How could feminist perspectives and methods change the shape of property law? This volume assembles a group of diverse scholars to explore this question by presenting fundamental property law cases rewritten from a feminist perspective. The cases cover a broad range of property law topics, from landlord-tenant rights and obligations, patents, and zoning to publicity rights, land titles, concurrent ownership, and takings. These rewritten opinions and their accompanying commentaries demonstrate how incorporating feminist theories and methods could have made property law more just and equitable for women and marginalized groups. The book also shows how property law is not neutral but is shaped by the society that produces it and the judges who apply it.
Q. Why this book, and why now?
This book answers the question of whether feminist perspectives and methods could change the shape of property law. A group of diverse property law scholars rewrote significant fundamental property law cases from a feminist perspective. The rewritten cases cover a broad range of property law topics, including landlord-tenant, patents, zoning, publicity rights, land titles, concurrent ownership, and takings. This book demonstrates how rewritten opinions from a feminist perspective could have made property law more just and equitable for women and marginalized groups. It also shows how property law is not neutral, but rather shaped by the society that produces it and the judges who apply it.
Q. Who should read this book?
This book should appeal to property law scholars and anyone interested in the development of U.S. property law. As the book looks at the development of the law through a myriad of feminist theories and methods, the book should also appeal to feminist scholars. In addition, it should be of interest to scholars and students exploring how the law can be made more equitable for women and marginalized groups.
Q. What is the most important takeaway you hope your readers gain from this book?
This book reimagines property cases from a feminist perspective to demonstrate how a feminist lens could impact property law’s development.
Q. How did you decide on the title and cover art?
The cover is an original piece by a Cuban artist. The multicolored panels in the painting can be viewed both as a window and a mirror to the varied perspectives on the development of property rights. The title reflects how a feminist viewpoint could have impacted the development of property law.
Eloisa C. Rodriguez-Dod, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, joined the FIU College of Law in 2012. Prior to joining FIU, she was a Professor of Law at NSU College of Law, where she also served as the Academic Director of its University of Barcelona dual-degree program. Dean Rodriguez-Dod has been selected “Professor of the Year” at both law schools and, in 2016, was the recipient of the university-wide FIU Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. She is a recognized authority in property, estates, and real estate transactions.
Before joining academia, Dean Rodriguez-Dod practiced law at White & Case. She graduated cum laude from the University of Miami Law School, where she was Special Features and Reports Editor of the Inter-American Law Review and inducted into Order of the Coif. She holds a B.A. in International Marketing & Finance from the University of Miami, where she graduated magna cum laude, and an M.B.A. from Florida International University.
Dean Rodriguez-Dod’s scholarship focuses on the necessary balancing of autonomy versus societal goals. Her work includes books, monographs, book chapters, and law review articles. She has been cited, quoted, and excerpted in texts, scholarly books, articles, academic blogs, and leading treatises. She is frequently invited to speak at panels and legal conferences.
In addition to her service to FIU, Dean Rodriguez-Dod also has a strong commitment to national legal education organizations. She currently serves on the Audit Committee of the Law School Admissions Council. She has also served on American Bar Association site evaluation teams and is a past Chair and member of the Executive Committee of the Association of American Law Schools Section on Minority Groups.