January 2022

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As usual, Michael Berger and Jim Burling kept the room filled on a Saturday morning, and informed and entertained.

After their presentations, and the National Forum at which practitioners from around the country briefed us all about the issues in their respective jurisdictions, we wrapped up the 39th ALI-CLE Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Litigation

Screenshot 2022-01-24 at 11-03-28 “Equitable Compensation” as “Just Compensation” for Takings

An article, from the just-published issue of the Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Journal, about a rarely-covered academic topic, just compensation.

Brian A. Lee (Brooklyn), “Equitable Compensation” as “Just Compensation” for Takings, 10 Brigham-Kanner Prop. Rts. J. 315 (2021).

Here’s the Abstract:

The Fifth Amendment’s requirement that the government pay “just compensation” to owners of

A quick one from the Federal Circuit, in a rails-to-trails takings case.

The holding of the court in Anderson v. United States, No. 21-1445 (Jan. 20, 2022) (when a deed says it conveys “land,” under [Texas law, that is a grant of fee simple), isn’t all that groundbreaking. But the opinion contains a concise

If you ever get the opportunity to teach in a law school — either as a full-time legal scholar, or part-time as an expert adjunct practitioner — take it if you can. You might think you know a lot about a particular subject, but there’s nothing like spending time at the lectern in a law

Screenshot 2022-01-16 at 10-15-33 Alexander Hamilton letter at center of legal fight returned
we tried to come up with a “Hamilton” reference
but
have not seen the show

The Crane family has, for decades, had in their possession — if not their outright ownership — the “Hamilton Letter,” which Alex wrote to no less than the Marquis de Lafayette 1780.

Ownership, however, seems to be disputed

A developer alleged that the city didn’t live up to its contractual obligations.

The city thought it would be a good place for a new headquarters for something called “Perfect Game Incorporated.” The usual plans ensued, including agreements between the city, a non-profit redevelopment facilitator, and Preston Hollow, a “finance company that funds economic development

It’s already settled in Michigan (Rafaeli) that a homeowner has a property interest in the equity in her home, and that if she fails to pay the full amount of her property taxes and the government forecloses, the government can’t keep the proceeds in excess of the amount of the tax delinquency.

But

A short trial court decision. But because it deals with an interesting question, we’re posting it.

Check it out: in this order, the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota denied the city’s motion to dismiss in a case alleging, inter alia, a Fifth Amendment taking.

The property owners’ complaint alleged that

Minebook

We’ve talked about the “playground constitution” before (and written about it). You know this stuff:

The third constitution is what has been labeled the “popular constitution” that exists, unwritten, in the broader culture. I call this the “playground constitution,” embodying rules that a broad swath of the populace believes are part of