Practice areas: Eminent Domain, Land Use & Zoning, Legislative & Governmental Affairs; view more
Licensed in Georgia since: 2011
Education: Georgia State University College of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2020 - 2024 Call today:
762-396-1997
Underwood Scoggins, LLC
202 Tribble Gap RdSuite 200
Cumming, GA 30040 Visit website
An attorney at Scoggins Law Group LLC in Cumming, Georgia, Joshua A. Scoggins offers strategic legal counsel to businesses and property owners. With a diverse practice that spans real estate, civil litigation and land use, he is recognized for delivering analytical, results-driven solutions to clients facing complex legal disputes.
Mr. Scoggins focuses his practice on eminent domain, condemnation, zoning and real estate litigation. Whether navigating intricate municipal regulations or defending property rights in high-stakes disputes, he combines a deep understanding of local statutes with a practical approach tailored to each client's specific objectives. His analytical advocacy was demonstrated when he successfully negotiated an $800,000 settlement with the Georgia Department of Transportation, securing four times the original offer for his client.
Admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 2011, Mr. Scoggins is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. His admissions allow him to effectively represent clients in both state and federal jurisdictions, offering continuity of counsel through all phases of property disputes and administrative hearings.
Mr. Scoggins earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of North Georgia in 2005. He went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the Georgia State University College of Law in 2009. His academic background in business and law laid the groundwork for a legal career defined by thorough research, precise analysis and strong courtroom advocacy.
An active member of the Georgia legal community, Mr. Scoggins maintains professional ties through his involvement with the State Bar of Georgia and the Forsyth County Bar Association. Through these networks, he stays apprised of evolving property laws and regulatory shifts, ensuring his clients receive modern and effective representation.
Practice areas
Eminent Domain, Land Use/Zoning, Legislative & Governmental Affairs, Environmental Litigation, Real Estate: Business- 40% Eminent Domain
- 20% Land Use/Zoning
- 20% Legislative & Governmental Affairs
- 10% Environmental Litigation
- 10% Real Estate: Business
First Admitted: 2011, Georgia
Bar / Professional Activity
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, 2011
- Georgia, 2011
- Georgia Bar Association, 2011 - 2015
- American Bar Association
- Forsyth County Bar Association, 2011 - 2015
- State Bar of Georgia
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- $180,000 settlement of condemnation case brought in connection with road widening. Through the effective use of competent appraisal experts, the final settlement my client received was almost 4 times higher than the appraised value relied on by GDOT to condemn the property. , 2023
- $550,000 settlement of a condemnation case filed by the City of Kennesaw for a by-pass. The City's appraised value for the property that was taken from my client totaled only $115,000. Over the next year I relentlessly and aggressively negotiated with the condemning authority until the City agreed to pay my $550,000; almost 5 times higher than the City's original appraised value., 2023
- $375,000 settlement of condemnation case brought in connection with road widening. Following several years of litigation with GDOT, we were able to successfully settle the matter through mediation for double the amount initially offered by GDOT., 2023
- $13,000,000+ settlement for property owner in condemnation case of property for a public park. Following almost 3 years of litigation, we reached a settlement with the government on the eve of trial that included a cash payout of $10,427,500 along with several million dollars in additional tax savings for the property owner. This amount represented a 3-fold increase over the government's offer when the property was condemned., 2023
- Successfully challenged new local government ordinance imposing impact fees on new developments within the City of Hoschton, Georgia. In addition to securing over $200,000 in impact fee refunds from the City, I successfully negotiated a significant reduction of the per-unit impact fee charged by the City, thereby saving my client millions of dollars in future costs. , 2023
- $855,000 settlement of condemnation case brought in connection with road widening., 2022
- $464,000 settlement of condemnation case brought in connection with road widening., 2022
- $156,000 settlement of condemnation case brought in connection with road widening., 2020
- $320,000 settlement of condemnation case brought in connection with road widening, which was negotiated on behalf of a homeowners association whose subdivision entrance was being severely damaged by the widening. Through our firm's use of highly qualified experts and relentless lobbying of DOT and local government officials, we obtained a final settlement amount that was four times higher than DOT's original offer. To protect our client's rights should the neighborhood's swimming pool and other amenities be damaged by the road widening, we also insisted that DOT remove a standard "waiver of future claims" provision and instead agree to allow our client recover money for any future damage done to the amenity area. , 2020
- $850,000+ settlement for property owner in condemnation case brought in connection with road widening. , 2019
- $254,000 settlement of condemnation case brought in connection with road widening., 2019
- $850,000 settlement in condemnation case brought in connection with road widening., 2015
- $255,000 settlement of condemnation case brought in connection with road widening., 2014
Representative Clients
- $13,000,000+ settlement for property owner in condemnation case of property for a public park. Following almost 3 years of litigation, we reached a settlement with the government on the eve of trial that included a cash payout of $10,427,500 along with several million dollars in additional tax savings for the property owner. This amount represented a 3-fold increase over the government's offer when the property was condemned., 2023
- Currently representing Forestar Group, Inc. in connection with several complex matters including obtaining zoning & land use entitlements for land throughout Georgia and negotiating with a natural gas provider that is seeking to install a large regional gas line through a developed subdivision owned by Forestar. , 2022
- Currently representing Walton Global Partners, LP in connection with its acquisition, development and sale of real estate throughout Georgia., 2020
- Currently representing home builder LGI Homes in connection with numerous residential real estate developments throughout Georgia., 2022
- Currently representing Kolter Homes and numerous subsidiaries in various legal matters arising from Kolter's development of a 2,600 unit mixed-use project in the City of Hoschton, Georgia, including bringing legal challenges against the local government's imposition of a new Impact Fee Ordinance, a building permit moratorium and the assessment by the City of illegal taxes in the form of excessive permitting and plan review fees. , 2022
- Currently representing Big Door Vineyards, LLC in a multi-faceted legal challenge against Cherokee County, Georgia for violations of certain vested property rights by the local government in connection with my client's operation of a farm winery. , 2022
- Hulsey Environmental, 2020
- DR Horton , 2020
- Reid & Reid Construction, 2022
- McKinley Homes, 2020
- Toll Brothers, 2022
- Lennar Corporation, 2020
- Meritage Homes, 2022
- Pulte Home Corporation, 2020
- SR Homes, 2019
- Beazer Homes, 2019
Transactions
- Successfully oversaw the closing of real estate transactions and litigation settlements exceeding $20,000,000 on behalf of various clients., 2020
- Successfully closed over $30,000,000 in real estate acquisition and development loan transactions for major developers and home builders. , 2019
Educational Background
- North Georgia College & State University B.B.A. - FinanceSumma Cum Laude, 2005
White Papers
- This CLE Whitepaper summarizes recent developments in Georgia case law pertaining to the types of cases requiring appeal by the Writ of Certiorari method as well as an overview of the necessary steps for properly seeking and obtaining a writ of certiorari from the Superior Court., A Procedural Flashback: Writ of Certiorari Appeal to Superior Court, Local Government And Land Use Attorneys, 2020
Honors
- Rising Stars Selection, Partner, Super Lawyers, 2023
- Rising Stars Selection, Partner, Super Lawyers, 2024
- Rising Stars Selection, Partner, Super Lawyers, 2022
- Rising Stars Selection, Partner, Super Lawyers, 2021
- Rising Stars, Partner, Super Lawyers, 2020
Industry Groups
- Businesses and Banks faced with Condemnation
- Commercial & Residential Real Estate Developers & Builders
- Protection of Land Owners
Office location for Joshua A. Scoggins
202 Tribble Gap Rd
Suite 200
Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: 762-396-1997
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2020 - 2024
