Review of Raymond C. O’Brien & Michael T. Flannery, Decedents’ Estates: Cases and Materials (2006)

Earlier on this blog, I discussed a new casebook, Decedents’ Estates: Cases and Materials, by Raymond C. O’Brien (Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law and permanent visitor at Georgetown University) and Michael Flannery (University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law).

Here are excerpts from a review of this casebook which was recently authored by Gerry W. Beyer (Governor Preston E. Smith Regents Professor of Law, Texas Tech University School of Law) and published in 29 U.A.L.R. L. Rev. 561 (2007):

The wills, trusts, and estates casebook market has long been dominated by excellent, time-tested works, several of which are in seventh editions.  It took considerable gumption for Professors Raymond C. O’Brien  and Michael T. Flannery  to enter into this mature market  with the 2006 publication by Carolina Academic Press of their law school course book entitled Decedents’ Estates: Cases and Materials (hereinafter the Casebook).  Unexpectedly, the Casebook provides a viable option to these well-established works by providing a fresh approach while maintaining the necessary coverage of traditional topics. * * *

I predict success for the Casebook and believe that it will bring its authors and their schools favorable recognition. Although long-time adopters of other time- and classroom-tested books may be reluctant to switch because of familiarity with their chosen material, Decedents’ Estates by Professors O’Brien and Flannery deserves serious consideration by both beginning and experienced trusts and estates professors.

Reprints of this review are available upon request.