Intro to Civil Trial Prep

When:  Sep 28, 2015 from 05:00 PM to 08:30 PM (ET)

This seminar provides an opportunity to learn both the rules and practical aspects of civil trial preparation from Kevin R. Gardner, Esq., an attorney with over 30 years of civil litigation experience and more than
25 years experience teaching civil practice as an adjunct professor at Rutgers and Seton Hall Law Schools. Mr. Gardner will share practical insights and tips to properly prepare your case for trial. You’ll gain an understanding of the procedures, techniques and strategies you need to know at this essential new nuts and bolts seminar. For each subject, the differences between the rules and practice in the United States District Court and Superior Court will be highlighted.

Learn everything you need to know to successfully handle basic civil litigation, including:
• Taking the case:
Client interviews; Evaluating the case; Retainer agreements and budgets; Client communications; and managing client expectations.
• Pre-Suit activities:
Litigation due diligence; Investigations; Evidence Preservation/Litigation holds; Witness interviews; Spoliation; Formal pre-suit discovery.
• Case planning:
Litigation strategies; Forum selection - Federal or State court?; and Litigation plans.
• Pleadings:
Pleading standards and requirements; Venue selection; Entire Controversy Doctrine; Complaints and Answers; Fictitious party practice; Removal; Crossclaims, Counterclaims and Third-party pleadings.
• Pre-Trial Discovery-Case management/scheduling:
Rule 16 conferences; Track assignments; Superior Court Best Practices; Scope of discovery; Protective orders; Formal discovery methods; Discovery limitations; Planning and sequencing discovery; Drafting effective discovery requests; Discovery of electronically stored information; Written discovery (interrogatories and document requests); Uniform interrogatories; Time for responses; Roles of client and lawyer in responding to discovery; Dealing with discovery defaults and non-responsive answers; Supplemental discovery; Depositions – discovery, de bene esse, and videotape; Depositions under Fed.R.Civ.P. 30(b)(6) and N.J.R. 4:14-2(c); Witness selection; Notice and scheduling; Preparing to depose; Deposition protocols;
Examination techniques; Handling exhibits; Dealing with objections; Witness preparation; Preserving privileges; Objections; Instructions not to answer; Witness conferences; Post Deposition procedures; Requests for admissions; Independent medical examinations; Discovery from non-parties.
• Expert Witnesses:
The role of expert witnesses; Expert qualifications; Finding and vetting experts; Retention practices; Working with experts; Report preparation; Expert discovery; Challenging
admissibility of expert testimony.
• Motions:
Practice and procedures; Notice periods; Short notice/emergent matters; Scheduling and
adjournments; Form and content of submissions; Establishing the factual record – Affidavits,
certifications and declarations; Effective brief writing: Opposition and reply submissions; Cross motions; Oral argument; Settling form of order; Consent orders; Specific motions: Pleadings - Challenging pleadings; Amending pleadings; Discovery - Discovery defaults; Extensions of discovery end date; Expert reports; Dispositive motions - Dismissal and Summary judgment; Timing and special requirements; Motions in limine.
• Alternate Dispute Resolution:
Mediation procedures and practices; Arbitration; De novo requests; Settlement conferences; Settlement negotiation strategies.
• Final pre-trial preparation:
Pre-trial conferences/orders; witness preparation; pre-trial submissions.



NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 3.9 hours of total CLE credit. Of these, 3.9 qualify as hours of credit towards certification in civil trial law.

Credits
NJ CLE: This program has been approved for 3.9 credits (50 minute hour)
PA CLE: 3.0 substantive credits pending ($12 fee – separate check payable to NJICLE must be submitted at the end of the program)
NY CLE (t&n/t): 2.0 practice management credits and 2.0 skills credits
Trial Attorney Certification: 3.9 civil credits pending

Door Registration: $180
More information

Location

1 Constitution Sq.
New Brunswick, NJ 08901