The William & Mary Property Rights Project

The William & Mary Law School Property Rights Project promotes the exchange of ideas between scholars and members of the property rights bar through lectures, an annual conference, and publications.

Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference

Since 2004, the Project hosts the Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Conference, which is an annual conference designed to bring together members of the bench, bar, and academia to explore recent developments in the law that affect property rights. At the conference, the Project recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals to the field of property law, especially eminent domain law, with the annual Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Prize. The conference takes place at William & Mary Law School but has also traveled to international destinations, such as Beijing and The Hague.

Property Rights Publications

The Property Rights Project also publishes the Brigham-Kanner Property Rights Journal, which contains the proceedings from the annual conference and other contributions from property scholars and attorneys. In 2018, the Project sponsored the development of a case finder for Virginia decisions relating to constitutional protection of property rights. The cases involve published opinions of Virginia courts and the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Virginia Eminent Domain Case Finder is published online. 

Property Rights Initiative

The Property Rights Initiative (PSI) is the student division of the Property Rights Project. It is dedicated to encouraging, facilitating, and nurturing interests and discussions on property law and property rights issues. PSI was formed in April 2019 by a group of students to provide direct assistance to the Property Rights Project.

Property Rights Fellow

Each year, the Project also selects a student Property Rights Fellow, who conducts research, supports the Project’s director, and helps with the Project’s programs.