In Lambert's Lessee v. Paine, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a deed of trust created by an individual who had died prior to the creation of the deed could be enforced against his heirs. The court held that it could not, as such a transaction would violate public policy and interfere with inheritance rights. The decision established that contracts made after death are void unless they have been specifically authorized by law or approved by a court order. This ruling has since become known as "the dead man's statute," which is still in effect today in many states across America and serves to protect individuals from being taken advantage of through posthumous transactions entered into without their knowledge or consent.

In Lambert's Lessee v. Paine, the Supreme Court was tasked with determining whether a tenant had the right to sue for damages caused by an eviction that occurred before their lease expired. The majority opinion held that tenants did not have such rights, as they were considered mere licensees and thus could be evicted at any time without cause or notice. However, Justice Paterson dissented from this ruling and argued that tenants should indeed have the right to seek damages in cases of wrongful eviction prior to expiration of their leases. He reasoned that since landlords are allowed to evict tenants only when certain conditions are met (such as failure to pay rent), then it is reasonable for them also be liable if those conditions are not fulfilled but they still choose to evict anyway. Furthermore, he noted how allowing landlords free reign over tenant evictions would lead many people into poverty due solely on account of being wrongfully removed from their homes without compensation or recourse against their landlord’s actions; something which he deemed unjust and unfair given the unequal power dynamic between landlord and tenant relationships in society today