Mediation and Consultation Services for Historic Road, Access, and Easement Issues
Over 30 Years of Road Law Experience
Since 1991, James A. Beckwith has increasingly focused upon access and road issues relating to public and private roadways in the Western United States, requiring historical research into access routes developed by pioneers; in-field exploration to confirm location and current status of roads as “public highways” under governing state laws; photo documentation of field findings; assembly of historical data for presentation to court or commission. He has been involved in selection and management of special teams of experts for monitoring NEPA protocols on environmental, archaeological and historic issues. He has served as special counsel on both administrative and courtroom litigation to confirm access on those highways for oil/gas and timber development. Locations have included performing troubleshooting on large developments in rural Western Colorado locations.
James is a specialist in the techniques in historic road research together with presentation of that data, in compliance with judicial rules of evidence, common law doctorates, and statutory rules. Such methods, are not found in academic professors. Reach out to discuss how James can help you with road, access, easement, vacate and abandonment law.
“I’ve handled many road cases over the years, but I’ve never seen such a thorough and extensive job of researching the history of a road as you did… Of course, all that preparation could have been for naught if the presentation at trial somehow fell flat, but it didn’t, it was superb.”
– Geoffrey Anderson, Partner at Sweetbaum, Sands and Anderson
“ I have worked with the top attorneys at the most noted law firms in the world. You are one of the best at your trade that I have experienced: knowledgeable, prepared, quick-minded and articulate. A joy and a pleasure to work with.”
– James Rollans; Retired Executive Vice President and Director; Fluor Corporation
“ I truly cannot thank you enough… I have gained professionally and personally from the opportunity to work with you and watch you work… We set out with a vision and mission based on your expertise and I do not think it could’ve been executed any better than it was this week.”
– Tari Williams, Garfield County Attorney
Areas of Expertise
Historic Roads
Research and presentation techniques of historic documents and settlement patterns giving rise to a public highway.
Road Access
R.S. 2477, Prescriptive public highways, dedication of private land for public highways and other common law doctrines related to the development of public highways.
Easements
Easements by Prescription, common law easements, Implied easements and ways of necessity.
Vacating Roads
Determination of validity of vacating procedures regarding historic roads, as compared to abandonment of same.
Road Abandonment
Sufficiency of evidence regarding abandonment of public highways.