David,
By using the term case law, I assume as an attorney,
that you mean actual lawsuits that have gone to court over an issue of
deaccession. These cases are most likely instituted by a state's attorney
general since that office is in charge of making sure nonprofits live up to
their responsibilities to the public and that any property given in trust on
behalf of the public is used as directed by the deed of trust of the
donor. In regards to the latter type of cases, you should look
into information regarding the Barnes Foundation in Merion, PA.
Although I'm not exactly sure whether the issue ever reached the courts, I do
know that for a period of time, the leadership of the museum contemplated
selling off some of the works to fund rehab work on the building,etc. You
may find information that's either helpful or that will actually point you to
specific case law. Good luck!
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