Utility Easements & Rights of Way 2026

Legal know-how beneath the surface of utility easements 

From power lines and pipelines to sewer systems, utility easements shape how land can be used, developed, and valued across Wisconsin. Explore the life cycle of utility easements from creation and valuation to interpretation and enforcement, and the principles Wisconsin courts apply in these situations. 

You’ll cover: 

• How utility easements are created in Wisconsin, including negotiated grants, prescription, or condemnation 
• Interpreting existing easements, including the implied rights and limits recognized by Wisconsin courts 
• Applying the before-and-after rule to calculate just compensation for utility takings  
• Methods for valuing easements outside the condemnation process  
• Determining an easement’s scope through its express terms 
• Advising utility and landowner clients on drafting, valuation, and dispute resolution 

Utility Easements and Rights of Way will give you the information you need to protect your client’s interests at every stage of an easement.