Community Development Law and Economic Justice--Why Law Matters

26 Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law 31 (2017)

Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 17-83

45 Pages Posted: 10 Nov 2017 Last revised: 21 Apr 2022

See all articles by Peter Pitegoff

Peter Pitegoff

University of Maine School of Law

Scott L. Cummings

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Law

Lisa T. Alexander

Boston College Law School

Alicia Alvarez

University of Michigan Law School

Alina Ball

UC Hastings Law

Susan D. Bennett

American University, Washington College of Law

Patience A. Crowder

University of Denver Sturm College of Law

Veena Dubal

UC Hastings Law

Sushil Jacob

Tuttle Law Group

Kali N. Murray

Marquette University - Law School

Lisa R. Pruitt

University of California, Davis - School of Law

Brandon M. Weiss

American University - Washington College of Law

Date Written: October 30, 2017

Abstract

The evolution of community economic development (CED) over the past several decades has witnessed dramatic growth in scale and complexity. New approaches to development and related lawyering, and to philosophies underlying these approaches, challenge us to reimagine the framework of CED. From the early days of community development corporations to today’s sophisticated tools of finance and organization, this evolution reflects “why law matters” in pursuit of economic justice and opportunity. Change is visible in new approaches to enterprise development and novel grassroots initiatives that comprise a virtual “sharing economy,” as well as intensified advocacy around low-wage work and efforts to contain runaway housing markets against a backdrop of stressed municipal budgets. There has also been a parallel evolution in the legal academy—the maturing of CED programs and expanded attention in scholarship and teaching.

At the Association of American Law Schools (AALS) annual meeting in San Francisco in January 2017, legal scholars gathered to discuss this evolution as part of the discussion group, “Community Development Law and Economic Justice—Why Law Matters.” The goal of the discussion group was to give further definition to CED at a fluid moment in its history and to assess an array of new strategies in the field. Are we in a new post-CED era? What are its primary features? Why, how, and to what extent do law and law schools matter in CED?

Professors Peter Pitegoff, Scott Cummings, and Rashmi Dyal-Chand organized the convening and formally invited twelve additional law scholars to participate, along with a number of informal participants from diverse backgrounds in CED. Each formal participant submitted a brief essay describing a community development initiative or strategy, with attention to how it fits within the evolution of the field and to how (and if) law matters in the selected initiative. Nine of the brief essays, along with framing remarks by Professor Pitegoff and a thematic overview by Professor Cummings, have been published in 26 Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law 31 (2017).

Keywords: Community Economic Development, Community Lawyering, Community Development, Economic Development, CED

Suggested Citation

Pitegoff, Peter R. and Cummings, Scott L. and Alexander, Lisa T. and Alvarez, Alicia and Ball, Alina and Bennett, Susan D. and Crowder, Patience A. and Dubal, Veena and Jacob, Sushil and Murray, Kali N. and Pruitt, Lisa R. and Weiss, Brandon M., Community Development Law and Economic Justice--Why Law Matters (October 30, 2017). 26 Journal of Affordable Housing and Community Development Law 31 (2017), Texas A&M University School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 17-83, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3062124

Peter R. Pitegoff

University of Maine School of Law ( email )

246 Deering Avenue
Portland, ME 04102
United States
207-780-4362 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://mainelaw.maine.edu/faculty/profile/pitegoff-peter/

Scott L. Cummings

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) - School of Law ( email )

385 Charles E. Young Dr. East
Room 1242
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1476
United States

Lisa T. Alexander

Boston College Law School ( email )

885 Centre Street
Newton, MA 02459-1163
United States

Alicia Alvarez

University of Michigan Law School ( email )

625 South State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1215
United States

Alina Ball

UC Hastings Law ( email )

200 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.uchastings.edu/people/alina-ball/

Susan D. Bennett

American University, Washington College of Law ( email )

4300 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States

Patience A. Crowder

University of Denver Sturm College of Law ( email )

2255 E. Evans Avenue
Denver, CO 80208
United States

Veena Dubal

UC Hastings Law ( email )

200 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
United States

Sushil Jacob

Tuttle Law Group ( email )

221 Sansome St., 3rd Floor
San Franciso, CA 94104
United States

Kali N. Murray

Marquette University - Law School ( email )

Eckstein Hall
P.O. Box 1881
Milwaukee, WI 53201
United States

Lisa R. Pruitt

University of California, Davis - School of Law ( email )

Martin Luther King, Jr. Hall
Davis, CA CA 95616-5201
United States

Brandon M. Weiss (Contact Author)

American University - Washington College of Law ( email )

4300 Nebraska Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States

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