Litigation

Course Description

A broad-based overview of the various stages of the civil/criminal litigation process. Covers the complete litigation process starting from the initial filing of the criminal information and/or civil complaint, progressing through the client interview, motion and trial phase. Explores the process of court pleading and discovery, including interrogations, depositions and the voir dire process. Also covers heavy strategies and the role of the law office assistant. Students must demonstrate their legal knowledge and understanding of the material through the drafting of a civil complaint, accompanying forms, summons and depositions.

Learning Outcomes

• Describe the role of federal, California, and local rules of court applicable to the litigation process.
• Identify stages of the common law and statutory pleading process.
• Recognize and understand the role of motions, interrogatories, and other documents used in the discovery process.
• Explain the role of the litigation process in dispute resolution.
• Identify elements of and draft a simple complaint, motion, and interrogatory questions pertaining to a hypothetical case.
• Explain the need for rules of professional conduct and ethics by all professionals involved in the litigation process.
• Recognize the technological resources available to the legal professional involved in the litigation process.