Holiday Suggestions For The Dirt Lawyer On Your List (2020 Edition)

Charlie Brown got a bag of rocks for Halloween.

But you aren't so cruel, and want to give better gifts this holiday season to the dirt lawyer in your life, no? Here are our 2020 suggestions for stocking stuffers that will make property mavens celebrate the season. 

Start with this one, Professor Bart Wilson's newly-published "The Property Species - Mine, Yours, and Human Mind." As describe in the book blurb: "Arguing that neither the sciences nor the humanities synthesizes a full account of property, the book offers a cross-disciplinary compromise that is sure to be controversial: Property is a universal and uniquely human custom. Integrating cognitive linguistics with philosophy of property and a fresh look at property disputes in the common law, the book makes the case that symbolic-thinking humans locate the meaning of property within a thing."

We are so confident that the book is sure to please any true bundler of sticks that we made it the subject of our Spring 2021 Directed Reading at the William and Mary Law School. Bonus: if you would like to join us for the Directed Reading, because we're on Zoom we're opening it to all. Read the book, and then join our discussion - the list of participants is growing.

* * * *

Next, one that every condemnation lawyer should love: wines from Oregon's Eminent Domaine vintner. 

From their web site: "The name, Eminent Domaine, is a reflection of our experience with the legal term, eminent domain, our dedication to the Oregon wine industry and our love of the wines produced in our region. In 2002 the City of Portland cited eminent domain as reason for claiming an office building we owned downtown. We began negotiations, as we agreed with the intent of the law, which states that the property would be used for the public good in exchange for a price based on fair market value. However, when both qualifiers came into question, a lengthy legal process ensued. Despite having a more favorable outcome from arbitration, the compensation was low and the property was used for undisclosed purposes. Having been brought up on a small farm in Hillsboro Oregon, Jeff Meader always wanted to go back to the land. Already entrenched in Oregon’s wine industry and looking to the future, it was a natural progression to re-invest in a small piece of land in the coveted Ribbon Ridge AVA. In 2009, we set about planting the 7-acre parcel with selected Pinot Noir clones and harvested our first estate fruit in 2011."

Hurry down the chimney, Santa. 

* * * *

Next up, another book. This time a classic: Andrew Alpern & Seymour Durst, "Holdouts! The Buildings That Got In The Way" (1984).

The title pretty much gives it away, but here's the description: "A strip of land 5 inches wide and 78 feet deep owned by a taxi driver whose asking price killed a developer's plans for a huge apartment house. An empty 9- by 20-foot site in the middle of a Wall Street office building created by the site's former use as an outhouse at the end of the eighteenth century. A two-story building surrounded by a tall apartment house on Upper Broadway that owes its continued existence to the timing of Prohibition. These snapshots are of holdouts that got in the way."

For the property lawyer or any lover of New York City history. We were gifted this book recently by a friend and colleague, and we can highly recommend it. Maybe one of these days we'll do a review.

* * * *

More books. A reissue of another classic, Professor Bernard Siegan's "Land Use Without Zoning" (2020 ed.)

What property lawyer or land user wouldn't be happy to find this on her table on a cold December morning? "In his pioneering 1972 study, Land Use Without Zoning, Bernard Siegan first set out what has today emerged as a commonsense perspective: Zoning not only fails to achieve its stated ends of ordering urban growth and separating incompatible uses, it also drives housing costs up and competition down. . . .Siegan demonstrates how land use will naturally regulate itself in a nonzoned environment."

Cheaper than a flight to Houston.

* * * *

Not another book. For a mere twenty-five simoleons (plus shipping, unless your total order exceeds $50), you can give a present that every property lawyer will "get," pick up sticks. (I see what you did there.)

In case you can't quite figure it out: "Relive a childhood favorite with this fresh take on the classic pick-up-sticks game - it makes the perfect accessory for your coffee table." Designed in Sweden. "Includes 41 wood sticks | Wood, paper | Imported."

Comes bundled.

* * * *

A film buff on your list? Already gave 'em The Castle, Little Pink House, and Battle For Brooklyn?

Well fear not, we have "Eminent Domain" (1990)

It does not quite sound like a property-related movie ("The film is based on the true story of a senior member of the Polish Politburo (played by Donald Sutherland) and his wife (played by Anne Archer) who are both abruptly banished from the party. While they struggle to figure out why, having unusual encounters with people they do not know in the process, things start to take a darker turn when the wife is sent to a mental asylum and their 15-year-old daughter is kidnapped.").

But hey, the title wouldn't lie, would it?

Available on VHS here. 

 

* * * *

Finally, a board game, "Eminent Domain." 

Promising title, but frankly, we can't quite tell you what this involves: "Eminent Domain is a civilization-building game in which your civilization's abilities are based on a deck of Role cards. At the beginning of the game each player has the same deck of cards, with just two cards for each Role in it. Every turn you must choose a Role to execute (and like Glory to Rome or Puerto Rico, your opponents will get a chance to follow suit), and in doing so you will add one of those Role cards to your deck. When executing a Role, you can boost its effect by playing cards out of your hand matching the Role you have chosen. For example, the more you Research, the better you get at Researching (because you'll have more Research cards in your deck)."

"Civilization building?" Sounds like this should be called "Redevelopment" instead.

If it were truly "Eminent Domain," one side could make up all the rules ("I win 99% of the time."), and the referee would agree ("Under rational basis review, you win.").

Happy holidays, everyone.

Charlie Brown got a bag of rocks for Halloween.

But you aren't so cruel, and want to give better gifts this holiday season to the dirt lawyer in your life, no? Here are our 2020 suggestions for stocking stuffers that will make property mavens celebrate the season. 

Start with this one, Professor Bart Wilson's newly-published "The Property Species - Mine, Yours, and Human Mind." As describe in the book blurb: "Arguing that neither the sciences nor the humanities synthesizes a full account of property, the book offers a cross-disciplinary compromise that is sure to be controversial: Property is a universal and uniquely human custom. Integrating cognitive linguistics with philosophy of property and a fresh look at property disputes in the common law, the book makes the case that symbolic-thinking humans locate the meaning of property within a thing."

We are so confident that the book is sure to please any true bundler of sticks that we made it the subject of our Spring 2021 Directed Reading at the William and Mary Law School. Bonus: if you would like to join us for the Directed Reading, because we're on Zoom we're opening it to all. Read the book, and then join our discussion - the list of participants is growing.

* * * *

Next, one that every condemnation lawyer should love: wines from Oregon's Eminent Domaine vintner. 

From their web site: "The name, Eminent Domaine, is a reflection of our experience with the legal term, eminent domain, our dedication to the Oregon wine industry and our love of the wines produced in our region. In 2002 the City of Portland cited eminent domain as reason for claiming an office building we owned downtown. We began negotiations, as we agreed with the intent of the law, which states that the property would be used for the public good in exchange for a price based on fair market value. However, when both qualifiers came into question, a lengthy legal process ensued. Despite having a more favorable outcome from arbitration, the compensation was low and the property was used for undisclosed purposes. Having been brought up on a small farm in Hillsboro Oregon, Jeff Meader always wanted to go back to the land. Already entrenched in Oregon’s wine industry and looking to the future, it was a natural progression to re-invest in a small piece of land in the coveted Ribbon Ridge AVA. In 2009, we set about planting the 7-acre parcel with selected Pinot Noir clones and harvested our first estate fruit in 2011."

Hurry down the chimney, Santa. 

* * * *

Next up, another book. This time a classic: Andrew Alpern & Seymour Durst, "Holdouts! The Buildings That Got In The Way" (1984).

The title pretty much gives it away, but here's the description: "A strip of land 5 inches wide and 78 feet deep owned by a taxi driver whose asking price killed a developer's plans for a huge apartment house. An empty 9- by 20-foot site in the middle of a Wall Street office building created by the site's former use as an outhouse at the end of the eighteenth century. A two-story building surrounded by a tall apartment house on Upper Broadway that owes its continued existence to the timing of Prohibition. These snapshots are of holdouts that got in the way."

For the property lawyer or any lover of New York City history. We were gifted this book recently by a friend and colleague, and we can highly recommend it. Maybe one of these days we'll do a review.

* * * *

More books. A reissue of another classic, Professor Bernard Siegan's "Land Use Without Zoning" (2020 ed.)

What property lawyer or land user wouldn't be happy to find this on her table on a cold December morning? "In his pioneering 1972 study, Land Use Without Zoning, Bernard Siegan first set out what has today emerged as a commonsense perspective: Zoning not only fails to achieve its stated ends of ordering urban growth and separating incompatible uses, it also drives housing costs up and competition down. . . .Siegan demonstrates how land use will naturally regulate itself in a nonzoned environment."

Cheaper than a flight to Houston.

* * * *

Not another book. For a mere twenty-five simoleons (plus shipping, unless your total order exceeds $50), you can give a present that every property lawyer will "get," pick up sticks. (I see what you did there.)

In case you can't quite figure it out: "Relive a childhood favorite with this fresh take on the classic pick-up-sticks game - it makes the perfect accessory for your coffee table." Designed in Sweden. "Includes 41 wood sticks | Wood, paper | Imported."

Comes bundled.

* * * *

* * * *

It does not quite sound like a property-related movie ("The film is based on the true story of a senior member of the Polish Politburo (played by Donald Sutherland) and his wife (played by Anne Archer) who are both abruptly banished from the party. While they struggle to figure out why, having unusual encounters with people they do not know in the process, things start to take a darker turn when the wife is sent to a mental asylum and their 15-year-old daughter is kidnapped.").

But hey, the title wouldn't lie, would it?

Available on VHS here. 

 

* * * *

Finally, a board game, "Eminent Domain." 

Promising title, but frankly, we can't quite tell you what this involves: "Eminent Domain is a civilization-building game in which your civilization's abilities are based on a deck of Role cards. At the beginning of the game each player has the same deck of cards, with just two cards for each Role in it. Every turn you must choose a Role to execute (and like Glory to Rome or Puerto Rico, your opponents will get a chance to follow suit), and in doing so you will add one of those Role cards to your deck. When executing a Role, you can boost its effect by playing cards out of your hand matching the Role you have chosen. For example, the more you Research, the better you get at Researching (because you'll have more Research cards in your deck)."

"Civilization building?" Sounds like this should be called "Redevelopment" instead.

If it were truly "Eminent Domain," one side could make up all the rules ("I win 99% of the time."), and the referee would agree ("Under rational basis review, you win.").

Happy holidays, everyone.

 

* * * *