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LUCY v. ZEHMER Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: A seller claimed a written contract to sell his farm was a joke made while drinking. The court enforced the contract, holding that the seller’s outward actions, not his secret intent, determined that a valid agreement had been formed.
Legal Significance: This case is a canonical illustration of the objective theory of contract formation, establishing that a party’s outward manifestations of assent, as understood by a reasonable person, are sufficient to form a binding contract, regardless of subjective, unexpressed intent.
LUCY v. ZEHMER Law School Study Guide
Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.
Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
Plaintiff W. O. Lucy had previously expressed interest in buying the Ferguson Farm from Defendant A. H. Zehmer. On the night of December 20, 1952, Lucy encountered Zehmer at the latter’s restaurant. After both men had consumed alcoholic beverages, Lucy offered Zehmer $50,000 for the farm. Following a discussion lasting approximately 30-40 minutes, Zehmer wrote on the back of a restaurant check, “We hereby agree to sell to W. O. Lucy the Ferguson Farm complete for $50,000.00, title satisfactory to buyer.” Zehmer had revised an initial draft from “I” to “We” at Lucy’s request so that his wife, Ida S. Zehmer, could also sign. Mrs. Zehmer signed the document after her husband whispered to her that it was a joke. Lucy took the written instrument, offered $5 to bind the bargain (which Zehmer refused), and left. Lucy subsequently engaged an attorney to examine the title and arranged for financing. The Zehmers later refused to convey the property, asserting that the agreement was made in jest and that they never intended to sell the farm.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does a binding and enforceable contract for the sale of real property exist when one party subjectively intends the agreement as a joke, but their words and actions would lead a reasonable person to believe they intended to be legally bound?
Yes, a valid and enforceable contract exists. The court reversed the trial Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute
IRAC Legal Analysis
Complete IRAC Analysis for Higher Grades
IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.
Legal Issue
Does a binding and enforceable contract for the sale of real property exist when one party subjectively intends the agreement as a joke, but their words and actions would lead a reasonable person to believe they intended to be legally bound?
Conclusion
Lucy v. Zehmer is a foundational case in American contract law, cementing Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut
Legal Rule
The formation of a contract is judged by an objective standard. The Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sun
Legal Analysis
The court applied the objective theory of contract formation, focusing not on Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint oc
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- A party’s unexpressed, subjective intent (e.g., that they are joking) is