Writing Competition Winners

2008

First Prize

"Restitution, Eminent Domain, and Economic Development:  Moving to a Gains-Based Conception of the Takings Clause," Matthew Cory Williams, New York University Law School (JD 2008)

Second Prize

"Extinguishing Non-Conformities:  Amortization and the Constitutional Methodology for Terminating Non-Conforming Uses," Joseph Michaels, University of Iowa College of Law (JD 2008).

Honorable Mentions

"An Analysis of Eminent Domain Reacquisition Statutes and Recommendations for Effective Statute Modification and Drafting," Jennifer L. Verleger, Michigan State University College of Law (JD 2008).

"Global Warming and the Future of the California Environmental Quality Act:  Suggestions for Lead Agencies and Policymakers," Winston Stromberg, Loyola Law School Los Angeles (JD 2008).

2007

First Prize

"Constructing the Special Theater Subdistrict: Culture, Politics, and Economics in the Creation of Transferable Development Rights," by Michael Kruse, a 2007 graduate of New York University School of Law. Mr. Kruse's entry was submitted for publication in The Urban Lawyer.

Second Prize

"Broadened Notions of Historic Preservation and the Role of Neighborhood Conservation Districts," submitted by Adam Lovelady, who will graduate from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2008.

Honorable Mention

"Powerful Tool or Insurmountable Obstacle: The Relationship Between Eminent Domain and the Affordable Housing Crisis," submitted by Emily Stubbs, who will graduate from J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in 2008.

"Tax Incentives for Historic Preservation Easement Donations: A Review of New Reforms Under the Pension Protection Act of 2006," submitted by Melaina Jobs, who will graduate from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 2008.

2006

First Prize

"Productive Preservation and the Reinvention of Industrial America"
Jonathan H. Flynn, Georgetown University Law Center
This entry has been submitted for publication in The Urban Lawyer.

Second Prize

"Balancing Community Needs and Individual Property Rights Post-Kelo: A State Legislature's Guide to Drafting Urban Planning-Based Statutes"
Rachel D. Jaffe, 2006 graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law

Honorable Mentions

"Unplanned Change, Challenging Tradition in Land Use Controls: The Case of New Haven's Planned Development District"
Shruti Ravikumar, Yale Law School

"The Legalities of Stream Interventions: Accretive Changes to New York State's Riparian Doctrine Ahead?"
Danielle Sibener Pensley, Cornell Law School

2005

First Prize

"Urban Height Restrictions Without Law: A Philadelphia Story"
Benjamin M. Gerber, Harvard Law School

Honorable Mention

"Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions ... on Free Speech? First Amendment Rights in Common-Interest Communities"
Adrienne Iwamoto Suarez, William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii

"Subordinate or Fundamental Rights in Property? Special Benefits and Givings Recapture in Determining Just Compensation"
Larissa N. Schwartz, William S. Richardson School of Law at the University of Hawaii

2004

First Prize

"Cutting Through the Clause: The Land Use Planning Impacts of Moving 'Partial Takings' from Political Theory to Legal Reality"
George Homsy, Cornell University, Department of City & Regional Planning

Honorable Mention

"Planning for Biodiversity Protection: Policy Lessons from Regional Planning for Affordable Housing"
Rebecca C. Retzlaff, Urban Planning and Policy Program, University of Illinois at Chicago

"Narrowing the Public Use Doctrine: State Courts Take Back the Takings Clause"
Malia Emerson Schreck, William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa

2003

First Prize

"Preservation of Historic Properties' Environs: American & French Approaches"
Francois Quintard-Morenas, Georgetown University Law Center, LL.M. (2003)

Honorable Mention

"Inner-Ring Suburbs and 'Economic Blight': Should Economic Rationales Alone be Enough to Justify Use of Eminent Domain as a Means of Urban Redevelopment?"
Michael Graham, Cleveland State University, JD/MUPDD (2004)

"Effective Land Use Policy and Legislation in China: The Key to the Future of Urban Development of the World's Most Populous Nation"
Ezekiel A. Kaufman, Washington University School of Law, JD (2003)