| Preface |
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xvi | |
| Acknowledgments |
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xxiii | |
| About the Authors |
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xxiv | |
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PART I INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL LITIGATION |
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Chapter 1 Litigation and the Paralegal |
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2 | (23) |
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3 | (1) |
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Introduction to Civil Litigation |
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3 | (1) |
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Legal Personnel and Civil Litigation |
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4 | (1) |
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Differences Between Criminal and Civil Cases |
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4 | (1) |
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4 | (1) |
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5 | (1) |
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An Overview of Civil Litigation |
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5 | (2) |
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6 | (1) |
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6 | (1) |
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7 | (1) |
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7 | (1) |
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Trial, Judgments, and Appeal |
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7 | (1) |
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7 | (2) |
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Alternatives and Limitations to Litigation |
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9 | (1) |
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Alternative Dispute Resolution |
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9 | (1) |
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Administrative Agency Hearings |
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9 | (1) |
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Legislative and Judicial Limitations |
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10 | (1) |
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The Law of Civil Litigation |
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10 | (3) |
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11 | (1) |
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12 | (1) |
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The Role of Technology in Litigation |
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13 | (1) |
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Technology and the Law Firm |
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13 | (1) |
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Technology and the Courts |
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13 | (1) |
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The Role of the Litigation Paralegal |
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14 | (2) |
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14 | (1) |
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Litigation Paralegal Job Description |
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15 | (1) |
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What a Litigation Paralegal Cannot Do |
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16 | (1) |
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Skills Required of the Litigation Paralegal |
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16 | (1) |
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Continuing Legal Education |
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17 | (1) |
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Professional Organizations |
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17 | (1) |
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Practical Tips for Success in the Law Firm |
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17 | (8) |
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Forms File---Invaluable Aid |
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17 | (1) |
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How to Build a Litigation Procedures Manual |
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18 | (7) |
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Chapter 2 The Courts and Jurisdiction |
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25 | (29) |
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26 | (1) |
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The Courts and Litigation |
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26 | (3) |
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27 | (1) |
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27 | (1) |
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28 | (1) |
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29 | (3) |
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30 | (1) |
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Miscellaneous Federal Trial Courts |
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30 | (1) |
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30 | (1) |
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30 | (2) |
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32 | (1) |
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The Courts and Technology |
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32 | (2) |
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34 | (1) |
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Subject Matter Jurisdiction |
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35 | (6) |
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Subject Matter Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts |
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35 | (2) |
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Exclusive versus Concurrent Jurisdiction |
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37 | (2) |
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Supplemental Jurisdiction |
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39 | (1) |
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Subject Matter Jurisdiction in the State Courts |
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39 | (2) |
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Challenging Subject Matter Jurisdiction |
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41 | (1) |
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41 | (3) |
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Jurisdiction over Plaintiff |
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41 | (1) |
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Jurisdiction over Defendant |
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41 | (3) |
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Challenging Personal Jurisdiction |
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44 | (1) |
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44 | (2) |
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Quasi in Rem Jurisdiction |
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45 | (1) |
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46 | (8) |
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46 | (2) |
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48 | (1) |
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48 | (6) |
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PART II INITIATING LITIGATION |
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Chapter 3 Preliminary Considerations and Procedures |
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54 | (27) |
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55 | (1) |
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Determining the Existence of a Cause of Action |
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55 | (5) |
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Feasibility of the Lawsuit |
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59 | (1) |
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59 | (1) |
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60 | (6) |
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60 | (2) |
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62 | (1) |
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63 | (1) |
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63 | (3) |
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66 | (4) |
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Competency to Handle the Case |
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66 | (1) |
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67 | (1) |
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67 | (1) |
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Communication with the Client |
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68 | (1) |
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Communication with the Opposing Party |
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69 | (1) |
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69 | (1) |
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70 | (1) |
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Attorney Fees and Ethical Considerations |
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70 | (4) |
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Property of Client---Trust Accounts |
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71 | (3) |
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Special Ethical Concerns for Paralegals |
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74 | (1) |
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74 | (7) |
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74 | (1) |
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75 | (6) |
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Chapter 4 Investigation and Evidence |
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81 | (26) |
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82 | (1) |
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82 | (8) |
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Preparing for the Initial Client Interview |
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83 | (2) |
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Develop Interview Questionnaires |
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85 | (1) |
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Gather Forms and Documents for Client Signature |
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85 | (3) |
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The Paralegal's Role in the Interview |
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88 | (1) |
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Interview Summary and Organization |
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88 | (1) |
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89 | (1) |
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Locating Fact Witnesses or Elusive Defendants |
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90 | (1) |
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Steps for Locating the Agent of Corporations or Partnerships |
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91 | (1) |
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Techniques for Interviewing Fact Witnesses |
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91 | (2) |
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93 | (7) |
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Direct Evidence versus Circumstantial Evidence |
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93 | (1) |
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93 | (2) |
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Federal Rules of Evidence |
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95 | (1) |
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95 | (1) |
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Evidence of Character and Habit |
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96 | (1) |
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96 | (1) |
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96 | (1) |
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97 | (1) |
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Scientific Evidence and Expert Witnesses |
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97 | (1) |
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97 | (1) |
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98 | (1) |
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Privileged Communications |
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99 | (1) |
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99 | (1) |
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Additional Resources Relating to Evidence |
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99 | (1) |
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Methods For Locating and Preserving Evidence |
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100 | (2) |
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100 | (1) |
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Evidence Control and Retrieval |
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101 | (1) |
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102 | (1) |
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102 | (1) |
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102 | (5) |
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107 | (37) |
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108 | (1) |
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The Nature and Purpose of Pleadings |
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108 | (1) |
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The Elements and Format of a Complaint |
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109 | (2) |
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Identifying and Describing the Parties |
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111 | (5) |
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111 | (1) |
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111 | (1) |
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112 | (1) |
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Parties and Fictitious Names |
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113 | (1) |
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114 | (1) |
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115 | (1) |
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116 | (1) |
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Alleging Jurisdiction and Venue |
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116 | (1) |
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Pleading the Cause of Action |
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117 | (1) |
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Alleging Multiple Counts or Causes of Action |
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117 | (1) |
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Multiple Parties and Causes of Action |
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118 | (1) |
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Request for Damages or Other Relief |
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118 | (2) |
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119 | (1) |
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119 | (1) |
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120 | (1) |
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120 | (8) |
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122 | (1) |
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122 | (3) |
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125 | (1) |
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125 | (1) |
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126 | (1) |
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126 | (1) |
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Disclosure Statement by Nongovernmental Corporate Party |
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126 | (1) |
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126 | (2) |
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128 | (1) |
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Electronic Filing (e-Filing) |
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129 | (2) |
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129 | (2) |
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131 | (1) |
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131 | (3) |
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134 | (4) |
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135 | (3) |
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138 | (6) |
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Chapter 6 Responses to the Complaint |
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144 | (29) |
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145 | (1) |
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Responding to the Complaint |
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145 | (4) |
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147 | (1) |
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Stipulations Enlarging Time |
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148 | (1) |
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Motions to Extend or Enlarge Time |
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148 | (1) |
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149 | (3) |
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150 | (1) |
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150 | (1) |
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150 | (1) |
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151 | (1) |
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152 | (6) |
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152 | (1) |
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153 | (2) |
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155 | (1) |
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155 | (2) |
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157 | (1) |
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158 | (1) |
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Counterclaims, Cross-Claims, and Third-Party Complaints |
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158 | (9) |
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158 | (1) |
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159 | (2) |
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161 | (3) |
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164 | (1) |
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164 | (3) |
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Legal Challenges to the Complaint |
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167 | (1) |
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167 | (6) |
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169 | (4) |
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Chapter 7 Motion Practice |
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173 | (21) |
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174 | (1) |
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174 | (1) |
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Preparing, Serving, and Responding |
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175 | (5) |
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Preparation of the Written Papers |
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175 | (2) |
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177 | (2) |
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179 | (1) |
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Court Procedures Involving Motions |
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180 | (2) |
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180 | (1) |
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181 | (1) |
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181 | (1) |
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182 | (1) |
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182 | (5) |
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182 | (3) |
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185 | (1) |
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186 | (1) |
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Preliminary Injunctions and Temporary Restraining Orders |
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187 | (7) |
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Chapter 8 Overview of the Discovery Process |
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194 | (42) |
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195 | (1) |
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196 | (14) |
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Developments Concerning Discovery |
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196 | (1) |
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Electronically Stored Information |
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196 | (1) |
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The Objectives of Discovery |
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197 | (1) |
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Preliminary Decisions Regarding Discovery |
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197 | (2) |
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Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure |
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199 | (11) |
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Ethical Considerations in Discovery |
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210 | (1) |
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The Extent of Allowable Discovery |
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210 | (12) |
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210 | (4) |
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214 | (8) |
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Duty of Mutual Disclosure Under Rule 26 |
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222 | (3) |
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222 | (1) |
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223 | (2) |
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225 | (1) |
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Cooperating With Discovery |
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225 | (11) |
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225 | (1) |
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225 | (11) |
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236 | (21) |
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237 | (1) |
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237 | (1) |
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Traditional and Electronic Depositions |
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238 | (3) |
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Traditional Oral Depositions |
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238 | (1) |
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Advantages of the Traditional Oral Deposition |
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239 | (1) |
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Disadvantages of the Traditional Oral Deposition |
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240 | (1) |
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240 | (1) |
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Advantages of the Electronic Deposition |
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240 | (1) |
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Disadvantages of the Electronic Deposition |
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241 | (1) |
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The Paralegal's Role Before the Oral Deposition |
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241 | (8) |
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Amendments to the Notice Requirements |
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242 | (2) |
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244 | (1) |
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Recent Amendments to Rule 45 Subpoena |
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244 | (1) |
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Preparation for the Deposition |
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245 | (4) |
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The Paralegal's Role During the Oral Deposition |
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249 | (1) |
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249 | (1) |
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249 | (1) |
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The Paralegal's Role after the Oral Deposition |
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250 | (3) |
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250 | (1) |
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251 | (2) |
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The Deposition Upon Written Questions |
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253 | (4) |
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Chapter 10 Interrogatories |
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257 | (23) |
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258 | (1) |
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259 | (1) |
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Scope and Number of Interrogatories |
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259 | (1) |
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Purposes of Interrogatories |
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260 | (1) |
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Advantages of Interrogatories |
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260 | (1) |
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Disadvantages of Interrogatories |
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260 | (1) |
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260 | (2) |
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The Use of ESI to Respond to Interrogatories |
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261 | (1) |
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The Downside of Electronically Stored Information |
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261 | (1) |
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262 | (9) |
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Preliminary Steps in Drafting Interrogatories |
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262 | (1) |
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Form and Content of Interrogatories |
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263 | (1) |
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Title of the Interrogatories and Introductory Paragraph |
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263 | (7) |
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270 | (1) |
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Drafting Answers to Interrogatories |
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271 | (9) |
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271 | (1) |
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Answering the Interrogatories |
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271 | (1) |
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Fulfilling the Duty to Supplement |
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272 | (1) |
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Objecting to Interrogatories |
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273 | (7) |
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Chapter 11 Physical and Mental Examinations |
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280 | (13) |
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281 | (1) |
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The Physical or Mental Examination |
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282 | (1) |
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Types of Cases Using Physical or Mental Examinations |
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282 | (1) |
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Reasons for Allowing Physical and Mental Examinations |
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282 | (1) |
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Filing a Motion for Compulsory Examination |
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283 | (1) |
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Requirements for Granting the Motion for Compulsory Examination |
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284 | (1) |
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284 | (1) |
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284 | (1) |
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Granting a Motion for Compulsory Examination |
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285 | (1) |
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The Paralegal's Role in Physical and Mental Examinations |
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285 | (8) |
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Arranging for the Examination of an Opposing Party |
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285 | (2) |
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Preparing the Client for an Examination |
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287 | (6) |
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Chapter 12 Request for Documents |
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293 | (42) |
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294 | (1) |
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The Request for Documents |
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295 | (7) |
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Recent Developments Concerning Mutual Disclosure of Documents |
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295 | (1) |
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Mutual Disclosures and ESI |
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295 | (1) |
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Alternative Methods of Requesting Documents |
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295 | (4) |
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Legal Holds and the Duty to Preserve Evidence Including ESI |
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299 | (1) |
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Preliminary Decisions Regarding Requests for Documents |
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300 | (1) |
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Approaches to Document Production |
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301 | (1) |
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ESI and the Document Request |
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302 | (7) |
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Document Production Requests and Computer Systems |
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302 | (1) |
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Document Production Requests and the Nature of ESI |
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303 | (3) |
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Document Production Requests and Storage of ESI |
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306 | (2) |
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The Expense Involved in the Retrieval of ESI |
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308 | (1) |
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Predictive Coding and the ESI Production Revolution |
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308 | (1) |
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309 | (3) |
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The Attorney--Client Privilege |
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309 | (1) |
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The Work Product Privilege |
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309 | (1) |
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310 | (1) |
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Overbroad and Duplicative Requests |
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310 | (1) |
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Inadmissible and Irrelevant Evidence |
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311 | (1) |
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Confidentiality Agreements and Protective Orders |
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311 | (1) |
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Format Objections to Document Requests |
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311 | (1) |
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Inadvertent Production of Documents |
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311 | (1) |
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Inadvertent Production of Electronically Stored Information |
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312 | (1) |
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Requesting the Production of Documents |
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312 | (5) |
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Form and Content of the Request |
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313 | (3) |
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Final Responsibility in Drafting the Request |
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316 | (1) |
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317 | (1) |
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Reviewing the Documents of the Opposing Party |
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317 | (1) |
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Responding to a Request for Documents |
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317 | (6) |
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Determining a Target Date |
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318 | (1) |
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Categorizing the Documents |
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318 | (1) |
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Involving the Client in Document Production |
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318 | (1) |
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Organizing the Document Production |
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319 | (4) |
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Organizing and Indexing the Documents after Production |
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323 | (1) |
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Organizing the Documents after Production |
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324 | (1) |
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Indexing the Documents after Production |
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324 | (1) |
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324 | (1) |
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325 | (1) |
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Responding to a Demand for Inspection |
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325 | (1) |
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ESI and On-site Inspections |
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325 | (1) |
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Reasons for the On-Site Inspection of a Computer System |
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325 | (1) |
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Procedures for the On-Site Inspection of a Computer System |
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326 | (9) |
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Chapter 13 Requests for Admission and the Future Ethical Problems of Discovery |
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335 | (21) |
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336 | (1) |
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Requests for Admission and the ETHICS of Discovery |
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336 | (3) |
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337 | (1) |
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Purposes of Requests for Admission |
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337 | (1) |
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Uses of Requests for Admission |
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337 | (2) |
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Advantages of Requests for Admission |
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339 | (1) |
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Drafting Requests for Admission |
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339 | (5) |
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Preliminary Steps in Drafting Requests for Admission |
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339 | (1) |
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Form and Content of Requests for Admission |
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340 | (4) |
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Responding to Requests for Admission |
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344 | (3) |
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Alternative Responses to Requests for Admission |
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345 | (1) |
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Objections to Requests for Admission |
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345 | (2) |
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Emerging Ethical Issues and the ESI Revolution |
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347 | (9) |
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Ethical Responsibilities Related to ESI |
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347 | (1) |
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The Ethics of Cloud Storage |
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347 | (1) |
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Positive Steps to Avoid ESI Pitfalls |
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348 | (8) |
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PART IV PRETRIAL, TRIAL, AND POSTTRIAL |
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Chapter 14 Settlements, Dismissals, and Alternative Dispute Resolution |
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356 | (25) |
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357 | (1) |
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357 | (3) |
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Initial Factors Involved in the Settlement Decision |
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358 | (1) |
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Preliminary Investigative Work |
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358 | (2) |
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360 | (5) |
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Settlement Summary and Settlement Letter |
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360 | (3) |
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363 | (1) |
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364 | (1) |
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Settlement Agreement and Release |
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365 | (4) |
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365 | (3) |
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368 | (1) |
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368 | (1) |
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Dismissal, Consent Decree, and Distribution of Funds |
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369 | (3) |
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370 | (2) |
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372 | (1) |
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Distribution of Settlement Funds |
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372 | (1) |
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Alternative Dispute Resolution |
|
|
372 | (9) |
|
|
|
372 | (1) |
|
|
|
373 | (8) |
|
Chapter 15 Trial Techniques |
|
|
381 | (45) |
|
|
|
382 | (1) |
|
Preliminary Preparation for Trial |
|
|
382 | (9) |
|
|
|
385 | (1) |
|
Litigation File Organization |
|
|
385 | (1) |
|
|
|
385 | (1) |
|
Motions at the Beginning of Trial |
|
|
385 | (1) |
|
|
|
386 | (5) |
|
|
|
391 | (5) |
|
|
|
391 | (3) |
|
Communicating with Witnesses |
|
|
394 | (1) |
|
Witness Preparation Meeting |
|
|
395 | (1) |
|
Preparation of Trial Exhibits and Briefs |
|
|
396 | (6) |
|
|
|
396 | (1) |
|
Researching for the Trial Brief |
|
|
397 | (5) |
|
Coordinating Trial Logistics |
|
|
402 | (2) |
|
Arranging for Accommodations |
|
|
403 | (1) |
|
|
|
403 | (1) |
|
Contacting Court Personnel |
|
|
403 | (1) |
|
Preliminary Steps in the Trial Process |
|
|
404 | (1) |
|
Decisions Regarding Jury Trials |
|
|
404 | (1) |
|
|
|
405 | (2) |
|
Preparing a Juror Profile |
|
|
406 | (1) |
|
Holding a Mock Jury Trial |
|
|
406 | (1) |
|
|
|
406 | (1) |
|
|
|
407 | (11) |
|
|
|
407 | (2) |
|
|
|
409 | (1) |
|
|
|
409 | (1) |
|
|
|
409 | (1) |
|
Characteristics of a Good Opening Statement |
|
|
410 | (2) |
|
The Presentation of Evidence |
|
|
412 | (1) |
|
The Plaintiff's Case-in-Chief |
|
|
412 | (1) |
|
The Defendant's Case-in-Chief |
|
|
413 | (1) |
|
The Presentation of Rebuttal Evidence |
|
|
414 | (1) |
|
|
|
414 | (2) |
|
Jury Deliberation and Verdicts |
|
|
416 | (1) |
|
|
|
417 | (1) |
|
Motions at the End of Trial |
|
|
418 | (1) |
|
The Paralegal's Role at Trial |
|
|
418 | (2) |
|
Ensuring the Presence of Witnesses |
|
|
418 | (1) |
|
Keeping Track of Exhibits |
|
|
419 | (1) |
|
Participating in Jury Selection |
|
|
419 | (1) |
|
Taking Notes during the Trial |
|
|
420 | (1) |
|
|
|
420 | (6) |
|
Laptop Computer with Presentation Software |
|
|
420 | (6) |
|
Chapter 16 Posttrial Practice |
|
|
426 | (24) |
|
|
|
427 | (1) |
|
Federal Rules Changes Regarding Calculating Due Dates in the Appeal Process |
|
|
427 | (1) |
|
|
|
428 | (1) |
|
|
|
428 | (2) |
|
Indicative Ruling and Remand to the District Court |
|
|
428 | (1) |
|
Preliminary Steps in the Appeal |
|
|
429 | (1) |
|
|
|
430 | (6) |
|
|
|
431 | (1) |
|
|
|
432 | (4) |
|
|
|
436 | (1) |
|
|
|
436 | (1) |
|
|
|
436 | (6) |
|
Drafting the Appellate Brief |
|
|
436 | (2) |
|
Appellant, Appellee, and Reply Briefs |
|
|
438 | (3) |
|
Filing and Service of Appellate Briefs |
|
|
441 | (1) |
|
Coordinating the Oral Argument |
|
|
442 | (1) |
|
Preparing for the Oral Argument |
|
|
442 | (1) |
|
Assisting at Oral Argument |
|
|
442 | (1) |
|
|
|
442 | (8) |
|
Further Appeal Procedures |
|
|
443 | (1) |
|
Posttrial Judgment Procedures |
|
|
443 | (7) |
| Appendix A Sample Deposition |
|
450 | (13) |
| Appendix B Bennett and Douglass Research Files |
|
463 | (25) |
| Appendix C Internet Web Sites |
|
488 | (2) |
| Glossary |
|
490 | (13) |
| Index |
|
503 | |
