Thank you to the editors over at The Practical Real Estate Lawyer for publishing my missive on Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid, the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent blockbuster regulatory takings decision (and for letting me post a copy of the article here so it is available even if you are not a PREL subscriber).
42 U.S.C. § 1983 | Civil Rights
2022 ALI-CLE Eminent Domain And Land Valuation Litigation Conference, Scottsdale: You Should Have Been There!
After a two-year absence in which we went remote, in the last week of last month (our usual spot on the calendar, between the playoffs and Super Bowl), we once again met in-person for the American Law Institute-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation Conference.
Approximately 200 lawyers, judges, legal scholars, appraisers, law students…
CA9: We Reject Legislative/Administrative Distinction In Exactions, But City Requirement That Owners Pay Tenant To Move Back Into Their Home Isn’t A Taking
Before we go further into the Ninth Circuit’s opinion in Ballinger v. City of Oakland, No. 19-16-550 (Feb. 2, 2022), this disclosure: this is a case in which our law firm represents the property owners. So take that into account as you read our take on the case.
The Ballingers own a home …
When City Busts A Redevelopment Deal, It Might Face The Wheel (But Not For A Taking)
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…
Wed, Dec. 15, 1pm ET: “Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid: Supreme Court Weighs in on Definition of “Private Property” and Implications for the Future” ABA RPTE Webinar
This Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at 1pm ET (10am PT) our PLF colleague Chris Kieser will be presenting an American Bar Association webinar, produced by the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Section, “Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid: Supreme Court Weighs in on Definition of ‘Private Property’ and Implications for the Future.”
New Cert Petition: Rooker-Feldman Does Not Apply To Interlocutory State Court Orders
The latest in a case we’ve been following, and this one is a double nerd whammy. The cert petition in RLR Investments, LLC v. City of Pigeon Forge, No. 21-703 (Nov. 15, 2021), seeks review of a Sixth Circuit decision in a takings case where the issue on appeal is whether the Rooker-Feldman…
CA2: NYC’s Eviction Moratorium May Have A Contracts Clause Problem
There’s not a lot of direct takings love in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit’s opinion in Melendez v. City of New York, No. 20-4238 (Oct. 28, 2021), but there’s enough there that you might want to read it anyway.
Because the opinion resurrected the plaintiffs’ Contracts Clause claim. You heard…
Links And Materials From Today’s Land Use Institute Takings/Eminent Domain Session
LUI Co-Chair Prof. Frank Schnidman introducing the faculty
Here are the links to the cases and issues that we just finished speaking about at the 35th Annual Land Use Institute (more information on the LUI here). Today was day 1 of a multi-day remote program and the sessions are available ala carte, so there’s still…
New Article (Must-Read): Michael Berger, “Whither Regulatory Takings”
Here’s a new law journal article, just published, which we recommend everyone read.
Michael M. Berger, “Whither Regulatory Takings,” 51 Urban Lawyer 171 (2021). Available online here.
If you need encouragement to read it, here’s a sample:
The thrust of this article is severalfold. First, Holmes was right. His simple conclusion on…
Seeking Justice Through Just Compensation: 2021 Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference
Joe Waldo leading off the Conference with a remembrance of
Toby Prince Brigham, for the eminent property rights practitioner
for whom the Conference is named.
I was honored to speak today at the 2021 Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference, and here’s a rough transcript of my remarks.
Seeking Justice Through Just Compensation
Dean Spencer, Professor…



