HackMD1L Contracts 2020 – 2021
“…he laughed at him for imagining the dishonesty and covetousness of his countrymen could be restrained by written laws, which were like spiders’ webs, and would catch, it is true, the weak and poor, but easily be broken by the mighty and rich” — Plutarch Solon
PCL boilerplate with grading rubric, etc. included in pdf version of this syllabus. Also here.
See the blog for this class. Many thanks to Alex Rodriguez, Esq. of the Law Offices of Hirji and Chau, LLP for introducing PCL to CALI.org
Casebook: Calamari, John D., Cases and Problems on Contracts. 6th EDITION., St. Paul, MN: West, 2011. Print. ISBN: 9780314202857 (or equivalent)
Fall Quarter Syllabus
Week 1 : September 2
Introduction to studying law, overview of contract law, law versus equity, governing law (Common Law v. UCC), goods, merchants.
Reading and Assignments
Casebook
BMC Industries, Inc. v. Barth Industries, Inc.
Sally Beauty Co. v. Nexxus Products Co. (only read Sections II. and III.)
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/17001 | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/750/CON60/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/665/REM04/7027/jq
Optional: http://j.mp/2ZM6LJn
Week 2 : September 9
Mutual assent, invitations to negotiate, advertisements, etc., implied/express, bilateral/unilateral.
Reading and Assignments
Casebook
Lucy v. Zehmer
Leonard v. Pepsico, Inc.
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/16982?CON37P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/434/CON38/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lesson/16965?CON38P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/734/CON44/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/735/CON45/7027/jq
Optional: Balfour v. Balfour | Texaco v. Pennzoil | https://www.cali.org/lesson/737?CON47 | https://www.cali.org/lesson/736?CON46 | https://www.cali.org/lesson/735?CON45 | http://j.mp/2ZO3uJx
Week 3 : September 16
The offer, CL v. UCC, indefiniteness, duration of offers.
Casebook
Lonergan v. Scolnick
Fairmount Glass v. Crunden-Martin Woodenware Co
Southwest Engineering Co. v. Martin Tractor
Oglebay Norton Co. v. Armco, Inc.
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/16924?CON39P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/435/CON39/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/818/CON63/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lesson/16933?CON40P
Optional: Haines v. City of New York | Wagenseller v. Scottsdale Memorial Hospital | Joseph Martin, Jr., Delicatessen v. Schumacher | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/436/CON40/7027/jq
Week 4 : September 23
Offer continued, option contracts, and (merchants') firm offers.
Casebook
Beall v. Beall
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/16946?CON41P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/731/CON41/7027/jq
Optional: http://j.mp/33ofC6n | http://j.mp/2M9uoZn
Week 5 : September 30
Acceptance, CL-mirror v. UCC reasonable, mailbox rule.
Casebook
Broadnax v. Ledbetter
MCC–Marble Ceramic Center, Inc. v. Ceramica Nuova D'Agostino
Carlill v. Carbolic Smoke Ball
Day v. Caton
Ardente v. Horan
Cantu v. Central Education Agency
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/16932?CON61P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/815/CON61/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lesson/16999?CON62P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/814/CON62/7027/jq
Optional: A.W. Brian Simpson, Quackery and Contract Law. (re: Carlill supra) | Fujimoto v. Rio Grande Pickle Co. | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/841/CON65/7027/jq | http://j.mp/2Mcx0pp
Week 6 : October 7
MIDTERM EXAMINATION 60 minutes
Acceptance continued, battle of the forms.
Casebook
Dorton v. Collins & Aikman
Diamond Fruit Growers v. Krack Corp.
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/822/CON64/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17120?CON64_1P | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17118?CON64_2P | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17119?CON64_3P
Optional: https://www.cali.org/lesson/1045?CON64P | http://j.mp/2Mmktjm
Week 7 : October 14
Consideration, bargain theory, modification, PMG, illusory, debts
Casebook
Kim v. Son
Hamer v. Sidway
Gottlieb v. Tropicana Hotel & Casino
Fiege v. Boehm
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/842/CON67/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/1120/CON71/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/1276/CON72/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/418/CON22/7027/jq
Optional: Kirksey v. Kirksey | Pennsy Supply, Inc. v. American Ash Recycling Corp. | http://j.mp/2THM8Ms
Week 8 : October 21
Consideration continued, output & requirements, promissory estoppel
Casebook
BRC Rubber & Plastic, Inc. v. Continental Carbon Company
Wiseco, Inc. v. Johnson Controls, Inc.
Feinberg v. Pfeiffer Co
Conrad v. Fields
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/742/CON52/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/417/CON21/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/7607/CON73/7027/jq
Optional: Summits 7, Inc. v. Kelly | Salsbury v. Northwestern Bell Telephone Co.
Week 9 : October 28
Defenses to formation, Statute of Frauds
Casebook
Ehrlich v. Diggs
Crabtree v. Elizabeth Arden Sales Corp.
Cohn v. Fisher
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/407/CON11/7027/jq | https://www.cali.org/lesson/16971?CON11_1P
Optional: C.R.Klewin, Inc. v. Flagship Properties | "J.M. Perillo, The Statute of Frauds in the Light of the Functions and Dysfunctions of Form" | McIntosh v. Murphy | Azevedo v. Minister
Week 10 : November 4
Statute of Frauds continued, review for final
Casebook
Yarbro v. Neil B. McGinnis Equipment Co.
Lawrence v. Anderson
Dienst v. Dienst
Shaughnessy v. Eidsmo
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/16970?CON11_2P
Optional: http://j.mp/2KCtQt9
Final Exam : November 11
Winter Quarter Syllabus
Week 1 (11) : November 18
Review fall quarter final and material, all other defenses to formation
Casebook
Cocharan v. Dellfava
Maizitis v. TUV America, Inc.
Austin Instrument, Inc. v. Loral Corp
Raffles v. Wichelhaus (plus note)
Nelson v. Rice
Williams v. Walker-Thomas Furniture Co.
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/16981?CON12P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/409/CON13/7028/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/410/CON14/7028/jq | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17014?CON16P | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17025?CON18P | https://www.cali.org/lesson/1104?CON17P
Optional: T.F. v. B.L | Troutman v. Southern Railway Co | Gallon v. Lloyd-Thomas Co. | Sherwood v. Walker | White v. Berenda Mesa Water Dist. | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/408/CON12/7028/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/412/CON16/7028/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/414/CON18/7028/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/413/CON17/7028/jq
Week 2 (12) : December 2
Defenses to formation continued
Casebook
Pettit v. Liston
Ortelere v. Teachers’ Retirement Board
Cousineau v. Walker
Bentley v. Slavik
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/16976?CON15P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/411/CON15/7028/jq | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17026?CON19P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/415/CON19/7028/jq
Optional: Hoffman v. Chapman | Vokes v. Arthur Murray, Inc* | Smith v. Zimbalist
Week 3 (13) : December 9
Performance and terms, Parol Evidence Rule (PER)
Casebook
Mitchill v. Lath
Lee v. Joseph E. Seagram & Sons, Inc.
George v. Davoli
Val-Ford Realty Corp. v. J.Z.’s Toy World, Inc
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/1044?CON06P | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17137?CON06_2P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/402/CON06/7028/jq
Optional: UCC 2-202 | http://archive.org/embed/ContractsParolEvidRule
Week 4 (14) : December 16
MIDTERM EXAMINATION 80 minutes
PER continued, gap fillers, implied terms, conditions.
Casebook
Pacific Gas & Elec. Co. v. G.W. Thomas Drayage & Rigging Co.
Trident Center v. Connecticut General Life Ins. Co.
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/431/CON35/7028/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/421/CON25/7028/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/422/CON26/7028/jq
Optional: Nanakuli Paving and Rock Co. v. Shell Oil Co. | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17138?CON28P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16058/CON81/7028/jq
Week 5 (15) : January 6
Review material prior to break, conditions continued, express & implied, constructive, precedent, concurrent, subsequent.
Casebook
New York Bronze Powder Co. v. Benjamin Acquisition Corp.
Thos J. Dyer Co. v. Bishop International Engineering Co.
J.J. Shane, Inc. v. Aetna Cas. & Surety Co.
Thompson v. Lithia Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Great Falls.
Stewart v. Newbury
Monroe Street Properties v. Carpenter
VRT, Inc. v. Dutton-Lainson
Walker & Co. v. Harrison
CALI/Other https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16058/CON20/7028/jq | http://archive.org/embed/ContractsConditions
Optional: Audette v. L’Union St. Joseph | Inman v. Clyde Hall Drilling Co.
Week 6 (16) : January 13
Conditions continued, excuses, substantial performance, waiver, etc.
Casebook
K & G Constr. Co. v. Harris
Bartus v. Riccardi
A. B. Parker v. Bell Ford, Inc.
Emanuel Law Outlines, Inc. v. Multi-State Legal Studies, Inc.
Scavenger, Inc. v. GT Interactive Software, Inc.
Locke v. Warner Bros. Inc.
Swartz v. War Memorial Commission of Rochester
CALI/Other http://archive.org/embed/ContractsSubstantialPerform
Optional: Jacob & Youngs, Inc. v. Kent (and motion for reargument) | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16221/CON08_15/7028/jq
Week 7 (17) : January 20
Excuses continued, anticipatory repudiation, satisfy, divisibility.
Casebook
Stop & Shop, Inc. v. Ganem
Market Street Associates Limited Partnership v. Frey
Wyler Summit Partnership v. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and Wyler II
Burger King Corp v. Family Dining, Inc.
Western Hills, Oregon, Ltd. v. Pfau
Indoe v. Dwyer
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/432/CON36/7028/jq
Optional: Cantrell-Waind & Associates, Inc. v. Guillaume Motorsports, Inc | Schenectady Steel Co., Inc. v. Bruno Trimpoli General Const. Co., Inc. | R&R of Connecticut, Inc. v. Stiegler | C & J Fertilizer, Inc. v. Allied Mutual Ins. Co.
Week 8 (18) : January 27
Anticipatory repudiation continued, Breach, material, minor
Casebook
Hochster v. De La Tour
Drake v. Wickwire
Cohen v. Kranz
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/10780/CON79/7028/jq
Optional: https://archive.org/embed/ContractsFeb96 | http://archive.org/embed/ContractsFeb01
Week 9 (19) : February 3
Discharge, impossibility, impracticability, frustration of purpose, etc.
Casebook
Krell v. Henry
Western Properties v. Southern Utah Aviation, Inc.
Paradine v. Jane
CNA International Reinsurance Co., Ltd. v. Phoenix.
Clark v. Wallace County Cooperative Equity Exchange.
Eastern Air Lines, Inc. v. McDonnell Douglas Corp.
Transatlantic Financing Corp. v. United States
CALI
Optional: Taylor v. Caldwell | Albre Marble and Tile Co., Inc. v. John Bowen Co., Inc. | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/666/SAL01/7028/jq
Week 10 (20) : February 10
Discharge continued, novation, accord and satisfaction, etc.
Casebook
Kibler v. Frank L. Garrett & Sons, Inc.
Feinberg v. Pfeiffer Co.
First American Commerce Co. v. Washington Mutual Savings Bank
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/835/CON68/7028/jq
Optional: https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/397/CON01/7028/jq
Final Exam : February 17
Spring Quarter Syllabus
Week 1 (21) : March 3
Review winter quarter final and material, breach continued, UCC Perfect Tender Rule
Casebook
UCC Article 2 Part 6 (pp 835–841 in 6th Ed.)
R&R of Connecticut, Inc. v. Stiegler
Bartus v. Riccardi
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/10780/CON79/7029/jq
Optional: Burger King Corp v. Family Dining, Inc. | C & J Fertilizer, Inc. v. Allied Mutual Ins. Co. | Barbri outline § VII.(C.)
Week 2 (22) : March 10
Breach continued, review substantial performance, risk of loss, warranty.
Casebook
Smith v. Zimbalist
Review: Barbri outline § VII
CALI https://www.cali.org/lesson/17138?CON28P | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/9656/CON78/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/743/CON53/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16220/CON08_14/7029/jq
Optional: Barbri outline §§ V.(D.2.) and V.(D.5.) | Bentley v. Slavik | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/424/CON28/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lesson/17071?CON83P
Week 3 (23) : March 17
Remedies, expectation (CFCU), consequential, incidental, liquidated.
Casebook
Hawkins v. McGee
Restatement 2d § 344 (p 22 in 6th Ed.)
Hadley v. Baxendale
Mader v. Stephenson
Rockingham County v. Luten Bridge Co.
Kvassay v. Murray
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/732/CON42/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/746/CON56/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/744/CON54/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/747/CON57/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/748/CON58/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/749/CON59/7029/jq
Optional: Sullivan v. O’Connor | Protector Insurance Service, Inc. v. USF & G Co. | Wassenaar v. Panos | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16213/CON08_07/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16216/CON08_10/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16214/CON08_08/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16215/CON08_09/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16222/CON08_16/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16218/CON08_12/7029/jq
Week 4 (24) : March 24
UCC remedies, perfect tender.
Casebook
Hessler v. Crystal Lake Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.
National Controls, Inc. v. Commodore Business Machines, Inc
Horton v. O’Rourke
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/738/CON48/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/740/CON50/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16211/CON08_05/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16209/CON08_03/7029/jq |
Optional: https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16212/CON08_06/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16210/CON08_04/7029/jq
Week 5 (25) : March 31
Remedies continued, reliance, equitable: specific performance, recision, restitution.
Casebook
Gruber v. S-M News Co.
Anglia Television v. Reed
In Re WorldCom, Inc.
Peevyhouse v. Garland Coal & Mining Company
United States v. Algernon Blair. Blair
Oliver v. Campbell
Centex Homes Corp. v. Boag
Laclede Gas Co. v. Amoco Oil Co.
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/663/REM02/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/742/CON52/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/733/CON43/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/745/CON55/7029/jq
Optional: Parker v. Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp | Jacob & Youngs v. Kent | Patton v. Mid-Continent Systems | Friedman, “The Efficient Breach Fallacy” | Martin v. Schoenberger | Lancellotti v. Thomas | Alan Schwartz, “The Case for Specific Performance” | Karpinski v. Ingrasci | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16219/CON08_13/7029/jq | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/16217/CON08_11/7029/jq
Week 6 (26) : April 7
MIDTERM EXAMINATION 80 minutes
Third party beneficiaries.
Casebook
Lawrence v. Fox
Seaver v. Ransom
H.R. Moch Co. v. Rensselaer Water Co.
CALI
Optional:
Week 7 (27) : April 14
Third party beneficiaries continued, assignment and delegation.
Casebook
Lucas v. Hamm
Erickson v. Grande Ronde Lumber Co.
Detroit Bank and Trust Co. v. Chicago Flame Hardening Co.
Rouse v. United States
Herzog v. Irace
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/401/CON05/7029/jq
Optional: Western Waterproofing Co. v. Springfield Housing Authority | https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/406/CON10/7029/jq | https://youtu.be/X6mA4jYnlAg
Week 8 (28) : April 21
Assignment and delegation continued.
Casebook
Macke Co. v. Pizza of Gaithersburg, Inc.
In Re Kaufman
Seale v. Bates
Associates Loan Co. v. Walker
CALI https://www.cali.org/lessonlink/825/CON66/7029/jq
Optional: Sally Beauty Co. v. Nexxus Products Co. | Western Oil Sales Corp. v. Bliss & Wetherbee
Week 9 (29) : April 28
Putting it all together, review.
Casebook
CALI
Optional:
Week 10 (30) : May 5
Review for final and FYLSX.
Casebook
CALI
Optional:
