Joe A. Conner has significant experience in a wide range of commercial litigation, with a focus on representing private utilities and businesses in eminent domain actions. Mr. Conner currently serves as lead counsel representing the state court appointed Receiver of the Jefferson County, Alabama wastewater system. He regularly represents clients in dealing with governmental entities on such topics as zoning, property development and regulatory affairs. His eminent domain practice is national in scope and he has an established network of experts in various fields to assist in creating a comprehensive and proactive approach to complex business valuation cases for optimal results.
- Currently representing the state court appointed Receiver of the Jefferson County, Alabama wastewater system, the largest municipal wastewater utility in Alabama with 144,000 customers.
- Represented Tower Investments in an eminent domain action filed by Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency in Nashville, Tennessee to acquire 5.1 acres of property owned by Tower Investments for the construction of a new convention center. Result: jury awarded client $30.4 million ($15.6 million more than the government offered).
- Represented the Chattanooga Electric Power Board (EPB) in two actions instituted by a national cable company and the state cable trade association to block EPB's entry into the internet and cable television business. Result: Both cases summarily dismissed and affirmed on appeal.
- Represented Pennichuck Water Works in a condemnation action filed by the City of Nashua, New Hampshire. Result: New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission valued the 25,000 customer water system at $203 million (approximately $8000 per customer) and awarded an additional $40 million in severance damages. In March 2010, the New Hampshire Supreme Court affirmed the entire valuation award.
- Represented California American Water in a condemnation action filed by the San Lorenzo Valley Water District. Result: California American Water's Felton water system fair market value set at $13.4 million (approximately $10,300 per customer).
- Represented Illinois American Water (IAW) in a takeover action instituted by City of Peoria, Illinois, under a franchise buyout option. The City placed the value at $95 million. The issue of fair market value was arbitrated before a panel of three appraisers in January 2005. Result: Company valued at $220 million; City then ended its efforts to buy the IAW assets in Peoria District after voters rejected the takeover by a margin of 82-18 percent.
- Represented Illinois American Water (IAW) in a takeover action instituted by the City of Peoria, Illinois, under a franchise buyout option. The City placed the value at $95 million. The issue of fair market value was arbitrated before a panel of three appraisers in January 2005. Result: Company valued at $220 million; City then ended its efforts to buy the IAW assets in Peoria District after voters rejected the takeover by a margin of 82 to18 percent.
- Speaker – Global Water Institute Conference (2011)
- Speaker – Ojai Valley News Interview (2011)
- Speaker – California Water Association Spring Meeting (2010)
- Speaker – NAWC Annual Meeting (October 2009)
- Speaker – NAWC Water Utility Executive Council Spring Meeting (2009)
- Speaker – California Water Association Fall Meeting (2008)
- Speaker – New England Conference of Public Utility Commissioners (June 2006)
- Speaker – National Association of Water Companies Spring Meeting (April 2006)
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2005 in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law and Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, and Energy Law
- Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2006
- Named one of Lawdragon's 500 Leading Lawyers in America, 2011
- Member – American and Tennessee Bar Associations
- Member – National Association of Water Companies
- Board Member – Tennessee Automotive Manufacturers Association (TAMA), 2010 – 2012
- Member – Hamilton County Board of Education, 1996 – 2008
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville, J.D., 1986
- University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, B.A., 1983, cum laude