The Case: Edmund F. Leland, III, et al v. Commonwealth of Massachusetts
The Court: Dukes County Superior Court
The Original Pro Tanto Payment: $0
The Judgment: $3,000,000
In order to connect two public beaches, the Commonwealth took the Lelands’ beach on Chappaquiddick Island, Martha’s Vineyard. The Commonwealth’s position was that the Lelands did not own the beach, and that they were owed nothing.
The Lelands hired The McLaughlin Brothers to pursue their rights. This case involved sophisticated title, erosion and valuation issues. The McLaughlin Brothers were able to prove not only that the Leland family owned the beach, but also that the Commonwealth had to pay the Lelands, resulting in a $3,000,000 judgment.