Property Case Briefs

Property law is a core 1L subject that explores the rights, relationships, and rules governing ownership and use of land and personal property. The course covers original acquisition and possession, estates and future interests, landlord-tenant law, easements and covenants, the recording system, zoning, and the constitutional limits on government takings. Students learn to think about property not as a single right but as a "bundle of sticks" — a collection of rights that can be divided, transferred, and regulated.

The cases below represent the foundational property curriculum. Pierson v. Post introduces the rule of capture and the concept of possession. Johnson v. M'Intosh examines the discovery doctrine and original title. Adverse possession is covered through Howard v. Kunto and Nome 2000 v. Fagerstrom. On landlord-tenant law, Javins v. First National Realty establishes the implied warranty of habitability. The takings cases — Pennsylvania Coal v. Mahon, Penn Central v. New York City, Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council, and Kelo v. City of New London — trace the boundary between valid regulation and unconstitutional seizure.

Every brief is structured in standard law-school format — procedural posture, facts, issue, holding, and reasoning — making them ideal for cold-call prep, outlining, and exam review. Pair these briefs with our AI study tools to master the nuances of real covenants, equitable servitudes, recording acts, and land use regulation.