This course is designed for students who will be practicing civil litigation. The course provides a “real world” overview of how pretrial civil litigation is conducted and explores how lawyers strategically use each step in the pretrial litigation process to advance their clients’ interests. The course also provides students with skills-based training in case analysis, depositions, motion practice and negotiation. These skills are taught through a combination of lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and simulated role-playing exercises. Simulations are videotaped and critiqued by the instructor.

This course will be graded on a P/U/NC basis.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

1) Conduct efficient client interviews;

2) Competently conduct legal research;

3) Draft pleadings;

4) Utilize discovery including depositions to develop the factual record;

5) Draft compelling persuasive legal briefs;

6) Orally advocate on behalf of clients;

7) Negotiate on behalf of clients; and

8) Draft settlement agreements.