Practice areas: Eminent Domain, Real Estate
Licensed in California since: 2000
Education: University of California Berkeley School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 Call today:
714-277-1700
Murphy & Evertz
650 Town Center DriveSuite 550
Costa Mesa, CA 92626 Visit website
A pillar of leadership within her legal community with nearly 25 years of experience, Jennifer W. Dienhart strives to maintain the strong reputation she has developed of being a stalwart advocate for her clients in their contentious legal matters. A partner at the law office of Murphy & Evertz in Costa Mesa, California, she serves residents throughout the surrounding region, as well as in Los Angeles and throughout Southern California in legal issues pertaining to real estate law, eminent domain and condemnation.
Ms. Dienhart completed her undergraduate studies in 1997, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and government from the University of California, San Diego. She went on to attend the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, where she was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award, making evident her academic and legal prowess throughout her time there. She received her Juris Doctor in 2000, and in the same year, she obtained her license to practice law in California.
A consummate professional through and through, Ms. Dienhart emphasizes meticulous focus and an unwavering work ethic in every case she takes on, while simultaneously ensuring all their legal queries are addressed. For her many contributions, she has been rated “Superb” on Avvo. Outside her law practice, she is a member of many prominent organizations, including the International Right of Way Association. She is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Central District of California and the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
Practice areas
Eminent Domain, Real Estate: Business- 90% Eminent Domain
- 10% Real Estate: Business
First Admitted: 2000, California
Professional Webpage: https://www.murphyevertz.com/attorney/dienhart-jennifer-wood...
Bar / Professional Activity
- California
- Women’s Transportation Seminar
- International Right of Way Association, Chapter 67, Former Board Member
- Orange County Federalist Society Lawyers’ Chapter, Former Executive Board member
- Orange County Bar Association, Mentoring Committee Co-Chair, 2010-2011
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- McDonald’s Corporation, et al. adv. City of Palmdale
- Bayport Imperial Promenade, et al. adv. Caltrans
- Universal Field Services, Inc. v. City of Lynwood
- Steiny & Company, Inc. adv. Caltrans
- Altmans, et al. adv. Caltrans
- Southern California Industrial Federation adv. Caltrans
- PSIP Magellan I, LLC adv. City of Riverside
- PPF Industrial Valley View LP adv. City of Santa Fe Springs
- Capricorn Realty, Inc., et al. adv. Caltrans
- Carsten Co., LLC adv. City of Corona
- 3187 Redhill LLC; M2 Freeway LLC; ICC LLC v. Caltrans
- Lakeview Orchard Association adv. Orange County Transportation Authority
- 7 Days Tire Center adv. City of Santa Ana
- Lakeview & Orangethorpe Business Center Owners adv. Orange County Transportation Authority
- Plaza West Covina LP, et al. adv. Caltrans
- B & H Education dba Marinello Schools of Beauty v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- Kapital Oil Corporation adv. Riverside County Transportation Commission
- Pearl Street Properties, LLC, et al. adv. Riverside County Transportation Commission
- Giant Inland Empire RV Center Inc., et al. adv. Riverside County Transportation Commission
- Nyenhuis Family Investments LLC v. County of San Bernardino et al.
- Steel Structures, Inc. adv. California Department of Public Works, et al.
- GDS Partners, LLC v. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
- G6 Hospitality Property LLC adv. City of Carpinteria
- 8650 Villa La Jolla, Inc. adv. SANDAG
- BPL, LLC adv. City of Corona
Educational Background
- University of California, San Diego, California, B.A. in Political Science with Provost's Honors List for 6 Quarters, 1997
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Speaker, “Is Eminent Domain Dead?: How and When Private Developers Can Still Use Eminent Domain Effectively,” CLE International Mixed Use Development Seminar, Los Angeles, CA (January 10-11, 2008).
- Co-Author, “Low-Profile Anderson Initiative Would Change Eminent Domain and Land-Use Planning Radically,” California Real Estate Journal, July 31, 2006.
- Speaker, “From Resolution of Necessity to Order of Possession,” CLE 10th Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA (May 10, 2008).
- Speaker, “Multi-Parcel Acquisition Programs: Three Ways Engineers, ROW Professionals and Attorneys Can Work together To Achieve A Smooth – and Faster – Acquisition,” IRWA Chapter 1, Los Angeles, CA (May 17, 2011).
- Speaker, “The Mechanics of Obtaining Prejudgment Possession,” IRWA Chapter 57 Seminar, Riverside, CA (November 2, 2012).
- Speaker, “Eminent Domain at the Supreme Court After Kelo,” IRWA Chapter 57, Riverside, CA (January 8, 2014).
- Speaker, “When We Need It Now: Multi-Parcel Acquisition Programs,” CLE Eminent Domain Conference, Los Angeles, CA (May 15, 2014).
- Speaker, “Through the Eyes of the Property Owner,” IRWA Chapter 57 Education Seminar; Riverside, CA (October 13, 2017).
- Speaker, “Eminent Domain 101: Basics of Eminent Domain for the General Practitioner,” California Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, San Diego, (September 15, 2018).
- Speaker, “Possession . . . And How To Obtain It,” IRWA Chapter 57 Education Seminar; Riverside, CA (October 11, 2018).
- Speaker, “Eminent Domain 101: What Every Real Estate Practitioner Needs to Know about Eminent Domain,” California Lawyers Association Real Property Law Section’s 38th Annual Spring Conference, Newport Beach, CA (May 5, 2019).
- Speaker, “Eminent Domain 101: An Introduction to the Law and Policy,” CLE Eminent Domain Webinar (February 11, 2021).
- Speaker, “Masters of Mediation, Practical Techniques That Work,” CLE Eminent Domain Conference; San Diego, CA (March 3, 2022).
- Speaker, “Unique Issues in Eminent Domain Matters With Hospitality Properties,” Southern California Chapter of the Appraisal Institute Litigation Seminar, Cerritos, CA (November 3, 2022).
- Co-Author, “Kelo v. City of New London: Action . . . Reaction . . . Overreaction?” Article included with the County Counsels’ Association of California Civil Law and Litigation’s Annual Conference materials, April 26, 2006.
- Co-Author, “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Deposits and Dates of Value in a Post-Kelo World,” Article included with the Los Angeles County Bar Association Eminent Domain Section Lunch materials, May 16, 2006.
- Co-Author, “Anderson Initiative Goes to Extraordinary Lengths to Limit Eminent Domain,” Daily Journal, July 25, 2006.
Honors
- American Jurisprudence Award, University of California, Berkeley
Industry Groups
- Commercial
- Hospitality
- Industrial
- Office
- Retail
Office location for Jennifer W. Dienhart
650 Town Center Drive
Suite 550
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: 714-277-1700
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026
