Martenet Press

Who owns the road? Is it public? Do we have the right to change it? The answers to these questions depend on an understanding of ways. Grounded in ancient doctrines of easements and other title interests, ways are an integral part of the real property fabric, and without them, private property ownership would be impossible. Yet, unpacking the various claims to these strips can be daunting.

Easements play a big part in that analysis, and Leininger explores the history and principles surrounding them. From private rights of way to controlled-access highways, the sometimes quirky interests have sparked lawsuits over who benefits from them, and who controls the land they burden. Their very existence can be questioned--but they cannot be ignored.

Specific to Maryland, the text will be useful to attorneys, surveyors, title professionals, engineers, developers and others who must understand the rights in and status of these enigmatic title elements.

About the author

Joel Leininger is managing principal of the Baltimore firm S.J. Martenet & Co., believed to be the oldest surveying firm in the nation. He has authored Institutes of Boundary Retracement and lectured across the country on surveying and property law, publishing over 80 articles and essays on these subjects, Leininger served five years on the Maryland Board for Professional Land Surveyors and is a past-president of the Maryland Society of Surveyors.

Contact us: