Legal Research, Writing and Civil Litigation
United States Legal System – Judicial Structure
Legal Research
| Introduction and Separation of Powers |
| Federalism and the Difference Between the Federal and State Judicial Systems |
| Sources of Law |
Case Law |
| Introduction to Legal Research |
| Legal Research Sources |
| Legal Citation |
| Briefs, Legal Memoranda and Legal Writing |
| Cite Checking |
| Introduction to Post-Trial Practice |
| Post-Trial Motions |
| Enforcement of Judgments |
| Appeals |
| Class Action Lawsuits |
| Introduction; Jurisdiction Over the Parties or Things |
| Jurisdiction Over the Parties or Things – Personal Jurisdiction |
| Jurisdiction over the Parties or Things – In Rem Jurisdiction and Quasi In Rem Jurisdiction |
| Jurisdiction over the Subject Matter of the Action (Subject Matter Jurisdiction) |
| Jurisdiction over the Subject Matter of the Action (Subject Matter Jurisdiction) – Supplemental Jurisdiction |
| Venue – Introduction |
| Venue – State Actions |
| Venue – Federal Actions |
| Venue – Forum Non Conveniens |
| Venue – Removal to Federal Court |
| Erie Doctrine and Choice of Law – Introduction |
| Erie Doctrine and Choice of Law – History of the Erie Doctrine |
| Erie Doctrine and Choice of Law – Choice of Law |
| Introduction to Pre-Trial Practice |
| Summons, Complaint and Answer |
| Service of Process |
| Discovery and Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 11 |
| Pre-trial Motions Practice |
| Adding Parties and Claims |
| Res Judicata and Collateral Estoppel |
Trial Practice
Post-Trial Practice; Appeals; Class Actions
| Introduction to Trial Practice |
| Basic Trial, Jury Selection |
| Opening Statements, Burdens of Proof |
| Plaintiff’s Case-in-Chief; Motions Made After Plaintiff’s Case-in-Chief |
| Defendant’s Case-in-Chief; Motions Made After Defendant’s Case-in-Chief; Rebuttal and Surrebuttal |
| Close of Evidence; Closing Arguments; Jury Instructions; Jury Deliberations |
Legal Research and Writing