Pictured: PLF’s Steve Davis, getting us started. We’re underway today with the academic symposium “Euclid Turns 100: Rethinking an Antiquated Case and Reimagining Euclidean Zoning for the Century Ahead” at the George Mason Law School. Cosponsored by the law school’s Journal of Law, Economics, and Policy, Mercatus Center, and our outfit Pacific Legal Foundation, the symposium is designed to focus the discussion of housing, zoning, and property rights (hot topics in the headlines), and ask the question: has Euclidean zoning outlived its usefulness? And if so, what, if anything, should replace it?
Continue Reading Today: “Euclid Turns 100: Rethinking an Antiquated Case and Reimagining Euclidean Zoning for the Century Ahead”
2026 Future of Property Law Conference, University of Hawaii Law School, Feb 13, 2026 (Live & Webcast)
Need an excuse to be in Honolulu mid-winter?
If you are still looking for a reason to head to the 808 next month, here it is. The 2026 Future of Property Law Conference, February 13, 2026 at the University of Hawaii School of Law.
Chaired by Professor David Callies, the agenda features dirt law
We’re Underway At The 43d American Law Institute Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Conference, Savannah
The view from the podium
That’s right. More than 300 of the nation’s best eminent domain lawyers, judges, appraisers, right-of-way agents, scholars, and other industry professionals are in Savannah for the next two and a half days for what is now known as the American Law Institute (“ALI” alone, no longer with the “-CLE” addition)
NY Court Of Appeals Tees Up A Certworthy Exactions Case
Here’s the latest in a case we’ve been following closely. (We won’t be commenting much, because it is one of ours.)
In The Coalition for Fairness in Soho and Noho, Inc. v. City of New York, No. 112 (Jan. 13, 2026), the New York Court of Appeals (dun-dun) held that
New York City
Fla SCT Declines Review: En Banc Court Of Appeal Decision That Downzoning Was A Lucas Taking (And Sale Of Property For Third-Party TDRs Is Not A “Use”), Stands
Here’s the latest in a case we’ve been following (because it is a product of our shop: we represent the property owners/plaintiffs).
In this Order, the Florida Supreme Court declined to exercise jurisdiction to review the Third District Court of Appeals en banc opinion in Shands v. City of Marathon. So that decision
CA6: RLUIPA Claim Subject To Williamson County Final Decision Ripeness Because It’s A “Land Use” Issue
In Grand v. City of University Heights, No. 24-3876 (Nov. 13, 2026), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held that a complaint alleging a RLUIPA claim and others was not ripe because they are “land use” claims subject to Williamson County‘s final decision requirement.
A neighbor was “displeased” that Grand
You Don’t Look A Day Over 98, Euclid
Tomorrow, November 22, 2025 is the 99th anniversary of the day in 1926 when the United States Supreme Court issued its landmark opinion in Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co., 272 U.S. 365 (Nov. 22, 1926).
You know this one (and can you call yourself a dirt lawyer if you don’t?).
Savannah Bound: Don’t Miss The 43rd ALI-CLE Eminent Domain & Land Valuation Litigation Conference (Jan. 22-24, 2026)
As we wrap up another year, it’s time to look ahead to the one event that always gets our eminent domain blood pumping: the annual ALI-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation Conference. Details, including faculty list, a complete agenda, and registration information is posted here.
Now in its 43rd year, this flagship gathering
CA9: No Evidence That Exaction Was Proportional
This is going to be a short post, mostly because the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit’s opinion in KOGAP Ent., Inc. v. City of Medford, No 24-5268 (Nov. 13, 2025) is itself short.
Before we go further, this disclosure: this is one of ours, and our Pacific Legal Foundation colleague Brian
Restriction In Gov’t-Granted Deed Limiting Uses To “Church purposes” Can’t Be Enforced
Here’s a case that isn’t about takings and our usual fare, but is nonetheless an example of how dirt law can be fascinating.
In Hilo Bay Marina, LLC v. State of Hawaii, No. SCAP-23-0000310 (Sep. 12, 2025), the Hawaii Supreme Court held that a restriction in a land patent issued by the State of Hawaii’s predecessor-in-interest (the Territory of Hawaii) in 1922, that limited the uses of the land to “Church purposes only” cannot be enforced under the state constitution’s establishment clause.
Continue Reading Restriction In Gov’t-Granted Deed Limiting Uses To “Church purposes” Can’t Be Enforced