PRL 405 - Litigation

(3 credits)

Students will learn the basics regarding civil discovery. Students will learn how to prepare and assist an attorney with trial. Students will learn discovery procedures such as conducting the initial client interview, initiating an investigation, filing a complaint, preparing interrogatories, and request for production of documents, depositions and medical examinations. They will learn the importance and roles experts and witnesses play during the discovery process. In addition, they will learn the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and certain State Civil procedure rules, including but not limited certain privileges regarding common law and statutory privileges against disclosure, marital privilege, the attorney-client privilege and the work-product doctrine. Students will have the opportunity to review the discovery rules, analyze case law and apply discovery procedures. Students will be taken through a hypothetical trial where they will learn practical skills used prior to and during trial.