Pretrial Litigation Basics

The Seventh Edition includes the latest developments in pretrial practice while enhancing the useful features of previous editions. The 2007 amendments to the federal rules are covered throughout, and the sections on pleading have been updated to discuss federal court pleading requirements in light of Bell Atlantic v. Twombly. Law professors and students praise the book's comprehensive coverage, thorough analysis of rules and procedures, balanced presentation of theories and skills, enjoyable writing style, and helpful questions and problems. It reflects 21st-century practice with the growing use of electronic discovery and court orders, the expanded use of pre-hearing discovery and motions in arbitrations and administrative hearings, and new procedural rule and case law developments across the spectrum of pretrial practice.

A proven success in hundreds of classrooms nationwide, Maerowitz and Mauet's introduction to litigation features greater flexibility than the other leading texts. it covers every step of the litigation process in depth, from the moment the client walks in the door to final settlements - yet never burdens students with needless details and digressions. The writing is friendly and intelligent - with a unique ability to clarify the reasoning behind legal procedures. The pedagogy is expertly crafted for paralegal courses, especially the case materials. They include examples and documents in the text itself, along with a complete litigation file in the appendix, and six separate case scenarios in the accompanying electronic workbook. The quality and variety of the case materials allow you to teach as you wish, rather than locking you into a single case or running scenario. One of the Most Successful Litigation Texts Ever... A complete introduction To The litigation process... covering the basic rules of litigation; investigation, case strategies and planning; pretrial steps, from pleadings to discovery; settlements, trial preparation, judgments, and alternative resolutions. An ideal balance of clarity and depth... with a brisk pace, yet sufficient detail for substantive courses and subsequent use as an academic or professional reference. Highly effective learning features... including examples, charts, checklists, overviews, review questions, and sample documents - without the cluttered pedagogy found in some texts. A litigation file appendix... providing case materials for each stage of litigation, from pleadings to settlements - designed for flexible use with chapter topics as needed. Electronic workbook with cases... includes new self-study aids and case materials, including six different case scenarios for assignments, exercises, and classroom case studies. Now Thoroughly Updated for Your 2003 Courses.... The most current coverage available... with the latest rules, procedures, examples, and references, including recent amendments To The Federal Rules of Civil Procedures New electronic and web resources... with expanded information on computer and online tools for research, case preparation, and every stage of the litigation process

This Nutshell focuses on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, covering changes that resulted from major amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence that became effective on December 1, 2000. Since state counterparts to these federal rules have been adopted in a majority of jurisdictions, the pretrial skills considered in this text are essential in both state and federal practice. Coverage includes client interviewing, attorney-client relationship, pretrial planning and investigation, the complaint, responses, discovery, interrogatories, depositions, production requests, examination, and admissions. Also explores judicial intervention into the discovery process, pretrial motion practice, and judgments.

Ninety percent of all civil cases never make it the jury; they are resolved through a pretrial process that is today the unsung forum for dispute resolution. Rather than teaching lawyers to abandon evidence and trial skills, Pretrial Advocacy does the opposite; it teaches lawyers that modern litigation is “front loaded” and cases must be prepared with the assumption that they will be tried. As the authors note, it is the rigor of the pretrial process that drives resolution. From the first client interview through motions practice, you will learn to effectively evaluate cases, draft complaints, conduct informal and formal discovery, prepare and respond to motions, negotiate with opposing counsel, and, if necessary, be ready for trial. Pretrial Advocacy is the ideal textbook for law school clinics, law school pretrial litigation courses, and practicing lawyers. Both practical and theoretical, it teaches litigation as a process informed by rules and cases, but also by strategic considerations. Its hands-on and accessible text makes it a perfect reference for learning skills and a continuing reference. Professors and students will benefit from: Practical guidance for each step of representation, backed up by citations and references for deeper understanding of each topic An accessible writing style that puts the needed information right at the reader’s fingertips Tips to foster the attorney’s relationships with clients, opposing counsel, and the court

Fundamentals of Litigation for Paralegals, Eleventh Edition, provides a complete understanding of the entire litigation process--from the moment the client walks into the office, through trial and post-judgment, including settlements and alternative forms of resolution. Popular and widely respected, authors Maerowitz and Mauet present a clear and balanced treatment of litigation and accessible explanations of the rules. Well-suited to a wide range of teaching approaches, the timely Eleventh Edition reflects the practice of litigation today. New to the Eleventh Edition: Most current updates to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure New developments in e-Discovery and the use of social media integrated into the text Thoughtful revisions and streamlined text throughout Professors and students will benefit from: Thorough coverage of the entire litigation process A balanced and reader-friendly presentation Accessible and cogent discussion of rules and procedures A flexible organization that lends itself to a variety of teaching objectives A comprehensive design for learning that includes bold-faced key terms glossary examples visual aids checklists chapter overviews summaries review questions Realistic examples of motions, pleadings, and discovery requests in a litigation file appendix Short, edited cases in each chapter, with questions, for a follow-up discussion on key topics A companion electronic workbook, completely revised for this edition, with review questions, case scenarios, and practice forms

" This textbook on pretrial litigation reflects many significant recent developments. It incorporates the 2010 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure concerning expert witnesses and summary judgment, as well as the refashioning of pleading pursuant to Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly and Iqbal v. Ashcroft. The continuing evolution of electronic discovery law and practice is addressed through notes and exercises, including sections on civil actions in cyberspace (involving service, filing, and personal jurisdiction) and discovery in cyberspace (raising privilege, confidentiality, and other issues presented by electronically stored information)."--Publisher's website.

Disk contains six tort and contract case files from companion problem book, Materials in pretrial litigation.