A national law firm representing property owners in Rails-to-Trails cases, has filed a new lawsuit on behalf of additional landowners along the Lakeshore Trail.
MUSKEGON, MI, UNITED STATES, August 6, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC (“SWS”), a national law firm representing property owners in Rails-to-Trails cases, has filed a new lawsuit, Ghezzi v. United States, Case No. 26-680L, in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims on behalf of additional landowners along the Lakeshore Trail in Muskegon.
The lawsuit seeks compensation from the United States government for property owners who may have lost valuable property rights when the former railroad corridor was converted into a public recreational trail. Under the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, when the government takes private property for public use, it must pay just compensation.
This is the third lawsuit Stewart, Wald & Smith has brought involving the Lakeshore Trail corridor. Earlier this year, the firm recovered $755,902 on behalf of 25 landowners in 1950 Lakeshore Drive, LLC, et. al. v. United States, Case No. 22-902L. The settlement compensated those property owners for the federal taking of their property interests resulting from the trail conversion.
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
Why Compensation May Be Owed
Many people assume railroads owned all of the land beneath their tracks. In many places, however, the railroad only had the right to use the land for railroad operations.
When railroad service ends, those rights sometimes end as well, and ownership of the land may return to the adjoining property owners. If the federal government instead preserves the corridor for a public trail, some adjoining landowners may be entitled to compensation for the property interests affected.
Whether a property qualifies depends on its individual history and ownership records.
Property owners who believe their land adjoins the Lakeshore Trail corridor may still be eligible to participate in the newly filed lawsuit. Those who have not yet signed up are encouraged to attend one of the informational meetings or contact Stewart, Wald & Smith promptly to discuss whether they may have a claim.
About Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC
Stewart, Wald & Smith, LLC is a national law firm devoted exclusively to Rails-to-Trails litigation. For more than twenty years, the firm has represented thousands of landowners throughout the United States and has recovered more than $415 million in compensation for property owners whose land has been affected by trail conversions.
For more information about the informational meetings or the newly filed lawsuit, visit www.swslegal.com or call (314) 720-0220.
Jacqueline Tebbe
Stewart Wald and Smith, LLC
+1 314-720-0220
email us here
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