Civil Trials Bench Book

This book provides guidance for judicial officer in the conduct of civil proceedings, from preliminary matters to the conduct of final proceedings and the assessment of damages and costs. It contains concise statements of relevant legal principles, references to legislation, sample orders for judicial official to use where suitable and checklists applicable to various kinds of issues that arise in the course of managing and conducting civil litigation.

The Model Rules of Professional Conduct provides an up-to-date resource for information on legal ethics. Federal, state and local courts in all jurisdictions look to the Rules for guidance in solving lawyer malpractice cases, disciplinary actions, disqualification issues, sanctions questions and much more. In this volume, black-letter Rules of Professional Conduct are followed by numbered Comments that explain each Rule's purpose and provide suggestions for its practical application. The Rules will help you identify proper conduct in a variety of given situations, review those instances where discretionary action is possible, and define the nature of the relationship between you and your clients, colleagues and the courts.

As a litigator, you spare no time or expense to ensure you are at peak readiness when the trial rolls around. You know you must do your homework to win cases -- thoroughly research the legal issues, draft pleadings, conduct pretrial discovery, prepare witnesses. So don't let all your hard work go to waste by forgetting the most important player in the courtroom -- the judge. That's where the Texas Bench Book Series comes in. The bench books are the only place you'll find the judge's courtroom preferences -- in his or her own words. Each judge provides insight into trial scheduling, motion practice, pretrial and trial procedures, decorum, pet peeves, staff names and numbers, and much more.