The course will include a detailed review of the most important United States Supreme Court decisions (e.g., Penn Central, Nollan, Lucas, Dolan, Palazzolo,Tahoe and Lingle) which, in the context of so-called "regulatory takings” disputes, explore the circumstances in which government action may go "too far" and constitute a taking of private property without just compensation. The eminent domain process will also be discussed, including the United States Supreme Court's decision in Kelo v. City of New London.

In addition, a unique section of the course will utilize the land acquisition litigation arising from the planning and construction of the Bank One Ballpark/Chase Field project (Phoenix, Arizona) as a case study. Pleadings from the appellate proceedings will supplement course materials and will focus on the purposes for which private property may be condemned. The course instructor was one of the trial and appellate attorney for the Maricopa County Stadium District.

The course will also examine the nature and history of title insurance and the role of title insurance in protecting private property rights. Unlike other courses which focus solely on a limited area of substantive law or, alternatively, on procedural or evidentiary considerations, this innovative course explores all aspects of "takings" law from philosophies underpinning (and contradicting with) takings jurisprudence to the evolution of the substantive law through the tactics and strategies often employed at trial and in land use planning decisions.

The format will be principally lecture, with lively group discussion anticipated. The course is recommended for future trial attorneys (government and private), for prospective real estate and land use lawyers, and for others with an academic interest in understanding the law and history behind the headlines.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 3
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Graduation Writing Requirement: No
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: No
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Final Exam Given: Yes
Final Exam Type: In-Class - Completely Secure
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.