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8212 - Pretrial Litigation
Professor: Anne E. Ralph
Semester: 2013 Spring
Second Writing Requirement? Yes
Seminar? No
Professional Responsibility? No
Prerequisites: Completion of first-year law
Course Description
This course will cover strategy and practical skills related to pre-trial litigation procedure, from the point of view of the practicing lawyer. The course will cover the life cycle of pre-trial litigation, including initial client contact related to a dispute, undertanding your client's objectives, developing legal strategy to vindicate your client's interests, creating a case theme and plan, understanding the purpose and goals of available pre-trial procedures and how they relate to trial and/or settlement strategy, drafting pleadings, effective written discovery and deposition practice, motion practice, interactions with opposing counsel and the court, client management, and continual case evaluation. Students will have the opportunity to participate in interactive exercises focused on strategy, technique, and substantive content. The class will be divided into several law firms to conduct pre-trial exercises. Students will be evaluated on participation, professionalism, and the quality of the body of work created during the course of the semester.
The course materials listed above are for informational purposes only and should not be considered final. Students must check with the Registrar for a current list of closed courses.
