MODERN CIVIL LITIGATION: PROBLEMS AND TACTICS (2) OR (3) (PRO200)

Professors Edward A. Purcell and Donald Zeigler

Explores problems and tactics involved in conducting modern civil litigation, particularly relatively large-scale cases, with special focus on the rules and practice in the federal courts. Topics typically include, with an emphasis on current developments, changing means of serving process, provisional remedies (attachment, TROs, and preliminary injunctions), new discovery rules and strategy, possibilities for shaping party structure (joinder, intervention, interpleader, third-party practice), pre-trial case management and conferencing, direct and collateral attacks on jurisdiction, strengths and weaknesses of class actions, jury instructions and verdicts, post-trial motions, dangers and opportunities created by prior or pending related litigations (res judicata, "duplicative" actions, judicial deference to other courts), standards of appellate review, and alternative dispute resolution.