Skip over carousel to next section
  • Fowler School of Law professor teaching a class
Fowler School of Law
Academic Programs

»Environmental, Land Use & Real Estate Law

Differing from traditional environmental and real estate law programs, the Chapman University Fowler School of Law's Certificate Program in Environmental, Land Use, and Real Estate Law (ENLURE) integrates the study of environmental protection and land use regulation with the study of real property transactions and development, leading to a certificate and transcript notation.

Environmental, Land Use & Real Estate Law Certificate in Detail

Students write research papers that may be published, and ultimately pursue career opportunities that take them to the cutting edge of environmental, land use, and real estate law. All of this occurs in the ecologically stunning and economically vibrant environment of Southern California, a perfect laboratory in which to study land resources issues.


Toggle Section

Certificate Requirements

Successful completion of the ENLURE Program requires the law student to:

  • Earn a minimum 2.8 overall cumulative GPA
  • Earn a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in the certificate courses
  • Complete the two (2) core courses (Property and Constitutional Law)
  • Complete at least two (2) of the core electives required (Environmental Law, Land Use Regulation or Real Estate Transactions)
  • Complete at least four (4) approved electives, including core electives
  • ENLURE-related writing requirement
  • Students may either satisfy the ENLURE writing requirement if a paper course they complete is in the ENLURE field or with a Directed Research Project (1 to 3 credits)

Core Courses


Property (4)

Property law is studied as a social and legal institution to facilitate the acquisition, retention, disposition, and use of personal and real property.  Students explore a variety of rights and responsibilities in property, including distinctions between real and personal property, the nature of ownership and possession, adverse possession, landlord-tenant law, present and future estates in land, concurrent ownership, conveyancing and deeds, recording, common law land use controls (e.g., nuisance and trespass), private land-use restrictions (e.g., easements, covenants, and equitable servitudes), public land-use regulations, and eminent domain. The course may include introductory exposure to trusts, donative transfers, intellectual property, fixtures, mortgages and financing land transactions, and ownership of natural resources (e.g., water, oil, gas, other minerals, wildlife).


Constitutional Law (4) - California Bar Tested

This course covers the powers of the three branches of the federal government, the relationship of the branches of the federal government to each other and to the States, the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, including the effect of the Fourteenth Amendment on the application of the Bill of Rights to the States and an introduction to issues involving equal protection.
Core Electives (Must complete at least two (2) of the following)


Environmental Law (3)

This course constitutes an analysis of the ends and means of environmental protection through study of statutes, administrative regulations and practices, and judicial decisions treating the protection of the environment in the United States. Topics may include statutes that regulate pollution emissions (e.g., Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act); procedural requirements (e.g., National Environmental Policy Act, California Environmental Quality Act); administrative law (e.g., standing, standards of judicial review); hazardous and toxic substances and wastes; risk assessment and management; natural resources and wildlife conservation; enforcement and liability; and environmental justice. 


Land Use Regulation (3)

This course examines the politics, policy and law of land use development. The material covers land use planning, zoning, subdivision controls, historic preservation laws, constitutional and state law constraints on regulation, the economics and politics of land development, growth controls, racial and class segregation, sprawl, affordable housing policy, gentrification, environmental regulation, and much more. The course blends traditional case readings with readings from urban theory, history, philosophy, economics and sociology to give students a context for understanding modern land use regulation. The course will have a take-home examination that counts for approximately 50% of the total grade, with the remaining percentage of the grade determined by a series of short reaction papers assigned during the semester as well as class participation. The take-home examination will have a strict word/ page limit. Students will receive the final examination at the beginning of the exam period and have until the end of the exam period to turn it in.


Real Estate Transactions (3)

A study of various aspects of real estate transactions and financing. Topics may include contracts of sale, brokerage, buyer-seller rights and obligations, title insurance, development, commercial leasing, mortgages, deeds of trust, liens, foreclosure, receivership, priorities, subordination, suretyship, securitization, tax considerations, and strategies of negotiation and drafting.

Approved Electives

Specific offerings may vary from year to year, depending on periodic rotation of electives, instructor availability, student interest, and scheduling dynamics. For more information, view our course descriptions.

  • Administrative Law and Practice 
  • Advanced Land Use Seminar
  • Advanced Seminar: Land Development 
  • Advanced Seminar: Land Use Dispute Practice
  • Advanced Seminar: Natural Resources
  • Adanced Topic: Municipal Order
  • Climate Change and the Law
  • Commercial Leasing
  • Environmental Justice Seminar
  • Environmental Law
  • Externship (if approved by ENLURE Director, depending on placement)
  • Housing Law and Policy Seminar 
  • International Environmental Law
  • Land Use Regulation
  • Local Government Real Estate Practice
  • Real Estate Tax Planning
  • Real Estate Transactions
  • State and Local Government Law 
  • Toxic and Mass Tort Law 
  • Trade and Environment
  • Water Law

Certain externships and directed research projects, both for credit, can be counted towards the Certificate. Many students take advantage of externships and directed research papers to develop further specialization in particular areas of interest. Approved externship placements relevant to the ENLURE Program have included:

  • Attorney General of California - Environmental, Land Use and Natural Resources divisions
  • Building Industry Legal Defense Foundation
  • Communities for a Better Environment
  • County Counsel's Office (Orange and Riverside)
  • Several city attorneys' offices (Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Santa Ana)
  • Orange County District Attorney's Office-Environmental Protection Unit
  • Fair Housing Council
  • Federal Aviation Administration
  • Heal the Bay
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • Public Law Center
  • South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Find out more information about Chapman's externship program.

Learning Outcomes

The law school faculty have identified the following learning outcomes as critical to a law degree and to developing the skills needed to become a proficient attorney.

  1. Graduates will know the basic principles of the substantive law applicable to environmental, real estate, and land use law.
  2. Graduates will be able to engage in legal analysis and reasoning as required for the competent practice of the law.
  3. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to write effectively as needed for the competent practice of law.

Faculty

In the ENLURE Program, students learn from distinguished scholars and mentors, including a former Assistant US attorney, a United Nations Global Compact Consultant, Property Rights experts, and attorneys with extensive legal experience.

A variety of other faculty and administrators are involved in projects, research, and classes that relate to the ENLURE Program. Distinguished practitioners bring their expertise to the classroom as adjunct professors and speakers in ENLURE courses.

Explore More Specialities

Focus your studies by choosing one or more of our Certificate Programs. Demonstrate to employers that you obtained core skills in your chosen area, distinguishing yourself in the job market and in your career.

Advocacy & Dispute Resolution Business Law Criminal Law
Entertainment Law Entrepreneurial Law Environmental, Land Use & Real Estate Law
International Law Tax Law All Certificate Programs

Learn More

For more information about the ENLURE program, please contact:

Kenneth A. Stahl
ENLURE Director and Professor of Law

Phone: (714) 628-2631
Email:kstahl@chapman.edu or enlure@chapman.edu