Member
- State Bar of Arizona, Property Law Section, Member
- Arizona Commercial Real Estate Women (AZCREW), Member; 2020 Past President/Legacy Chair; Past Sponsorship Committee Co-Chair; Past Board Secretary & Governance
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Member and Past President
- Maricopa County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Past President
HONORS & AWARDS
- AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell
- Best Lawyers in America®, Energy, Insurance, and Utility Law, 2021-2025; Energy Regulatory Law, 2022-2025; Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, 2023-2025
- Arizona Business Magazine, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, 2024
- AzBusiness Leaders, Management, 2020; Real Estate, 2021-2024
- AZRE Magazine, AZ Big 100: Women Leaders, 2023
- Phoenix Magazine, Top Lawyer, 2022
- The Phoenix Business Journal, Outstanding Woman in Business, 2019
- ALM Media Legal Leaders, Top Rated Litigator, 2019
- ALM Media Legal Leaders, Woman Leader in The Law, 2019
- Arizona Business Magazine, Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona, 2017-2021
- Arizona Business Magazine, Most Influential Women in Arizona Commercial Real Estate, 2018
- Az Big Media, People & Projects to Know (PTK) in Commercial Real Estate, 2017, 2022
- Southwest Super Lawyers® - Rising Stars Edition, Eminent Domain, 2012-2015
- Maricopa County Bar Association Robert R. Mills Member of the Year, 2013
- "Forty Under 40," The Business Journal, 2010
COMMUNITY & PHILANTHROPY
- Valley of the Sun United Way Women’s Leadership Council, Past Chair
- Valley of the Sun United Way Public Policy and Advocacy Committee, Member
- Maricopa County Justice Museum & Learning Center Foundation, Vice-President
- Gallagher & Kennedy’s Professional Women’s Group, Past Chair
- American Heart Association, Phoenix Metro Division, Past Director
News
- Five G&K Attorneys Named 2025 AzBusiness Leaders - December 12, 2024
- Best Lawyers in America® 2025 Recognizes 51 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 15, 2024
- G&K's Professional Women’s Group Hosts "Pi Day" Bake Sale & Silent Auction in Support of Shoebox Ministry - March 15, 2024
- Three G&K Shareholders Named Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona For 2024 - January 2, 2024
- Seven G&K Attorneys Named 2024 AzBusiness Leaders - December 28, 2023
- Gallagher & Kennedy Law Firm Scoops up Former Jennings Attorneys - September 1, 2023
- Best Lawyers in America® 2024 Recognizes 52 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 21, 2023
- Calling All Arizona Student Artists! Submit Your Entry to the Annual Maricopa County Justice Museum & Learning Center Art Contest by July 15th - June 20, 2023
- Jennifer Cranston Named to AZRE'S 2023 "AZ Big 100: Women Leaders" - January 18, 2023
- Five G&K Attorneys Named 2023 AzBusiness Leaders - January 1, 2023
- Law of Attraction: The Legal Industry Is Facing Its Stiffest Competition Yet When It Comes to The War for Talent - November 16, 2022
- Phoenix Magazine Names 7 G&K Attorneys to Inaugural Top Lawyers Issue - September 1, 2022
- Best Lawyers in America® 2023 Recognizes 41 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 18, 2022
- Best Lawyers in America® 2022 Recognizes 37 Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys - August 19, 2021
- Trendsetters: Arizona Ranks No. 3 Among Best States for Lawyers - March 15, 2021
Publications
- It’s an Election Year for the Arizona Corporation Commission: Here’s Why Arizona Business Owners and Residents Should Care - September 3, 2024
- Arizona Supreme Court Rules on Broad Discretion in Utility Rates - October 1, 2016
- Arizona Civil Subpoenas 101 - February 1, 2016
- Lowering the Cost of Litigation - October 1, 2015
- 10 Potential Pitfalls for Claims Handling in Arizona - August 3, 2015
- Five Surprises for Insurance Companies in Arizona - June 1, 2015
- Real Estate Newsletter: Eminent Domain - March 10, 2015
- The Fourth Branch of the Arizona Government - February 1, 2015
- Legal Controversies Raised by New Rideshare Trends - November 1, 2014
- When Loss of Access to a Public Street Is Compensable: An Arizona Case Study - September 4, 2014
- Real Estate Newsletter: Mediating the Condemnation Case - August 13, 2014
- Lesson Learned From Recent Underinsured Motorist Case - August 1, 2014
- General Liability Insurance: Is 'Enough' Really Enough? - June 1, 2014
- AZ Supreme Court Clarifies Damages for Loss of Access - June 1, 2014
- Real Estate Newsletter: Eminent Domain - Arizona Supreme Court Clarifies Damages for Loss of Access - April 25, 2014
Events
Jennifer has presented to a variety of law-related and industry organizations on topics including litigation, appraisal, and insurance matters. Appearances include presentations at the Maricopa County Bar Association, Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Arizona, and the Phoenix Chapter of the Appraisal Institute. Jennifer is also the co-host and organizer of the semi-annual Condemnation Summit in Arizona.
- Condemnation Summit XXXII - August 14, 2024
- Condemnation Summit XXXI - February 5, 2024
- The Laws That Time (and Some Condemnation Practitioners) Forgot, Condemnation Summit XXX - October 27, 2023
- Condemnation Summit XXX - October 27, 2023
- Condemnation Summit XXIX - May 12, 2023
- Jennifer Cranston Joins Attorney Panel for "Board Service 101" at ASU Law School - March 28, 2023
- Gallagher & Kennedy Attorneys Attended the 2022 Justice Museum Founders' Breakfast - December 6, 2022
- Plenary Discussion of Evidentiary Motions in Eminent Domain Case, Condemnation Summit XXVIII - October 7, 2022
- Condemnation Summit XXVII - May 20, 2022