Case Brief Library

500+ case briefs covering every major 1L subject and the most bar-tested cases in American law. Search by case name or browse by subject.

Constitutional Law(100)

Allen v. Wright

Case addressing the standing and causation in the context of alleged racial discrimination in IRS policy enforcement.

Atwater v. City of Lago Vista

The Supreme Court held that the Fourth Amendment permits a warrantless custodial arrest for a fine-only misdemeanor committed in an officer’s presence when supported by probable cause.

Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of Federal Bureau of Narcotics

The Supreme Court recognized an implied damages remedy directly under the Fourth Amendment against federal officers in their individual capacities.

Bowers v. Hardwick

U.S. Supreme Court held there is no fundamental due process right to engage in consensual homosexual sodomy, upholding Georgia’s sodomy statute (later overruled by Lawrence v. Texas).

Brandenburg v. Ohio

U.S. Supreme Court case establishing the

Buckley v. Valeo

A landmark Supreme Court case on campaign finance regulation and First Amendment rights.

Bush v. Gore

The Supreme Court halted Florida’s 2000 presidential election recount for lack of uniform standards, finding an Equal Protection violation.

Champion v. Ames

A landmark decision on the extent of Congress

Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire

U.S. Supreme Court decision establishing the

Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye v. City of Hialeah

A Supreme Court case addressing the Free Exercise Clause in the context of animal sacrifice by a religious group.

City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co.

The Supreme Court applied strict scrutiny to state and local racial set-aside programs and struck down Richmond’s 30% minority subcontracting requirement.

Clapper v. Amnesty International USA

Supreme Court case addressing standing and speculative injury.

Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill

The Supreme Court held that tenured public employees must receive notice, an explanation of the employer’s evidence, and an opportunity to respond before termination.

Clinton v. City of New York

Declared the line item veto unconstitutional.

Cruzan v. Missouri Dept. of Health

A landmark case addressing the right to refuse life-sustaining medical treatment.

District of Columbia v. Heller

U.S. Supreme Court recognized an individual right under the Second Amendment to possess firearms for lawful purposes, especially self-defense in the home, and invalidated D.C.’s handgun ban and functi

Employment Division v. Smith

Supreme Court held that the Free Exercise Clause does not require religious exemptions from neutral, generally applicable laws.

Ex parte McCardle

A landmark case examining the extent of Congressional power over the jurisdiction of federal courts.

Friends of the Earth, Inc. v. Laidlaw Environmental Services (TOC), Inc.

Supreme Court clarifies Article III standing and mootness in Clean Water Act citizen suits, holding civil penalties can redress injuries through deterrence and voluntary cessation does not moot the ca

Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority

A landmark decision addressing the intersection of the Commerce Clause and state sovereignty.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) -

Complete case brief of Gibbons v. Ogden (1824). Learn about Commerce Clause interpretation, federal supremacy, and interstate commerce regulation.

Goldman v. Weinberger

The Supreme Court upheld an Air Force uniform regulation that barred an Orthodox Jewish officer from wearing a yarmulke while on duty, emphasizing judicial deference to military judgments over Free Ex

Graham v. Connor

U.S. Supreme Court established the Fourth Amendment

Gratz v. Bollinger

Supreme Court struck down the University of Michigan undergraduate admissions points system as not narrowly tailored under the Equal Protection Clause.

Grutter v. Bollinger

Supreme Court upheld a law school’s holistic, race-conscious admissions policy as narrowly tailored to the compelling interest in student body diversity.

Hadacheck v. Sebastian

Early regulatory takings case upholding a municipal ban on brick manufacturing as a valid exercise of the police power despite severe diminution in property value.

Hammer v. Dagenhart

A Supreme Court case addressing the federal power under the Commerce Clause to regulate child labor.

Harlow v. Fitzgerald

The Supreme Court adopted an objective qualified immunity standard for government officials and declined to grant absolute immunity to senior presidential aides.

Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964) -

Complete case brief of Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964). Learn about Commerce Clause power, civil rights legislation, and public accommodations law.

Hodel v. Irving

The Supreme Court held that Congress effected a taking by abolishing both descent and devise of certain fractional Indian land interests and directing uncompensated escheat to tribes.

In re Winship

The Supreme Court held that the Due Process Clause requires proof beyond a reasonable doubt of every element in juvenile delinquency proceedings based on criminal conduct.

INS v. Chadha

The Supreme Court case that declared the legislative veto unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution.

Katz v. United States

Landmark Fourth Amendment case establishing the reasonable expectation of privacy standard and rejecting a purely trespass-based approach.

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District

An examination of the constitutionality of public school employees praying in public settings.

Knick v. Township of Scott

The Supreme Court decision that changed the litigation procedures for Takings Clause claims.

Korematsu v. United States

Complete Korematsu v. United States case brief for law students. Learn strict scrutiny, equal protection, wartime powers, facts, holding, and significance in constitutional law. Essential for law scho

Kyllo v. United States

Thermal imaging and the Fourth Amendment.

Lawrence v. Texas

Complete Lawrence v. Texas case brief for law students. Learn substantive due process, privacy rights, sexual autonomy, facts, holding, and significance in constitutional law. Essential for law school

Lemon v. Kurtzman

Development of the Establishment Clause test.

Lochner v. New York

The Supreme Court struck down New York

Loving v. Virginia

Complete Loving v. Virginia case brief for law students. Learn equal protection, due process, marriage rights, facts, holding, and significance in constitutional law. Essential for law school.

Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council

Comprehensive case brief of Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council (1992) - landmark Supreme Court case on regulatory takings and total economic loss.

Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife

Supreme Court curtailed broad citizen standing, holding that environmental plaintiffs lacked Article III standing to challenge a regulation limiting Endangered Species Act consultation to domestic act

Mapp v. Ohio

The U.S. Supreme Court held that the exclusionary rule, which prevents illegally obtained evidence from being used in court, applies to state courts via the Fourteenth Amendment.

Marbury v. Madison

Complete case brief for Marbury v. Madison (1803), the landmark Supreme Court case establishing judicial review and the power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Maryland v. King

The Supreme Court held that police may, without a warrant, take and analyze a buccal swab of an arrestee’s DNA for serious offenses as part of routine booking, consistent with the Fourth Amendment.

Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission

Supreme Court held that a state civil rights commission violated the Free Exercise Clause by adjudicating a baker’s case with hostility toward religion, issuing a narrow, process-based ruling.

Mathews v. Eldridge

A landmark decision establishing the procedural due process balancing test.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Complete case brief for McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), the landmark Supreme Court case establishing federal supremacy and the Necessary and Proper Clause interpretation.

McDonald v. City of Chicago

Supreme Court incorporated the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms against the states via the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due Process Clause.

Miami Herald v. Tornillo

A landmark case invalidating the Florida statute requiring newspapers to provide equal space to political candidates for replies.

Michael H. v. Gerald D.

Supreme Court upheld California’s conclusive marital presumption of paternity against a biological father’s due process and equal protection challenges.

Miller v. California

Supreme Court case establishing a test for determining obscenity under the First Amendment.

Minnick v. Mississippi

Supreme Court case addressing the right to counsel and re-interrogation under the Fifth Amendment.

Moore v. City of East Cleveland

Supreme Court invalidated a zoning ordinance that narrowly defined “family,” holding that the Fourteenth Amendment protects choices about extended family living arrangements.

Morrison v. Olson

A Supreme Court case addressing the constitutionality of the Independent Counsel Act and its implications for executive power.

Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co.

Seminal due process case establishing that notice must be reasonably calculated to apprise interested parties, requiring mail to known parties and permitting publication only for unknown or unascertai

National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius

The Supreme Court upheld the Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate under Congress’s taxing power, rejected it under the Commerce and Necessary and Proper Clauses, and limited the Medicaid expansion

National League of Cities v. Usery

A landmark case regarding the limits of Congress

New Jersey v. T.L.O.

Supreme Court adopted a reasonable-suspicion standard for searches by public school officials under the Fourth Amendment.

New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964) -

Complete case brief of New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964). Learn about First Amendment protection, actual malice standard, and freedom of the press.

New York Times Co. v. United States

A landmark decision on the issue of prior restraint, addressing the Pentagon Papers

New York v. United States

Supreme Court decision establishing that Congress may not commandeer state governments to enact or administer federal regulatory programs.

Obergefell v. Hodges

U.S. Supreme Court decision recognizing a constitutional right for same-sex couples to marry and requiring states to license and recognize such marriages.

Ohio v. Roberts

Established the pre-Crawford Confrontation Clause framework requiring witness unavailability and adequate indicia of reliability for admitting hearsay.

Palmore v. Sidoti

The Supreme Court unanimously held that courts may not rely on racial considerations or anticipated private biases to alter child custody under the Equal Protection Clause.

Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1

Supreme Court limits use of individual racial classifications in K–12 student assignment plans.

Personnel Administrator v. Feeney

A gender discrimination case exploring the intent behind facially neutral laws with disparate impacts.

Plessy v. Ferguson

U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld state-mandated racial segregation under the separate but equal doctrine.

Printz v. United States

The Supreme Court held that Congress cannot compel state executive officials to implement or administer a federal regulatory program.

R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul

The Supreme Court case addressing content-based discrimination in laws regulating hate speech.

Reed v. Town of Gilbert

Supreme Court held that a town’s sign code drawing subject-matter distinctions was content-based and failed strict scrutiny under the First Amendment.

Roe v. Wade

Complete case brief for Roe v. Wade (1973), the landmark Supreme Court case establishing the constitutional right to abortion and privacy rights under the Due Process Clause.

Rucho v. Common Cause

The Supreme Court held that partisan gerrymandering claims present nonjusticiable political questions in federal court.

Safford Unified School District No. 1 v. Redding

The Supreme Court held that a school strip search of a 13-year-old for non-dangerous pills violated the Fourth Amendment, though the official received qualified immunity.

Santosky v. Kramer

Due process requires the State to prove parental unfitness by clear and convincing evidence before permanently terminating parental rights.

Seila Law LLC v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

A landmark Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality of the CFPB

Shaw v. Reno

The Supreme Court held that redistricting predominantly based on race triggers strict scrutiny under the Equal Protection Clause, even when the plan is facially neutral.

Shelby County v. Holder

The Supreme Court invalidated the Voting Rights Act’s Section 4(b) coverage formula, effectively disabling Section 5 preclearance.

Shelley v. Kraemer

Supreme Court held that judicial enforcement of racially restrictive covenants is unconstitutional state action under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Sherbert v. Verner

A landmark case on religious freedom and unemployment benefits under the Free Exercise Clause.

Slaughter-House Cases

The Supreme Court upheld a Louisiana slaughterhouse monopoly and narrowly construed the Fourteenth Amendment

Snyder v. Phelps

The Supreme Court case that examined the balance between First Amendment rights and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims.

South Dakota v. Dole

The Supreme Court upheld Congress’s power to condition federal highway funds on states adopting a 21-year-old minimum drinking age.

Southern Pacific Co. v. Jensen

Supreme Court held that a state workers’ compensation law could not be applied to a maritime injury occurring on navigable waters because it would disrupt the uniformity of federal maritime law.

Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins

A significant Supreme Court case on the issue of standing and the necessity of demonstrating a concrete injury.

Tennessee v. Garner

Supreme Court limits police use of deadly force against fleeing suspects under the Fourth Amendment.

Town of Greece v. Galloway

A case concerning the constitutionality of legislative prayer under the Establishment Clause.

Troxel v. Granville

U.S. Supreme Court plurality recognizing parents’ fundamental right to make childrearing decisions and limiting broad third-party visitation statutes.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. v. FCC (Turner I & Turner II)

The Supreme Court held that federal cable must-carry rules are content-neutral and, under intermediate scrutiny, constitutional, articulating a foundational framework for analyzing content neutrality

United States v. Darby

Key Supreme Court case addressing the Commerce Clause and its application under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

United States v. Lopez

Complete case brief for United States v. Lopez (1995), the landmark Supreme Court case that limited federal commerce power and revived federalism principles.

United States v. Mendenhall

A case addressing the Fourth Amendment

Village of Arlington Heights v. Metropolitan Housing Development Corp.

Landmark case on discriminatory intent and impact under the Equal Protection Clause.

Village of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co.

The Supreme Court upheld comprehensive municipal zoning as a valid exercise of the police power under the Fourteenth Amendment.

Virginia v. Black

A Supreme Court case that addressed whether a Virginia statute banning cross burning with the intent to intimidate was constitutional.

Washington v. Davis

A landmark decision establishing the requirement of discriminatory intent for proving racial discrimination under the Equal Protection Clause.

Wickard v. Filburn (1942) -

Complete case brief of Wickard v. Filburn (1942). Learn about Commerce Clause expansion, federal regulatory power, and the substantial effects test.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

A case addressing the balance between religious freedom and compulsory education laws.

Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952) -

Complete case brief of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952). Learn about presidential powers, separation of powers, and constitutional limits on executive authority.

Contracts(78)

Alaska Packers v. Domenico

Complete Alaska Packers v. Domenico case brief for law students. Learn the pre-existing duty rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Allegheny College v. National Chautauqua Bank

Allegheny College v. National Chautauqua Bank case brief analyzing promissory estoppel, charitable pledges, and consideration. Essential for understanding promissory estoppel doctrine.

American Standard, Inc. v. Schectman

A case discussing the principles of cost of performance versus diminution in value in contract litigation.

Anglia Television v. Reed

A case about recovering reliance damages in a breach of contract.

Austin Instrument, Inc. v. Loral Corp.

New York’s leading case holding that price-increase modifications extracted by a threatened breach may be voided for economic duress.

Austin v. Burge

Newspaper recipient held liable for subscription price based on an implied-in-fact contract arising from knowing acceptance and use of the paper.

Bailey v. West

Complete Bailey v. West case brief for law students. Learn the contract modification rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Batsakis v. Demotsis

Complete Batsakis v. Demotsis case brief for law students. Learn adequacy of consideration rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Beachcomber Coins, Inc. v. Boskett

New Jersey Appellate Division allows rescission for mutual mistake where both parties believed a rare coin was genuine but it was counterfeit.

Boone v. Coe

Classic Statute of Frauds case limiting recovery to restitution and denying reliance damages when an oral agreement within the statute is unenforceable and the defendant received no benefit.

Britton v. Turner

Foundational contracts case allowing a breaching party to recover in restitution for benefits conferred, subject to deduction for the other party’s damages.

Brown Machine, Inc. v. Hercules, Inc.

UCC § 2-207 battle of the forms case holding that an indemnity clause in a seller’s acknowledgment did not become part of the contract.

C & J Fertilizer, Inc. v. Allied Mutual Insurance Co.

A case that examines the application of the parol evidence rule and contract ambiguity in an insurance context.

Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co.

Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball Co. case brief analyzing unilateral contracts, consideration, and offer acceptance. Essential reading for 1L Contracts students.

Clark v. West

A landmark case concerning the waiver of conditions in contracts.

Crabtree v. Elizabeth Arden Sales Corp.

New York’s high court held that multiple writings—only one of which was signed—could be read together to satisfy the Statute of Frauds for a two-year employment contract.

Drennan v. Star Paving

Drennan v. Star Paving case brief analyzing promissory estoppel, reliance, and subcontractor bids. Essential for understanding promissory estoppel doctrine.

Eastern Air Lines, Inc. v. Gulf Oil Corp.

Federal district court enforces a jet-fuel requirements contract under UCC § 2-306 and rejects a seller’s impracticability defense amid the 1970s oil crisis.

Eastern Airlines v. Gulf Oil Corp.

Case examining the doctrine of commercial impracticability due to price changes in a fuel supply contract.

Embry v. Hargadine

Complete Embry v. Hargadine case brief for law students. Learn the objective theory of contracts rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Empire Gas v. American Bakeries

This case addresses the enforceability of requirements contracts and the implication of good faith under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Escott v. BarChris Construction Corp.

Seminal Section 11 case defining the due diligence defense for underwriters and directors in securities offerings.

Feinberg v. Pfeiffer Co.

Feinberg v. Pfeiffer Co. case brief analyzing promissory estoppel and gratuitous promises in employment contexts.

Feld v. Henry S. Levy & Sons, Inc.

A pivotal case regarding the interpretation of good faith in requirements contracts.

Gay Jenson Farms Co. v. Cargill, Inc.

A lender’s pervasive control over a debtor’s operations can transform the lender into a principal liable on the debtor’s contracts.

Hadley v. Baxendale

Complete case brief for Hadley v. Baxendale (1854), the landmark English contract law case establishing the rule for consequential damages and foreseeability in breach of contract.

Hamer v. Sidway

Complete Hamer v. Sidway case brief for law students. Learn the consideration rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Henningsen v. Bloomfield Motors, Inc.

Seminal case that invalidated broad warranty disclaimers in consumer auto sales and extended implied warranty protection beyond privity.

Hill v. Gateway 2000

Complete Hill v. Gateway 2000 case brief for law students. Learn about shrinkwrap contracts, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Hillman v. HCA Inc.

A case determining the elements required for contract formation and mutual assent.

Hoch v. Federal Express

Battle of the forms under UCC § 2-207.

Hochster v. De La Tour

Complete case brief for Hochster v. De La Tour (1853), the landmark case establishing the doctrine of anticipatory repudiation in contract law.

Hoffman v. Red Owl Stores, Inc.

Wisconsin Supreme Court applies promissory estoppel to pre-contract franchise negotiations and awards reliance damages for induced pre-contractual actions.

Howard v. Federal Crop Insurance Corp.

Fourth Circuit construes an insurer’s post-loss inspection clause as a promise rather than an express condition precedent, avoiding forfeiture absent clear language or prejudice, and addresses waiver

Industrial America, Inc. v. Fulton Industries, Inc.

Delaware Supreme Court decision recognizing a finder

Ionics, Inc. v. Elmwood Sensors, Inc.

A case analyzing additional terms in acceptance under UCC 2-207.

Jacob & Youngs v. Kent

Complete Jacob & Youngs v. Kent case brief for law students. Learn the substantial performance doctrine, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

James Baird Co. v. Gimbel Bros.

James Baird Co. v. Gimbel Bros. case brief analyzing promissory estoppel, subcontractor bids, and reliance. Essential for understanding early promissory estoppel doctrine.

KGM Harvesting v. Fresh Network

A case examining the requirements contract under UCC good faith provisions.

Klocek v. Gateway

A case addressing the enforceability of standard form contracts and the application of UCC 2-207.

Kovacs v. Freeman

A case on contract interpretation and the use of parol evidence.

Laidlaw v. Organ

duty to disclose in contract formation.

Lefkowitz v. Great Minneapolis Surplus Store

Lefkowitz v. Great Minneapolis Surplus Store case brief analyzing advertisements as offers, contract formation, and definite terms. Essential for 1L Contracts students.

Lenawee County Board of Health v. Messerly

A case addressing mutual mistake and contract rescission in real estate transactions.

Leonard v. PepsiCo

Leonard v. PepsiCo case brief analyzing advertisements, offers, and the reasonable person standard. Essential for understanding modern contract formation principles.

Locke v. Warner Bros., Inc.

California Court of Appeal holds that a party vested with contractual discretion must exercise that discretion in good faith, creating triable issues where a studio allegedly refused in bad faith to c

Lonergan v. Scolnick

Lonergan v. Scolnick case brief analyzing contract formation, offer and acceptance, and the objective theory of contracts. Essential for 1L Contracts students.

Lucy v. Zehmer

Complete Lucy v. Zehmer case brief for law students. Learn the contract formation rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Market Street Associates v. Frey

good faith and fair dealing in contracts.

Mills v. Wyman

A purely moral obligation, without a prior legal duty or bargained-for exchange, is not sufficient consideration to render a promise enforceable.

Mineral Park Land Co. v. Howard

California Supreme Court recognizes impracticability—extreme and unreasonable expense—as a basis to excuse contractual performance.

Neri v. Retail Marine Corp.

lost profits damages for sellers and the UCC§ 2-708(2) lost volume seller doctrine.

NIPSCO v. Carbon County Coal

Complete NIPSCO v. Carbon County Coal case brief for law students. Learn about commercial impracticability, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Nursing Care Services, Inc. v. Dobos

Florida appellate decision recognizing restitution for necessary medical services furnished without consent to an incapacitated patient.

Odorizzi v. Bloomfield School District

A case about duress and undue influence involving a teacher coerced into resigning.

Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. v. Oppenheim, Appel, Dixon & Co.

New York’s high court enforced an express condition precedent—timely delivery of a landlord’s written consent—holding that substantial performance cannot satisfy an express condition.

Owen v. Tunison

offer versus negotiation.

Parker v. Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.

A seminal case on the duty to mitigate damages in employment contracts.

Peevyhouse v. Garland Coal & Mining Co.

Case concerning economic waste and limitation on damages in contract breaches.

Plowman v. Indian Refining Co.

A case determining the enforceability of promises in the context of employer-employee relationships.

Raffles v. Wichelhaus

Complete case brief for Raffles v. Wichelhaus (1864), the landmark contract law case establishing the doctrine of mutual misunderstanding and the famous Peerless ship ambiguity case.

Rockingham County v. Luten Bridge Co.

A landmark case on the duty to mitigate damages and anticipatory repudiation in contract law.

Security Stove & Manufacturing Co. v. American Railway Express Co.

Case focusing on foreseeability and consequential damages in contract law relating to transportation services.

Sherwood v. Walker

Complete Sherwood v. Walker case brief for law students. Learn the mutual mistake rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Southwest Engineering v. Martin Tractor

A case addressing the duty of good faith and fair dealing in contract performance.

Step-Saver Data Systems, Inc. v. Wyse Technology

A case examining the application of UCC § 2-207 on the

Syester v. Banta

A case examining undue influence in contract formation regarding dance lessons.

Taylor v. Caldwell

Complete Taylor v. Caldwell case brief for law students. Learn impossibility doctrine, frustration of purpose, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Tongish v. Thomas

A case examining the measure of damages for breach of contract under the Uniform Commercial Code.

Transatlantic Financing Corp. v. United States

D.C. Circuit rejects a commercial impracticability claim arising from the Suez Canal closure; increased cost alone was insufficient to excuse performance or justify extra compensation.

United States v. Algernon Blair, Inc.

Quantum meruit recovery.

United States v. O'Hagan

Supreme Court adopts the misappropriation theory of insider trading and upholds SEC Rule 14e-3 for tender offers.

United States v. Winstar Corp.

The Supreme Court held the United States liable for breaching thrift-assistance contracts when later legislation (FIRREA) eliminated promised regulatory treatment of supervisory goodwill.

Vokes v. Arthur Murray, Inc.

Case involving allegations of fraud in dance lesson contract.

Williams v. Roffey Bros.

the practical benefit rule and consideration doctrine.

Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co.

Complete Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co. case brief for law students. Learn the unconscionability doctrine, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Wood v. Boynton

Case involving mutual mistake of value in a sale contract.

Wood v. Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon

Complete Wood v. Lucy case brief for law students. Learn the implied duty rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. Essential for law school.

Torts(66)

Adams v. Bullock

A landmark case in determining the standard of reasonable care and foreseeability in negligence law.

Addis v. Grammer

Battery and implied consent dispute (please confirm jurisdiction and facts).

Alcorn v. Mitchell

A pivotal case in defining the parameters of assault and battery.

Anns v. Merton London Borough Council

Comprehensive case brief of Anns v. Merton London Borough Council (1978) - landmark case establishing the two-stage test for duty of care, later refined by Caparo.

Baker v. Fenneman & Brown Properties, LLC

Indiana recognized a business’s duty to take reasonable steps to aid or protect an invitee who becomes ill or injured on the premises, even when the business did not cause the emergency.

Barker v. Kallash

New York’s high court barred a negligence claim where the plaintiff’s injuries directly resulted from his own serious illegal conduct—constructing a pipe bomb.

Barker v. Lull Engineering Co., Inc.

California Supreme Court establishes the dual tests and burden-shifting framework for strict products liability design defects.

Behrens v Bertram Mills Circus Ltd

English tort case imposing strict liability on the keeper of a wild animal (an elephant) for harm characteristic of the species.

Berger v. Shapiro

New Jersey Supreme Court delineates the limits of the attractive nuisance/trespassing-children doctrine for ordinary water hazards on residential property.

Bird v. Holbrook

A seminal case on the use of force in the defense of property.

Blyth v. Birmingham Waterworks Co.

Blyth v. Birmingham Waterworks Co. case brief analyzing the definition of negligence and the reasonable care standard in tort law.

Bolton v Stone

House of Lords held no negligence or nuisance where the risk of a cricket ball leaving the ground and causing injury was exceedingly small.

Boomer v. Atlantic Cement

Complete Boomer v. Atlantic Cement case brief for law students. Learn nuisance law, injunctive relief, damages, facts, holding, and significance in tort law. Essential for law school.

Byrne v. Boadle

A foundational case for the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur in tort law.

Cambridge Water Co Ltd v Eastern Counties Leather plc

House of Lords held that foreseeability of damage is a prerequisite for liability in private nuisance and under Rylands v Fletcher, denying recovery for unforeseeable groundwater contamination by indu

Caparo Industries v. Dickman

Comprehensive case brief of Caparo Industries v. Dickman (1990) - landmark case establishing the three-stage test for duty of care in negligence.

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad v. Krayenbuhl

A landmark case in tort law involving the doctrine of attractive nuisance and duty of care.

Cronin v. J.B.E. Olson Corp.

A seminal case in products liability involving consumer expectations.

Dillon v. Legg

A case determining the recovery for bystander emotional distress.

Donoghue v. Stevenson

Comprehensive case brief of Donoghue v. Stevenson (1932) - landmark negligence case establishing the neighbor principle and modern duty of care.

Enright v. Eli Lilly & Co.

New York’s high court refused to recognize a third-generation (preconception) tort claim by a DES granddaughter, limiting liability to those directly exposed in utero.

Farwell v. Keaton

Michigan Supreme Court recognizes a duty to aid arising from a voluntary undertaking and from companions engaged in a common social venture.

Feres v. United States

Supreme Court established the Feres doctrine, barring FTCA suits by servicemembers for injuries “incident to service.”.

Garratt v. Dailey

Washington Supreme Court clarifies that intent for battery includes acting with knowledge to a substantial certainty that harmful or offensive contact will result, and that a minor can possess such in

Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Co.

Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Co. case brief analyzing punitive damages in product liability cases and corporate cost-benefit analysis in safety decisions.

Hammontree v. Jenner

A case exploring the application of strict liability in the context of an automobile accident caused by a sudden medical condition.

Hawkins v. McGee

Complete Hawkins v. McGee case brief for law students. Learn the expectation damages rule, facts, holding, and significance in contract law. The hairy hand case.

Heaven v. Pender

Heaven v. Pender case brief analyzing the foundational neighbor principle and duty of care in negligence law, establishing liability for foreseeable harm.

Helling v. Carey

A landmark case addressing the standards of care in medical malpractice by critiquing reliance on professional custom.

Herman v. Wesgate

Request for clarification: case identification needed; interim overview of the rescue doctrine provided.

Hustler Magazine, Inc. v. Falwell

A landmark First Amendment case involving intentional infliction of emotional distress claims by public figures.

Katko v. Briney

A landmark case on the use of force in defense of property.

Kelly v. Gwinnell

New Jersey recognizes social host liability for serving an intoxicated adult guest who then drives and injures a third party.

Kremen v. Cohen

Ninth Circuit held that a domain name is property under California law and that a registrar’s wrongful transfer can constitute conversion.

Lubitz v. Wells

Lubitz v. Wells case brief analyzing the reasonable person standard for children in negligence law and the application of adult standards to child defendants.

MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co.

Comprehensive case brief of MacPherson v. Buick Motor Co. (1916) - landmark product liability case establishing manufacturer duty to ultimate consumers.

Manning v. Grimsley

Pitcher’s throw at hecklers injures a bystander; intent (and transferred intent) vs. recklessness and employer vicarious liability.

McDougald v. Garber

A case addressing the award of pain and suffering damages in situations of reduced consciousness.

Moore v. Regents of the University of California

California Supreme Court rejected a conversion claim over excised human cells but allowed claims for breach of fiduciary duty and lack of informed consent based on undisclosed financial interests.

Morgan v. High Penn Oil Co.

A landmark case involving private nuisance due to intentional actions by an oil refinery.

Murphy v. Brentwood District Council

Comprehensive case brief of Murphy v. Brentwood District Council (1991) - landmark case overruling Anns and restricting recovery for pure economic loss.

O\'Brien v. Cunard Steamship Co.

A seminal torts case holding that consent to bodily contact may be implied from a person’s conduct and surrounding circumstances, defeating a battery claim.

Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad

Complete Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad case brief for law students. Learn the proximate cause rule, facts, holding, and significance in tort law. Essential for law school.

Ploof v. Putnam

Vermont Supreme Court recognizes a private necessity privilege to trespass and imposes a duty on landowners not to expel those seeking refuge from imminent peril.

Pokora v. Wabash Railway Co.

A case addressing the duty of care required by individuals at railroad crossings.

Rowland v. Christian

Rowland v. Christian case brief analyzing the abolition of common law distinctions between invitees, licensees, and trespassers in premises liability.

Rowley v. City of Los Angeles (clarification needed)

Request for clarification: there does not appear to be a published, commonly taught case titled

Rylands v. Fletcher

Landmark strict-liability case establishing that one who brings onto land a dangerous thing is liable for harm if it escapes—foundation for U.S. strict liability for abnormally dangerous activities.

Sindell v. Abbott Laboratories

A landmark case establishing market share liability in product liability involving pregnancy drug DES.

Soule v. General Motors Corp.

California Supreme Court limits the consumer-expectations test in design-defect crashworthiness cases to non-technical failures within common experience, requiring risk–benefit proof for complex vehic

Spano v. Perini Corp.

New York Court of Appeals adopts strict liability for property damage caused by blasting, overruling the prior negligence-only rule.

Spur Industries v. Del E. Webb Development Co.

A landmark case involving the doctrine of

State Rubbish Collectors v. Siliznoff

A landmark case in California that expanded the recognition of intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Stubbs v. City of Rochester

A case addressing the issues of causation in tort law concerning a typhoid outbreak.

Summers v. Tice

A landmark tort case dealing with the doctrine of alternative liability and burden shifting in negligence law.

Tarleton v. M'Gawley

Early English tort case recognizing liability for intentionally and unlawfully deterring third parties from trading with the plaintiff.

The T.J. Hooper

A significant case on the role of industry custom in determining negligence.

Thing v. La Chusa

California Supreme Court decision setting limits on bystander emotional distress claims.

Ultramares Corp. v. Touche

Comprehensive case brief of Ultramares Corp. v. Touche (1931) - landmark case on accountant liability to third parties and professional negligence standards.

United States v. Carroll Towing Co.

A landmark case introducing the Hand Formula for negligence liability assessment.

Vaughan v. Menlove

Vaughan v. Menlove case brief analyzing the objective standard of care in negligence law, establishing the reasonable person test over subjective standards.

Vincent v. Lake Erie Transportation

Complete Vincent v. Lake Erie Transportation case brief for law students. Learn necessity doctrine, private necessity, damages, facts, holding, and significance in tort law. Essential for law school.

Vosburg v. Putney

A landmark case in tort law establishing the principle of liability for unintended harm when unlawful contact is initiated.

Weirum v. RKO General, Inc.

California Supreme Court held a radio station liable in negligence for a promotion that foreseeably induced reckless driving leading to a fatal crash.

White v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc.

Ninth Circuit held that a celebrity’s identity can be misappropriated for advertising even without using her name or likeness when the ad evokes her persona.

Ybarra v. Spangard

A landmark medical malpractice case applying res ipsa loquitur.

Criminal Law(66)

Aguilar v. Texas

A seminal case on the reliability of informants for establishing probable cause.

Arizona v. Gant

U.S. Supreme Court narrows vehicle searches incident to arrest to two limited circumstances tied to Chimel’s safety and evidence-preservation rationales.

Batson v. Kentucky

U.S. Supreme Court curtailed racially discriminatory peremptory challenges and established the Batson three-step framework.

Berghuis v. Thompkins

A Supreme Court case addressing whether a suspect

Birchfield v. North Dakota

Supreme Court held that warrantless breath tests are permissible as searches incident to DUI arrests, but warrantless blood tests generally are not.

Brady v. Maryland

A landmark ruling establishing the prosecution

Brewer v. Williams

A landmark decision on the right to counsel and the exclusionary rule.

Bruton v. United States

Admission of a non-testifying co-defendant’s confession implicating the defendant at a joint jury trial violates the Confrontation Clause despite limiting instructions.

Bumper v. North Carolina

Invalid consent from claim of authority.

California v. Acevedo

The Supreme Court adopted a single, bright-line rule allowing warrantless searches of containers within vehicles when police have probable cause the container holds contraband or evidence.

California v. Hodari D.

Determines the point at which a seizure occurs under the Fourth Amendment.

Carpenter v. United States

The Supreme Court held that obtaining historical cell-site location information (CSLI) from a wireless carrier is a Fourth Amendment search that generally requires a warrant supported by probable caus

Chimel v. California

A seminal case defining the scope of search incident to arrest under the Fourth Amendment.

Clarification needed

Multiple cases titled Commonwealth v. Robinson exist; please specify the jurisdiction and year/citation for the felony-murder case you want briefed.

Colorado v. Connelly

Supreme Court held that coercive police activity is a necessary predicate to deem a confession involuntary under the Due Process Clause, even when the suspect suffers from mental illness.

Commonwealth v. Malone

Pennsylvania Supreme Court affirmed a second-degree murder conviction where a teen killed a friend during a

Crawford v. Washington

Landmark Confrontation Clause decision holding that testimonial hearsay is inadmissible unless the declarant is unavailable and the defendant had a prior opportunity to cross-examine.

Davis v. United States

The Supreme Court held that after a valid Miranda waiver, police need not stop or clarify questioning when a suspect makes an ambiguous or equivocal reference to counsel; invocation must be unambiguou

Edwards v. Arizona

A case determining the scope of the right to counsel during police interrogations under the Fifth Amendment.

Fernandez v. California

A co-occupant’s voluntary consent validates a warrantless search after police lawfully remove a previously objecting tenant; Georgia v. Randolph’s bar applies only while the objector is physically pre

Florida v. Bostick

Supreme Court rejects a per se rule that police bus sweeps are seizures, clarifying that the proper question is whether a reasonable passenger would feel free to decline the officers’ requests or othe

Florida v. Jardines

The Supreme Court held that using a drug-sniffing dog on a home

Georgia v. Randolph

A physically present co-occupant’s express refusal to consent to a police search renders another occupant’s consent insufficient under the Fourth Amendment.

Giglio v. United States

A pivotal Supreme Court case addressing the obligations of the prosecution to disclose impeachment evidence under Brady v. Maryland.

Hudson v. Michigan

U.S. Supreme Court held that a violation of the knock-and-announce requirement does not require suppression of evidence discovered under a valid search warrant.

Illinois v. Gates

The Supreme Court replaced the rigid Aguilar–Spinelli test with a flexible totality-of-the-circumstances approach for determining probable cause to issue warrants, holding that corroborated anonymous

Kyles v. Whitley

A pivotal Supreme Court case addressing the Brady materiality standard.

Manson v. Brathwaite

A Supreme Court case concerning the admissibility of eyewitness identifications obtained through suggestive identification procedures.

Maryland v. Shatzer

The Supreme Court adopted a 14-day break-in-custody rule that resets Edwards and allows police to reinitiate interrogation after a suspect has invoked the Miranda right to counsel.

Massiah v. United States

A seminal case regarding the Sixth Amendment right to counsel during post-indictment interactions.

Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts

The Supreme Court held that forensic lab certificates are testimonial and cannot be admitted without the analyst’s live testimony or prior cross-examination, under the Confrontation Clause.

Midgett v. State

Arkansas Supreme Court reduced a first-degree murder conviction to second-degree where the State failed to prove premeditation and deliberation in a child-abuse death.

Minnesota v. Olson

The Supreme Court held that an overnight guest has a reasonable expectation of privacy in a host

Neil v. Biggers

The United States Supreme Court case concerning the reliability of eyewitness identification.

Nix v. Williams

Establishment of the

North Carolina v. Butler

The Supreme Court held that an express written or oral waiver is not required for Miranda; waiver may be inferred from a suspect’s words and conduct under the totality of the circumstances.

Oregon v. Mathiason

Supreme Court clarifies that Miranda warnings are required only for custodial interrogation, not for voluntary stationhouse interviews where the suspect is not under arrest or otherwise restrained.

Payton v. New York

The Supreme Court held that police may not make a warrantless, nonconsensual entry into a suspect’s home to make a routine felony arrest absent exigent circumstances.

People v. Acosta

California Court of Appeal decision on proximate cause in a homicide prosecution where two police helicopters collided during a pursuit.

People v. Conley

Illinois case illustrating how intent to cause serious injury can be inferred from the natural and probable consequences of an attack and applied via transferred intent.

People v. Eulo

New York’s high court recognized brain death as legal death and clarified causation in homicide when life support is withdrawn or organs are procured.

People v. Goetz

New York’s high court defined the justification standard as an objective reasonableness test informed by the defendant’s circumstances and reinstated the indictment arising from the subway shooting.

People v. Jaffe

New York

People v. Rizzo

New York’s leading attempt case defining the dangerous proximity test and holding that mere preparation to commit robbery is not an attempt absent proximity to success.

People v. Russell

New York’s high court held that mutual combatants in a public shootout can be liable as accomplices for depraved indifference murder of a bystander even without a conspiratorial agreement or proof of

Regina v. Cunningham

Seminal case defining “maliciously” as intention or subjective recklessness in criminal law.

Regina v. Faulkner

Mens rea for arson cannot be supplied by intent to commit a different felony; no cross-offense transferred intent.

Regina v. Prince

Landmark English case holding that mistake of age is no defense to a morals-protection offense, effectively imposing strict liability as to the victim’s age.

Riley v. California

The Supreme Court held that police generally must obtain a warrant before searching the digital contents of a cell phone seized incident to arrest.

Schmerber v. California

Supreme Court upheld a warrantless, nonconsensual blood draw in a DUI investigation under exigent circumstances and held the Fifth Amendment privilege does not apply to physical evidence.

Schneckloth v. Bustamonte

A decision determining the requirements for a valid consent search by law enforcement.

Spinelli v. United States

A case addressing the two-prong test for the reliability of informant tips in establishing probable cause.

State v. Guthrie

West Virginia rejected the

State v. Norman

North Carolina Supreme Court held that a battered spouse who killed her sleeping abuser was not entitled to self-defense instructions because the threat was not imminent.

Steagald v. United States

An arrest warrant for a suspect does not authorize entry into and search of a third party’s home absent consent or exigent circumstances; a search warrant is required.

Taylor v. Illinois

A Supreme Court case addressing discovery sanctions and the exclusion of witnesses in criminal trials.

Terry v. Ohio

Landmark case establishing that police may conduct brief investigatory stops and limited frisks on reasonable suspicion under the Fourth Amendment.

United States v. Balint

Supreme Court held that Congress may dispense with mens rea for regulatory “public welfare” offenses, upholding strict liability for unlawful sales of narcotics under the Harrison Narcotics Act.

United States v. Jackson

Second Circuit upholds attempt conviction despite impossibility where the goods were not actually stolen; factual impossibility is no defense.

United States v. Jewell

Seminal Ninth Circuit decision holding that deliberate ignorance (willful blindness) can satisfy the mens rea of knowledge.

United States v. Jones

Attaching a GPS device to a vehicle and using it to monitor movements constitutes a Fourth Amendment search.

United States v. Leon

Establishment of the good faith exception to the exclusionary rule.

United States v. Robinson

Supreme Court case on the constitutionality of searches incident to arrest for traffic offenses.

United States v. Wade

Supreme Court held that a post-indictment corporeal lineup is a critical stage of the prosecution at which the Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel.

Whren v. United States

The Supreme Court held that a traffic stop supported by probable cause is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment regardless of the officer’s subjective motive.

Williams v. Illinois

Fractured Supreme Court decision on whether a prosecution expert may relate a non-testifying lab’s DNA profile without violating the Sixth Amendment Confrontation Clause.

Civil Procedure(49)

Amchem Products, Inc. v. Windsor

Supreme Court held that settlement-only class actions must independently satisfy Rule 23, emphasizing predominance and adequacy of representation.

Ashcroft v. Iqbal

Supreme Court decision establishing a two-step plausibility pleading standard under Rule 8 and limiting supervisory liability in Bivens actions.

Atlantic Marine Construction Co., Inc. v. U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Supreme Court decision clarifying how federal courts enforce forum-selection clauses through § 1404(a) transfer or forum non conveniens, reassigning burdens and limiting factors considered.

Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly

Supreme Court case that established the

Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc. v. University of Illinois Foundation

Landmark case that established the doctrine of defensive collateral estoppel in patent infringement litigation.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court

Supreme Court limits state courts’ specific personal jurisdiction to claims that have a concrete link to the forum.

Burger King Corp. v. Rudzewicz

Supreme Court case establishing that a long-term franchise contract and related dealings can create specific personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state defendant consistent with due process.

Burlington Northern Railroad Co. v. Woods

A U.S. Supreme Court case addressing whether a federal appellate rule supersedes a conflicting state law under the Erie doctrine.

Byrd v. Blue Ridge Rural Electric Cooperative

Supreme Court case addressing the application of federal versus state procedural law.

Capron v. Van Noorden

A foundational case addressing the non-waivability of subject matter jurisdiction in federal courts.

Caterpillar Inc. v. Williams

A U.S. Supreme Court case concerning the removal jurisdiction and diversity of citizenship requirements in federal court.

Celotex Corp. v. Catrett

Supreme Court decision clarifying that a movant for summary judgment may prevail by pointing out the nonmovant’s lack of evidence on an essential element, without producing affirmative evidence negati

Conley v. Gibson

Seminal decision defining the liberal notice-pleading standard and the

Cromwell v. County of Sac

A foundational case on the doctrine of issue preclusion in the context of res judicata.

Daimler AG v. Bauman

Supreme Court narrows corporate general jurisdiction to forums where a corporation is essentially at home.

Devlin v. Scardelletti

Supreme Court decision on class member standing to appeal.

Erie Railroad v. Tompkins

Complete case brief for Erie Railroad v. Tompkins (1938), the landmark Supreme Court case establishing the Erie doctrine and federal-state law relationships in civil procedure.

Exxon Mobil Corp. v. Allapattah Services, Inc.

A Supreme Court case addressing supplemental jurisdiction and amount in controversy in federal court.

Federated Department Stores v. Moitie

A case concerning the application of res judicata to potentially erroneous judgments.

Ferens v. John Deere Co.

A pivotal case on the issue of forum shopping and the transfer of venue.

Frier v. City of Vandalia

A case analyzing the application of issue preclusion.

Gasperini v. Center for Humanities

A Supreme Court case exploring the application of the Erie doctrine to the standard of jury verdict review.

Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations, S.A. v. Brown

Supreme Court limits state courts’ general jurisdiction over foreign corporations to forums where they are essentially at home, rejecting stream-of-commerce as a basis for all-purpose jurisdiction.

Guaranty Trust Co. v. York

A landmark decision regarding the Erie Doctrine and its impact on federal court proceedings.

Hanna v. Plumer

A Supreme Court case resolving conflict between Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and state law under the Erie Doctrine.

Hansberry v. Lee

A case addressing class action requirements and due process in res judicata.

Hanson v. Denckla

Supreme Court decision establishing that personal jurisdiction requires the defendant’s purposeful availment of the forum state, not the unilateral actions of others.

Hertz Corp. v. Friend

Supreme Court adopts the nerve center test to define a corporation’s principal place of business for diversity jurisdiction.

International Shoe v. Washington

Complete case brief for International Shoe v. Washington (1945), the landmark Supreme Court case establishing the minimum contacts test for personal jurisdiction in civil procedure.

Louisville & Nashville Railroad Co. v. Mottley

A landmark Supreme Court case establishing the well-pleaded complaint rule for federal question jurisdiction.

Ortiz v. Fibreboard Corp.

A Supreme Court case concerning limited fund class actions and Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

Parklane Hosiery Co. v. Shore

A landmark Supreme Court case on the use of offensive collateral estoppel.

Pennoyer v. Neff

Landmark case establishing territorial, power-based limits on state personal jurisdiction.

Peralta v. Heights Medical Center, Inc.

The Supreme Court held that a default judgment entered without proper notice violates due process and must be set aside without requiring the defendant to show a meritorious defense.

Phillips Petroleum Co. v. Shutts

Sets due process limits for binding absent class members and restricts blanket application of forum law in nationwide class actions.

Phillips v. Shutts

A landmark case dealing with personal jurisdiction and due process in class action lawsuits.

Piper Aircraft Co. v. Reyno

Landmark forum non conveniens decision holding that less deference is owed to a foreign plaintiff’s chosen U.S. forum and that a less favorable foreign law does not bar dismissal.

Rush v. City of Maple Heights

A case addressing claim preclusion and the transactional approach.

Semtek International Inc. v. Lockheed Martin Corp.

Clarification on the scope of federal claim preclusion when a case is dismissed with prejudice.

Shady Grove Orthopedic Associates, P.A. v. Allstate Insurance Co.

Supreme Court held that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 governs class certification in federal court even when a state law would bar the class action, so long as Rule 23 does not violate the Rules

Sinochem International Co. Ltd. v. Malaysia International Shipping Corp.

A case addressing whether a district court must establish jurisdiction before dismissing a suit on the basis of forum non conveniens.

Stewart Organization, Inc. v. Ricoh Corp.

A seminal case determining the enforceability of forum selection clauses in federal court proceedings.

Taylor v. Sturgell

Supreme Court case addressing the boundaries of claim preclusion concerning

Van Dusen v. Barrack

A Supreme Court case addressing transfer of venue and its impact on the applicable choice of law.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Dukes

Landmark Supreme Court decision tightening Rule 23 commonality and limiting the use of Rule 23(b)(2) for monetary relief in class actions.

Walker v. Armco Steel

Case addressing the Erie doctrine in federal diversity cases concerning the tolling of statute of limitations.

Well Works Co. v. Layne

A case examining the boundaries of the artful pleading doctrine in federal courts.

World-Wide Volkswagen Corp. v. Woodson

Supreme Court limits personal jurisdiction by holding that mere foreseeability a product will travel to a forum is insufficient absent purposeful availment and minimum contacts.

Zubulake v. UBS Warburg (I–V)

Landmark e-discovery series defining cost-shifting, preservation duties, and spoliation sanctions.

Property Law(37)

Armory v. Delamirie

Seminal finders’ law case establishing that a finder has title good against all but the true owner and setting a strong evidentiary presumption for damages against a wrongful holder.

Baker v. Weedon

Mississippi Supreme Court sets the standard for when a court of equity may order a sale of land subject to a life estate and remainder interests to prevent waste and protect the best interests of all

Dolan v. City of Tigard

Comprehensive case brief of Dolan v. City of Tigard (1994) - landmark case establishing the rough proportionality test for development exactions.

Eliff v. Texon Drilling Co.

A landmark oil and gas rights case deciding liability for negligent waste of natural resources.

Ghen v. Rich

A case regarding the application of custom and first possession rules in whaling.

Harper v. Paradise

Community property dispute—please confirm the correct jurisdiction/year so I can brief the right case.

Harvey v. Harvey

Request for clarification: multiple cases share this caption; need the correct jurisdiction/citation for the easement-interpretation decision.

Hilder v. St. Peter

A landmark case in landlord-tenant law addressing the implied warranty of habitability.

Hinman v. Pacific Air Transport

Foundational airspace case rejecting the literal ad coelum doctrine and distinguishing trespass from nuisance for aircraft overflights.

Howard v. Kunto

A case addressing adverse possession and the applicability of seasonal occupancy.

Jacque v. Steenberg Homes, Inc.

Wisconsin Supreme Court held that punitive damages may be awarded for an intentional trespass to land even when the plaintiff recovers only nominal damages.

Javins v. First National Realty Corp.

Case establishing the implied warranty of habitability in residential leases.

Johnson v. Cowell

One-line description.

Keeble v. Hickeringill

Early English case imposing liability for malicious interference with another’s lawful use of land and trade, even absent possession of wild animals.

Kelo v. City of New London

Comprehensive case brief of Kelo v. City of New London (2005) - controversial Supreme Court case expanding eminent domain power for economic development.

Loretto v. Teleprompter Manhattan CATV Corp.

Establishes a per se rule that any permanent, government-authorized physical occupation of private property is a taking requiring just compensation.

McAvoy v. Medina

A foundational case in finders law addressing the distinction between lost and mislaid property.

Neponsit Property Owners' Association v. Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank

A seminal case on the enforceability of real covenants involving a homeowners association.

Nollan v. California Coastal Commission

Comprehensive case brief of Nollan v. California Coastal Commission (1987) - landmark case establishing the essential nexus test for conditional takings.

Nome 2000 v. Fagerstrom

Case involving adverse possession of land.

Penn Central Transportation v. New York City

Comprehensive case brief of Penn Central Transportation v. New York City (1978) - landmark case establishing the three-factor test for regulatory takings.

Pennsylvania Coal Co. v. Mahon

Foundational regulatory takings case holding that a regulation that goes too far is a taking requiring just compensation.

Pierson v. Post

Complete case brief for Pierson v. Post (1805), the landmark property law case establishing the rule of capture for wild animals and the acquisition of property rights.

Popov v. Hayashi

California trial court recognized a pre-possessory interest in an unowned baseball and ordered an equitable division of proceeds between rival claimants.

Prah v. Maretti

A landmark case on solar access and private nuisance in property law.

Sanborn v. McLean

Implied Reciprocal Negative Easements in Neighborhood Property Law.

Sommer v. Kridel

A case establishing a landlord

State v. Brown — Clarification Needed (Fixtures Test)

Request needs identification of the specific

State v. Shack

New Jersey Supreme Court limits a landowner’s right to exclude where migrant workers need access to legal and medical aid, reversing trespass convictions.

Tahoe-Sierra Preservation Council v. Tahoe Regional Planning Agency

A landmark case on temporary regulatory takings under the Fifth Amendment.

Tulk v. Moxhay

A landmark case on restrictive covenants running with land.

United States v. Causby

Supreme Court held that frequent, low-altitude overflights that directly interfere with the use and enjoyment of land effect a compensable taking of an airspace easement.

Van Valkenburgh v. Lutz

A leading New York case on adverse possession.

Warsaw v. Chicago Metallic Ceilings, Inc.

California Supreme Court recognized a prescriptive easement for truck maneuvering and held that damages are recoverable for its obstruction.

White v. Brown

Case determining the scope of a life estate and implications for property law related to the doctrine of waste.

White v. Samsung Electronics

White v. Samsung Electronics case brief analyzing the right of publicity and protection of celebrity identity in advertising and commercial use.

Willard v. First Church of Christ, Scientist (Pacifica)

California abolishes the common-law bar on reserving an easement in favor of a third party, upholding a recorded parking easement benefiting a church.

Corporate Law(24)

Aronson v. Lewis

Case addressing demand futility in derivative shareholder suits.

Basic Inc. v. Levinson

Supreme Court recognized the fraud-on-the-market presumption of reliance and adopted a probability/magnitude test for the materiality of merger negotiations under Rule 10b-5.

DeWitt Truck Brokers, Inc. v. W. Ray Flemming Fruit Co.

Fourth Circuit pierced the corporate veil to hold a dominant shareholder personally liable for corporate debts based on undercapitalization and misuse of the corporate form.

Dirks v. SEC

Supreme Court decision defining when a tippee is liable for insider trading based on the tipper’s personal-benefit breach.

Dodge v. Ford Motor Co.

Michigan Supreme Court emphasized shareholder primacy by compelling a special dividend while deferring to directors’ discretion on expansion.

Donahue v. Rodd Electrotype Co. of New England, Inc.

Seminal Massachusetts case holding that shareholders in a close corporation owe one another the duty of utmost good faith and loyalty and establishing an equal-opportunity rule for corporate stock rep

Francis v. United Jersey Bank

New Jersey Supreme Court imposes liability on a passive director of a closely held corporation for negligent failure to monitor and stop officers’ looting.

In re Caremark International Inc. Derivative Litigation

Seminal Delaware Chancery decision articulating directors’ duty of oversight and the high bar for oversight liability.

In re Walt Disney Co. Derivative Litigation

Delaware Supreme Court clarifies the standard for corporate director bad faith in the context of executive compensation and a costly severance package.

Marx v. Akers

New York’s high court sets the modern pleading standard for demand futility in derivative suits challenging director and officer compensation.

Meinhard v. Salmon

Landmark New York case establishing the punctilio of an honor the most sensitive standard for fiduciary duties between co-venturers and partners.

Paramount Communications Inc. v. QVC Network Inc.

A landmark case defining Revlon duties and change of control.

Paramount Communications, Inc. v. Time Inc.

Landmark Delaware case discussing Revlon duties in the context of strategic mergers and acquisitions.

Reading v. Regem (also reported as Reading v. Attorney-General)

British Army sergeant compelled to disgorge profits earned by abusing his position and uniform; establishes fiduciary duty to account for gains made by reason of one’s position.

Revlon, Inc. v. MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings, Inc.

Delaware Supreme Court established that once a sale or break-up becomes inevitable, directors must seek the best price reasonably available for stockholders, commonly known as Revlon duties.

Santa Fe Industries, Inc. v. Green

The Supreme Court limited Rule 10b-5 to deceptive or manipulative conduct and held that mere unfairness or breach of fiduciary duty in a cash-out merger, without deception, is not federal securities f

SEC v. W. J. Howey Co.

Landmark Supreme Court case defining

Shlensky v. Wrigley

Illinois appellate decision applying the business judgment rule to uphold directors’ refusal to install lights at Wrigley Field.

Smith v. Van Gorkom (Trans Union)

Delaware Supreme Court held Trans Union’s directors breached the duty of care by approving a merger without an informed process, rebutting the business judgment rule.

Stone v. Ritter

A pivotal case in establishing duty of oversight liability and the definition of bad faith in corporate governance.

Unocal v. Mesa Petroleum

A landmark case on defensive measures in the context of corporate takeovers.

Walkovszky v. Carlton

New York’s high court refused to pierce the corporate veil based solely on undercapitalization and use of multiple corporations owning taxicabs, though it allowed leave to replead an alter ego theory.

Zahn v. Transamerica Corp.

Controlling shareholder breached fiduciary duties by orchestrating a call of preferred stock to strip it of participation in an imminent liquidation, diverting value to common stockholders.

Zapata Corp. v. Maldonado

Delaware Supreme Court establishes a two-step judicial review for special litigation committee motions to dismiss derivative suits when demand is excused.