Try   HackMD

1L 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:


Final Examination : May 12