California Civil Litigation

by LUTEN

• ISBN13: 9780314202284
• ISBN10: 0314202285
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-11-08
• Publisher: Thomson Delmar Learning

Summary

This book for paralegals is written specifically for California. It has been completely updated to include changes in the law over the past three years, revised exemplars, and new assignment sets. It covers federal and California state litigation chronologically from initiation of the suit through appeal.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxiii
Litigation Overview	1	(11)
The Sources of Procedural Requirements	2	(1)
The Litigation Process	2	(2)
The Three Essential Events of Litigation	4	(1)
Types of Paralegal Employers	4	(2)
Litigation Law Firms	4	(1)
Billing	4	(1)
Legal Structure	5	(1)
Law Firm Personnel	5	(1)
Types of Practice	5	(1)
The Role of the Litigation Paralegal	6	(1)
Paralegals Increase Quality of Practice	6	(1)
The Paralegal's Economic Role	6	(1)
Conclusion	7	(1)
Paralegal Job Description	8	(2)
Paralegal Evaluation Form	10	(1)
Discussion Questions	11	(1)
Ethics in Litigation	12	(17)
Rules of Professional Conduct	13	(4)
Unauthorized Practice	13	(1)
Advertising and Solicitation	14	(1)
Relationships Between Attorneys	14	(1)
Relationships with Clients	15	(1)
Terminating the Client Relationship	16	(1)
Financial Relationships with Clients	16	(1)
Advocacy and Representation	17	(1)
Voluntary Professional Guidelines	17	(1)
Conclusion	18	(1)
State Court Motion to Withdraw	19	(2)
Memorandum Supporting Motion to Withdraw	21	(2)
Declaration Supporting Motion to Withdraw	23	(2)
Proposed Order Permitting Withdrawal	25	(2)
Discussion Questions	27	(1)
Assignment	27	(2)
Initiating the Client Relationship	29	(22)
The Initial Contact	29	(1)
The Initial Interview	30	(2)
Meeting Firm Objectives	30	(1)
Meeting Client Objectives	31	(1)
Evaluating the Ethics of the Prospective Case	32	(2)
Assessing Merit	32	(1)
Conflicts of Interest	32	(1)
Conflicts Created by Paralegals	33	(1)
Attorney as Witness	33	(1)
Attorney Must Be Competent	34	(1)
Evaluating the Business Considerations of the Prospective Case	34	(1)
Evaluating Firm Interest in the Prospective Case	35	(1)
Contracting with the Client	35	(3)
Fees and Costs	35	(1)
Fee Agreements	36	(2)
Undertaking Representation	38	(1)
Conclusion	39	(1)
Contingency Fee Agreement	40	(2)
Hourly Fee Agreement	42	(3)
Sample Bill	45	(1)
Sample Timesheet	46	(1)
Notice of Lien	47	(1)
Substitution of Attorneys	48	(1)
Discussion Questions	49	(1)
Assignments	49	(2)
Courts in California	51	(8)
Substantive Versus Procedural Laws	52	(1)
Federal Courts in California	53	(1)
California State Courts	54	(2)
Municipal and Justice Courts	55	(1)
Superior Courts	55	(1)
Courts of Appeal	56	(1)
Supreme Court	56	(1)
Conclusion	56	(1)
Court System Diagram	57	(1)
Discussion Questions	58	(1)
Assignment	58	(1)
Subject Matter Jurisdiction	59	(10)
Subject Matter Jurisdiction in Federal Courts	60	(1)
Diversity Jurisdiction	60	(1)
Federal and State Subject Matter Jurisdiction Compared	61	(1)
Subject Matter Jurisdiction of California State Courts	61	(3)
Determining the Amount in Controversy	62	(1)
Amount in Controversy	62	(1)
Effect of Joinder on Amounts in Controversy	63	(1)
Exclusive and Concurrent Jurisdiction Between Federal and State Courts	64	(1)
Conclusion	65	(1)
Notice of Removal	66	(2)
Discussion Questions	68	(1)
Assignment	68	(1)
Personal Jurisdiction	69	(20)
Types of Personal Jurisdiction	70	(1)
In Personam Jurisdiction	70	(1)
In Rem Jurisdiction	71	(1)
Quasi in Rem Jurisdiction	71	(1)
Analyzing Personal Jurisdiction	71	(1)
Asserting Personal Jurisdiction	72	(2)
Asserting in Personam Personal Jurisdiction Through Consent	73	(1)
Asserting in Personam Personal Jurisdiction Through Minimum Contacts	73	(1)
General and Limited Jurisdiction	74	(1)
Challenging Personal Jurisdiction	75	(1)
Forum non conveniens	76	(1)
Venue	76	(2)
Local and Transitory Actions	77	(1)
Conclusion	78	(1)
Motion to Transfer Action	79	(8)
Discussion Questions	87	(1)
Assignment	87	(2)
Introduction to Pleadings	89	(7)
Causes of Action	90	(1)
Types of Pleadings	90	(1)
Affirmative Claims for Relief by Defendants	91	(1)
Real Parties in Interest	91	(1)
Capacity	92	(1)
Joinder	93	(1)
Conclusion	94	(1)
Discussion Questions	95	(1)
Assignment	95	(1)
Complaints and Cross-Complaints	96	(37)
Complaints in State Courts	96	(4)
The Caption	97	(1)
Naming the Parties	98	(1)
Naming ``Doe'' Defendants	98	(2)
The Allegations	100	(5)
Drafting Allegations	100	(1)
Pleading Devices	101	(2)
Pleading with Particularity	103	(1)
The Prayer	103	(1)
Subscription and Verification	104	(1)
Service of Summons for State Court Complaints	105	(4)
Methods of Service	106	(1)
Cross-Complainnts	107	(1)
Official Form Pleading	108	(1)
Pleading in Federal Courts	109	(2)
Notice Pleading Versus Fact Pleading	109	(1)
Joinder	109	(1)
Venue and forum Non Conveniens	109	(1)
Drafting Pleadings in Federal Court	110	(1)
Local Rules	110	(1)
Form Books and Drafting Tips	111	(1)
Conclusion	111	(1)
Superior Court Complaint	112	(5)
Form Pleadings	117	(7)
Federal Court Copmlaint	124	(4)
State Court Summons	128	(2)
Notice and Acknowledgment	130	(1)
Discussion Questions	131	(1)
Assignment	131	(2)
Answering the Complaint	133	(14)
Answering a State Court Complaint	133	(3)
Denials to State Court Complaints	134	(1)
Affirmative Defenses	135	(1)
Drafting Affirmative Defenses	136	(1)
Forms of Answers in State Court	136	(1)
Answering a Federal Court Complaint	137	(1)
Conclusion	137	(1)
Answer to State Court Cross-Complaint	138	(3)
General Denial to State Court Complaint	141	(2)
Form Answer	143	(2)
Form General Denial	145	(1)
Discussion Questions	146	(1)
Assignment	146	(1)
Attacking the Pleadings	147	(15)
Attacking the Pleadings in State Court	147	(4)
Strategic Reasons to Attack the Pleadings	148	(1)
Demurrers and Motions for Judgment on the Pleadings	148	(1)
General Demurrers	149	(1)
Special Demurrers	150	(1)
Demurrer Procedures	150	(1)
Motions to Strike	151	(1)
Attacking the Pleadings in Federal Court	151	(1)
Conclusion	152	(1)
Demurrer and Motion to Strike State Court Complaint	153	(6)
Motion to Dismiss Federal Court Complaint	159	(2)
Discussion Questions	161	(1)
Assignment	161	(1)
Amending the Pleadings	162	(7)
Amending State Court Pleadings	162	(3)
Amending by Right	162	(1)
Amending by Leave of Court	163	(1)
Considerations of the Court Granting Leave	164	(1)
Relation Back Doctrine	165	(1)
Amending Pleadings in Federal Court	165	(1)
Conclusion	166	(1)
Notice of Motion for Leave to Amend Complaint	167	(1)
Discussion Questions	168	(1)
Assignment	168	(1)
Calendaring Pleadings	169	(14)
Basic Calendar Rules	170	(1)
Calendaring in State Court	171	(3)
Statutes of Limitations	171	(1)
Dismissal Statutes	172	(1)
Deadlines for Responses to Pleadings	172	(1)
Calendaring Demurrers	173	(1)
Calendaring Motions to Quash	173	(1)
Calendaring in Federal Court	174	(1)
Failure to Prosecute	174	(1)
Responding to Pleadings	175	(1)
California Trial Delay Reduction Act	175	(1)
Background	175	(1)
Sample Calendaring Problems	176	(2)
Sample Calendar	178	(1)
Conclusion	178	(1)
Calendaring Calendar for Computing Days	179	(1)
Proof of Service	180	(1)
Discussion Questions	181	(1)
Assignment	181	(1)
Sample Calendar	182	(1)
Discovery Overview	183	(14)
The Purpose of Discovery	184	(1)
Improving Presentation of Trial Evidence	184	(1)
Focusing on Issues	184	(1)
Eliminating Surprise at Trial	184	(1)
The Disadvantages of Discovery	185	(1)
Expense of Discovery	185	(1)
Discovery Disputes	185	(1)
Educating the Opposition	186	(1)
Overview of Discovery Tools	186	(2)
Discovery Plans	188	(1)
The Goals of a Discovery Plan	188	(1)
Limits to Discovery	189	(4)
Scope of Permissible Discovery	189	(1)
Privileges	190	(1)
Attorney-Client Privilege	190	(1)
Attorney-Workproduct Privilege	191	(1)
Limitations on the Timing and Quantity of Discovery in State Court	191	(1)
Limitations on Discovery in Federal Court	192	(1)
Conclusion	193	(1)
Discovery Plan	194	(2)
Discussion Questions	196	(1)
Assignment	196	(1)
Interrogatories	197	(30)
Advantages of Interrogatories	197	(1)
Disadvantages of Interrogatories	198	(1)
Interrogatories for State Court Practice	198	(4)
Caption	198	(1)
Format	199	(1)
Form of Questions	199	(1)
Limitations on the Numbers of Interrogatories	200	(1)
Exceeding the ``Rule of Thirty-Five''	201	(1)
Subscription and Service	202	(1)
Interrogatories for Federal Court Practice	202	(1)
Types of Interrogatories	202	(2)
Contention Interrogatories	202	(1)
Fact Interrogatories	203	(1)
Interrogatories to Identify Documents	204	(1)
Drafting Interrogatories	204	(1)
Responding to Interrogatories	204	(1)
Protective Order	204	(1)
Responses to Interrogatories	204	(1)
Failure to Respond	205	(1)
Responding to Interrogatories	205	(2)
Identifying Objectionable Interrogatories	205	(1)
Proper Interrogatory Objections	205	(1)
Improper Objections	206	(1)
Drafting Responses to Interrogatories	207	(1)
Challenges to Responses	207	(1)
Motion to Compel Further Answers	207	(1)
Motion to Compel Answers	208	(1)
Conclusion	208	(1)
Official Form Interrogatories	209	(8)
Superior Court Interrogatories	217	(2)
Federal Court Interrogatories	219	(2)
Federal Court Responses to Interrogatories	221	(3)
Discussion Questions	224	(1)
Assignment	224	(3)
Depositions	227	(24)
Advantages of Depositions	227	(1)
Disadvantages of Depositions	228	(1)
Basic Deposition Rules	228	(1)
Timing	228	(1)
Deponents	229	(1)
Types of Depositions	229	(1)
Party Depositions in State Court	229	(1)
Third-Party Depositions in State Court	230	(1)
Party and Third-Party Depositions in Federal Court	231	(1)
Personal and Consumer Records	232	(1)
Deposition Procedures	232	(2)
Role of the Paralegal	234	(2)
Preparing for the Deposition	234	(1)
Deposition Outlines	234	(1)
Preparing Deponents	235	(1)
Deposition Summaries	236	(1)
Conclusion	237	(1)
Deposition Subpoena	238	(2)
Deposition Subpoena: Business Records	240	(1)
Notice of Deposition with Documents	241	(2)
Notice that Consumer Records Are Sought	243	(2)
Table of Contents Deposition Summary	245	(1)
Narrative Deposition Summary	246	(1)
Chronological Deposition Summary	247	(1)
Topic Deposition Summary	248	(1)
Topic Index Deposition Summary	249	(1)
Discussion Questions	250	(1)
Assignments	250	(1)
Requests for Admissions	251	(12)
Format for Requests for Admissions	252	(1)
Drafting Requests for Admissions	253	(1)
Responding to Requests for Admissions	254	(1)
Failure to Respond Properly	255	(1)
Failure to Respond Properly in State Court Cases	255	(1)
Failure to Respond Properly in Federal Court Cases	255	(1)
Conclusion	256	(1)
Official Form Request for Admissions	257	(1)
Superior Court Requests for Admissions	258	(2)
Federal Court Response to Requests for Admissions	260	(2)
Discussion Questions	262	(1)
Assignment	262	(1)
Obtaining and Using Tangible Evidence	263	(12)
Demand Format	264	(1)
Timing Requests to Inspect	264	(1)
Response to Demand for Inspection	265	(1)
Enforcing the Demand	266	(1)
The Production	266	(1)
Role of the Paralegal in Inspection Demands	267	(1)
Organizing and Analyzing Documentary Evidence	267	(2)
Conclusion	269	(1)
Superior Court Request for Inspection	270	(2)
Federal Court Response to Request for Inspection	272	(2)
Discussion Questions	274	(1)
Assignment	274	(1)
Independent Medical Examinations	275	(9)
State Court IMES	276	(3)
The Physical IME Demand	277	(1)
The Physical IME Response	277	(1)
The Physical IME Report	278	(1)
The Mental IME	279	(1)
Other IMEs in State Court Actions	279	(1)
Federal Court IMES	279	(1)
The Paralegal's Role in IMES	280	(1)
Conclusion	280	(1)
IME Client Instructions	281	(1)
Superior Court Request for IME	282	(1)
Discussion Questions	283	(1)
Assignment	283	(1)
Using Expert Witnesses and Expert Discovery	284	(11)
Expert Discovery in State Court	285	(3)
Demand for Expert Exchange	286	(1)
The Response to Demand for Exchange	286	(1)
Late-Disclosed Experts	287	(1)
Expert Discovery in Federal Court	288	(1)
Expert Depositions	288	(2)
Expert Depositions in State Court	288	(2)
Conclusion	290	(1)
Superior Court Demand to Exchange Expert Lists	291	(1)
Superior Court Expert Disclosure	292	(2)
Discussion Questions	294	(1)
Assignment	294	(1)
Calendaring Discovery	295	(9)
Limiting Discovery	295	(1)
Calendaring Discovery Tools	296	(2)
Interrogatories	296	(1)
Depositions	296	(1)
Requests for Admissions	297	(1)
Demands for Inspection	297	(1)
Independent Medical Examinations	298	(1)
Expert Witness Disclosure	298	(1)
Sample Discovery Calendaring Problems	298	(4)
Sample Calendar	302	(1)
Conclusion	303	(1)
Discussion Questions	303	(1)
Assignment	303	(1)
Law and Motion	304	(33)
Law and Motion Courts	304	(1)
Motions	305	(1)
General Caption and Format Rules	306	(1)
Captions	306	(1)
Scheduling the Motion	307	(1)
Preparing for Filing	307	(1)
Motion Structure	307	(4)
Notice	308	(1)
Memorandum of Points and Authorities	308	(1)
Supporting Evidence	309	(1)
Argument	310	(1)
Proposed Orders	311	(1)
Service and Filing	311	(1)
Opposing Motions	311	(1)
Replying to the Opposition	312	(1)
Tentative Rulings	312	(1)
Law and Motion Hearings	313	(1)
Orders of the Court	313	(1)
Sanctions	314	(1)
Ex Parte Motions	315	(2)
Form and Format of Ex Parte Motions	316	(1)
Ex Parte Orders	316	(1)
Paralegals and Ex Parte Motions	317	(1)
Specific Types of Motions	317	(1)
Amending Pleadings	317	(1)
Discovery Motions	318	(1)
Motions for Reconsideration and Renewing Motions	318	(1)
Conclusion	319	(1)
Superior Court Notice of Motion	320	(2)
Superior Court Memorandum of Points and Authorities	322	(3)
Superior Court Supporting Declaration	325	(2)
Superior Court Proposed Order	327	(2)
Superior Court Separate Statement of Deposition Questions in Dispute	329	(2)
Superior Court Proof of Service of Moving Papers	331	(1)
Superior Court Official Form Fax Cover Sheet	332	(1)
Discussion Questions	333	(1)
Assignment	333	(4)
Summary Judgment	337	(25)
Grounds for Summary Judgment	338	(1)
Summary Adjudication	339	(1)
Advantages and Disadvantages of Summary Judgment	339	(1)
Form and Format of Summary Judgment Motions	340	(2)
Timing Limitations	340	(1)
Notice Requirements	341	(1)
Noticing the Motion	341	(1)
Memorandum of Points and Authorities	342	(1)
Supporting Evidence	342	(2)
Declarations	342	(1)
Admissions and Discovery Responses	343	(1)
Documentary Evidence	343	(1)
Judicial Notice	344	(1)
Separate Statement of Undisputed Fact	344
Opposing Motions for Summary Judgment and Summary Adjudication	334	(1)
Replying to the Opposition	335	(1)
Orders	335	(11)
Conclusion	346	(1)
Superior Court Notice of Summary Judgment Motion	347	(2)
Statment of Undisputed Material Facts	349	(3)
Points and Authorities in Support of Summary Judgment	352	(3)
Declaration in Support of Summary Judgment	355	(2)
Proposed Order for Summary Judgment	357	(2)
Discussion Questions	359	(1)
Assignment	359	(3)
Trial-Setting Procedures	362	(17)
Trial-Setting Procedures in State Court	362	(6)
Filing an At-Issue Memorandum	363	(1)
Form and Format	363	(1)
Completing the Form	364	(1)
When Determining the Case is at Issue	364	(1)
Case Management	365	(1)
Motions for Preference	365	(1)
Mandatory Settlement Conference	365	(2)
Voluntary Settlement Conference	367	(1)
CCP Section 998	367	(1)
Partial Settlements	368	(1)
Trial-Setting Procedures in Federal Court	368	(1)
Initial Status Conferences	369	(1)
Pretrial Conferences	369	(1)
Settlements	369	(1)
Conclusion	369	(1)
Request for Dismissal	370	(1)
Superior Court CCP Section 998 Offer	371	(1)
Federal Court FRCP Rule 68 Demand for Judgment	372	(1)
Stipulation and Request for Dismissal	373	(1)
Settlement Agreement and Release	374	(3)
Discussion Questions	377	(1)
Assignment	377	(2)
Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution	379	(11)
Alternative Dispute Resolution	379	(2)
Voluntary Nonjudicial Arbitration	381	(1)
Appeals from Nonjudicial Arbitration	381	(1)
Judicial Arbitration	382	(3)
Assignment to Arbitration	382	(1)
Assignment of an Arbitrator	383	(1)
The Arbitration	383	(1)
The Arbitration Award	384	(1)
Trial De Novo	384	(1)
Conclusion	385	(1)
Notice of Evidence to Be Offered at Arbitration	386	(1)
Declaration Re: Evidence for Arbitration	387	(2)
Discussion Questions	389	(1)
Assignment	389	(1)
Trial Preparation	390	(17)
Anticipating the Trial Date	391	(1)
The Trial Strategy Memorandum	391	(1)
Four Stages of Trial Preparation	392	(1)
Reviewing Existing Workproduct	392	(3)
Document Organization	393	(1)
Workproduct Review	394	(1)
Deposition Summaries	394	(1)
Legal memoranda	395	(1)
Creating New Workproduct for Trial Use	395	(3)
Witness-Related Workproduct	395	(1)
Tangible Evidence	396	(1)
Demonstrative Evidence	397	(1)
Compelling Attendance of Witness and Production of Evidence at Trial	398	(1)
Jury Fees	399	(1)
Preparation of the Trial Book	400	(1)
Conclusion	401	(1)
Superior Court Trial Preparation Calendar	402	(1)
Jury Chart	403	(1)
Exhibit Foundation/Admission Form	404	(1)
Witness Examination Outline Format	405	(1)
Discussion Questions	406	(1)
Assignment	406	(1)
Trial Procedures	407	(15)
Assignment to Trial Department	407	(1)
``Trailing'' for Trial	408	(1)
Challenging the Trial Judge	408	(1)
Peremptory Challenges of State Court Judges	409	(1)
CCP Section 170.6 Challenges in Master Calendar Jurisdictions	409	(1)
CCP Section 170.6 Challenges in Direct Calendar Jurisdictions	410	(1)
Challenging the Trial Judge for Cause	410	(1)
State Court Challenges for Cause	410	(1)
Federal Court Challenges for Cause	410	(1)
Recusal	410	(1)
Pretrial Conference	411	(2)
Pretrial Conferences in Master Calendar Jurisdictions	411	(1)
Pretrial Conferences in Direct Calendar Jurisdictions	412	(1)
Pretrial Conferences in Federal Court	412	(1)
Pretrial Conferences for Bench Trials	412	(1)
Issues for Pretrial Resolution	413	(2)
Motions in Limine	413	(1)
Jury Instructions	413	(2)
Jury Selection	415	(1)
The Trial	416	(1)
Concluding the Trial	417	(1)
Conclusion	418	(1)
Sample Jury Instruction	419	(1)
Exhibit Admission Form	420	(1)
Discussion Questions	421	(1)
Assignment	421	(1)
Judgments and Post-Trial Motions	422	(17)
The Judgment in State Court	422	(1)
Post-Trial Motions in State Court	423	(4)
Motions for Fees and Costs	423	(1)
Motion for Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict	424	(1)
Motions for New Trial and to Vacate the Judgment	425	(1)
Considering Post-Trial Motions	426	(1)
Form and Format of Post-Trial Motions	426	(1)
Post-Trial Motions in Federal Court	427	(1)
Conclusion	428	(1)
Notice of Entry of Superior Court Judgment	429	(1)
Superior Court Judgment	430	(2)
Superior Court Judicial Form Memorandum of Costs (Worksheet)	432	(4)
Superior Court Judicial Form Memorandum of Costs (Summary)	436	(2)
Discussion Questions	438	(1)
Assignment	438	(1)
Appelas	439	(15)
Standards of Review	440	(1)
Appeals from Superior Trial Courts	441	(6)
Appeal Bonds	441	(1)
The Notice of Appeal	441	(1)
Preparing the Record	442	(1)
Notice to Prepare Reporter's Transcript	443	(1)
Preparing the Clerk's Transcript	444	(1)
Briefing the Appeal	445	(1)
Form and Format	445	(2)
Appeals from Municipal Trial Courts	447	(1)
Petition for Review by the California Supreme Court	447	(1)
Appeals from the Federal District Courts	448	(2)
Record on Appeal	448	(1)
Presenting the Appeal	449	(1)
Appeal to the United States supreme Court	450	(1)
Conclusion	450	(1)
Notice of Appeal from Superior Court Judgment	451	(1)
Notice to Prepare Superior Court Transcript	452	(1)
Discussion Questions	453	(1)
Assignment	453	(1)
Provisional Remedies and Extraordinary Writs	454
Provisional Remedies	454	(5)
Injunctions	455	(2)
Receiverships	457	(1)
Claim and Delivery	458	(1)
Attachment	458	(1)
Extraordinary Writs	459	(1)
Writ of Mandamus	459	(1)
Writ of Administrative Mandamus	459	(1)
Writ of Prohibition	460	(1)
Writ of Certiorari	460	(1)
Conclusion	460	(1)
Federal Court Temporary Restraining Order and Order to Show Cause	461	(2)
Superior Court Official Form Notice of Application for Writ of Attachment	463	(2)
Superior Court Official Form Application for Writ of Attachment	465	(3)
Superior Court Judicial Form Writ of Attachment	468	(1)
Superior Court Petition for Writ of Administrative Mandate	469	(4)
Discussion Questions	473	(1)
Assignment	473
Glossary	G-1
Appendix	A-1
Index	I-1