November 6-7, 2026 | Program | Participants | Papers
The Private Law Theory Program, University of Texas at Austin School of Law
About the Conference
“Property Works in Progress” brings together leading property scholars who are invited to present and discuss papers on a variety of topics, including property theory, land use, takings, the history of property law, and intellectual property. It features several panels devoted to the discussion of advanced “works in progress” and some roundtables on “early-stage” ideas.
Organizing Committee
Professor of Law; Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Administration
Northeastern University
Professor of Law and the Honorable Frank R. Kenison Distinguished Scholar in Law
Boston University
“The Friends of Joe Jamail” Regents Chair in Law and Founding Academic Director, The Private Law Theory Program
University of Texas at Austin
Program
Friday, November 6th, Sheffield Room (2.111)
8:00 – 8:45 a.m. – Breakfast
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. – Introductions
9:00 – 10:20 a.m. – Works in Progress Session One
Moderator: Avihay Dorfman
Panelists:
- Lee Fennell, The Two-Knives Takings Clause, with comments by Laura Underkuffler
- Molly Brady, The Origins of Single-Family Zoning in American Private Law, with comments by Chris Serkin
10:20 – 10:30 a.m. – Break
10:30 – 11:50 a.m. – Works in Progress Session Two
Moderator: Rashmi Dyal-Chand
Panelists:
- Chris Serkin, War Housing, with comments by Lee Fennell
- Debbie Becher, The American Home-Farm Project: Private Property and the Middle Class, with comments by Rashmi Dyal-Chand
11:50 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – Break
12:00 – 1:20 p.m. –Works in Progress Session Three
Moderator: Anna di Robilant
Panelists:
- Eric Claeys, The Bundle of Sticks Metaphor: A Primer, and Two Critiques, with comments by Anna di Robilant
- Rashmi Dyal Chand & Yael Lifshitz, Fences and Corridors in Property Law, with comments by Molly Brady
1:20 – 2:10 p.m. – Lunch
2:10 – 3:30 p.m. – Works in Progress Session Four
Moderator: Laura Underkuffler
Panelists:
- Oren Bracha, Copyright’s Atom, with comments by Emily Stolzenberg
- Claire Priest, The Property Path: Reflections on the Peruvian Titling Experiment, with comments by Danielle D’Onfro
3:30 – 3:40 p.m. – Break
3:40 – 5:00 p.m. – Works in Progress Session Five
Moderator: Chris Serkin
Panelists:
- Anna di Robilant, Racial Reconstruction and the Law of Exploitation, with comments by Mateo Taussig-Rubbo
- Ela Leshem, Personhood Deference, with comments by Oren Bracha
6:00 p.m. – Conference Dinner @ The Carillon
Saturday, November 7th, Sheffield Room (2.111)
8:15 – 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast
9:00 – 10:20 a.m. – Works in Progress Session Six
Moderator: Bethany Berger
Panelists:
- Jack Whiteley, The Evidentiary Theory of Fences, with comments by Nadav Shoked
- Sara Bronin, Keeping AI In Its Zone, with comments by John Lovett.
10:20 – 10:30 a.m. – Break
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Works in Progress Session Seven
Moderator: Brian Lee
Panelists:
- Emily Stolzenberg, Things of Value: Protecting Life-Sustaining Property, with comments by Lua Yuille
- Avihay Dorfman, Grounding Control, with comments by Jack Whiteley
- Chris Odinet, Bailment in the Age of Tokens, with comments by John Golden
12:30 – 1:15 p.m. –Lunch
1:15 – 2:45 p.m. – Early Stage Roundtables (running concurrently)
Session A, Room TNH 3.124
Moderator: Anna di Robilant
Panelists:
- John Lovett, The Obligations of Neighborhood in Louisiana: Past, Present, and Future
- Ezra Rosser, Modern Enclosure: Private Rights Over Public Resources
- Lua Yuille
Session B, Room TNH 3.129
Moderator: Rashmi Dyal-Chand
Panelists:
- Sarah Schindler, Defensive Landmarking and Owner-Opposed Designations: Historic Preservation as an Anti-Development Tool
- Randall Johnson, Adam Clayton Powell Senior or the Model Church Approach to Community Development
- Adam MacLeod, Intangible Goods in Trust