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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

I. Initial Client Contact

II. Case Assessment and Valuation

A. Weigh Costs and Benefits

B. Evaluate Client

C. Consider Ethical (RPC) Factors

D. Evaluate Fee Sources

III. After Assessment and Valuation

A. Initial Steps

B. Prepare for Case Conference

C. Consider Fee and Cost Arrangements

1. Preliminary Considerations

2. Factors in Selecting Fee Arrangement

3. Time-Based (Hourly-Rate) Billing

4. Contingency Fees

5. Retainers

6. Other Fee Arrangements

7. Costs and Expenses

D. Prepare to Formalize Attorney-Client Relationship

1. Preliminary Considerations

2. Ethical (RPC) Guidelines and Requirements

3. Draft Proposed Contract

a. In All Cases

b. In Hourly-Rate Billing Arrangements

c. In Contingency-Fee Arrangements

d. In Other Arrangements

IV. Case Conference

A. Overview

B. Information to Obtain

C. Information to Convey

V. Taking Over From Prior Counsel

Chapter 2

I. Investigation

A. Preliminary Considerations

B. Methods and Sources for Investigation

1. Preliminary Considerations

2. Witnesses

3. Documents

a. Preliminary Considerations

b. Types of Documents

i. Police Reports

ii. Tax Returns

iii. Wage Information

iv. Medical Records

v. Medical Bills

vi. Other Documents

4. Photographs and Videotapes

5. Prior Litigation Information

a. Preliminary Considerations

b. Previous Testimony

6. Identifying legal entities

C. Experts

D. Protecting the Results of Your Investigation

II. Pre-Suit Communications and Notices

A. Statutory Notice Requirements

1. Government Entities

2. Court of Claims

B. Communicating With Opposing Party

C. Protecting Your Fees

1. Lien on Claim

2. Retaining Lien

D. Communicating With Insurers

III. Litigation Planning

A. Pre-Filing Resolution

1. Negotiation

2. Alternative Dispute Resolution

B. Plaintiff’s Considerations

1. Legal Research

2. Parties

3. Causes of Action

4. When to File

5. Where to File

a. Personal Jurisdiction

b. State or Federal court?

c. Other Considerations

C. Defendant’s Considerations

IV. Pre-Suit Discovery

A. Identifying Potential Defendants

B. Preserving Testimony

Chapter 3

I. Overview

A. General Points

B. Sources of Law

C. Conditions Precedent Distinguished

D. Laches Distinguished

II. Calculating Limitations Period

A. General Points

B. When Limitation Period Begins: Accrual

1. General Points

2. Continuing Torts

3. Acknowledgment or Promise to Pay

C. When Period Expires: Filing Suit

1. General Points

2. Counterclaims, Amended Pleadings, New Defendants

D. Discovery Rule: Delays Accrual

III. Determining Applicable Limitations Period

A. Real Actions

1. Overview

2. Adverse Possession

3. Breach of Condition Subsequent

4. Termination of Estate Upon Limitation

5. Tax Matters or Enforcement of Judgments

6. Mortgages

7. 40-Year Statute

B. Personal Actions

1. Overview

2. Defamation

3. Personal Injury

4. Childhood Sexual Abuse

5. Loss of Consortium

6. Loss of Means of Support

7. Contribution and Indemnification

8. Unwritten Contracts and Other Indebtedness

9. Written Agreements

10. Medical Malpractice

11. Products Liability

a. Personal Injury

b. Property Damage

12. Construction Cases

13. Mechanics’ Liens

14. Accounting Malpractice

15. Legal Malpractice

16. Fraudulent Concealment

17. Railroads and Carriers

18. Contract to Make Will

19. Registered Land Surveyor

20. Trusts

21. Taxes

22. Dissolved Corporations

23. Survival Actions

24. Actions Against Insurance Companies

25. Workers’ Compensation Act

26. Federal Actions Without Limitations

27. Malicious Prosecution

28. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

29. Federal Employers’ Liability (FELA)

30. Administrative Review

31. Claim for Attorney Fees under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act

C. Governmental Agencies and Employees

D. Legislative Amendments

IV. Defenses to Failure to Comply With Statute

A. Waiver

B. Agreements Altering Limitations Period

C. Equitable Estoppel

V. Tolling Statutes

A. Party’s Capacity or Circumstances

B. Other Court Action

VI. Sanctions Under Supreme Court Rule 137 and 219

Chapter 6

I. Overview

A. General Points

B. Related Concepts

II. The Illinois Supreme Court

A. Organization

B. Jurisdiction

1. Original Jurisdiction

2. Appeals from Appellate Court

3. Direct Appeals from Circuit Courts

III. The Illinois Appellate Courts

A. Organization

B. Location

C. Jurisdiction

1. Appeal as of Right From Final Judgments of Circuit Courts

2. Final Judgments That Do not Dispose of Entire Proceeding

3. Interlocutory Appeals as of Right

4. Discretionary Review

IV. The Circuit Courts

V. The Court of Claims

VI. Administrative Tribunals

A. Industrial Commission

B. Illinois Commerce Commission

C. Human Rights Commission

VII. Federal Court Jurisdiction

A. General Points

B. Federal Question Jurisdiction

C. Diversity Jurisdiction

D. Supplemental Jurisdiction

Chapter 7

I. General Points

A. Basic Concepts

B. Related Concepts

II. Federal and State Due Process Requirements

A. General Points

B. Minimum Contacts

1. General Points

2. Purposeful Availment

3. Specific and General Jurisdiction

a. General Jurisdiction

b. Specific Jurisdiction

C. Fair Play and Substantial Justice

III. General (Unlimited) Jurisdiction [735 ILCS 5/2-209(b)]

A. General Points

B. Individuals

1. Domicile or Residence

2. Nonresident Served in Illinois

a. General Points

b. Exceptions

3. Nonresident Doing Business in Illinois

C. Corporations

1. Organization Under Illinois Law

2. Doing Business in Illinois

3. 3rd-Party Doing Illinois Business for Defendant

D. Partnerships and Partners

IV. Specific (Limited) Jurisdiction [735 ILCS 5/2-209(a), (c)]

A. General Points

B. Issues Regarding Specific Types of Defendants

C. Transacting Business or Contracting in Illinois

1. Transacting Business [735 ILCS 5/2-209(a)(1)]

2. Soliciting and Purchasing as Transacting Business

3. Contracts [735 ILCS 5/2-209(a)(7)]

D. Torts [735 ILCS 5/2-209(a)(2)]

1. General Points

2. Stream of Commerce Doctrine

E. Property Ownership, Use, or Possession

F. Marriage and Domestic Relation Cases

V. Jurisdiction Based on Consent

A. Forum Selection Clauses

B. Appearance

VI. In Rem and Quasi in Rem Jurisdiction

A. General Points

B. Federal Due-Process Limits

VII. Challenging Jurisdiction

A. Bringing Motion

B. Opposing Motion

C. Disposition

D. Appeal

Chapter 8

I. Overview

A. Nature of Venue

B. Significance of Venue

II. Determining Venue

A. General Venue Statute

1. Basic Rules

2. Defendant’s Residence

a. Individuals

b. Entities

3. Where Claim Accrued

B. Special Venue Statutes

1. General Points

2. Actions Involving Real Property

3. Statutes in Code of Civil Procedure

4. Other Special Venue Statutes

C. Venue Agreements (Forum Selection Clauses)

D. Government Entites

1. Special Statutes

2. Home County Privilege

III. Selecting and Designating Venue

A. Selecting

B. Designating

IV. Transfer from Improper to Proper Venue

A. General Points

B. Filing Deadlines and Waiver

C. Procedure

D. Appellate Review

E. Transfer Procedure

V. Change of Venue to Obtain Fair Trial

A. General Points

B. Procedure

VI. Forum Non Conveniens (FNC)

A. Nature of FNC

B. Factors

1. Balancing of Private and Public Interests

2. Plaintiff’s Right to Choose Forum

3. Application of Factors

C. Procedure

D. Appellate Review

E. Transfer or Dismissal

1. Transfer (Intrastate FNC)

2. Dismissal (Interstate FNC)

VII. Removal to Federal Court

A. Strategic Considerations

B. Grounds for Removal

C. Procedures for Removal

1. Notice of Removal

2. Who May Remove

3. Consent of Other Defendants

D. Time for Removal

1. Removal Based on Initial Pleading

2. Removal Based on Subsequent Developments

E. Remand to State Court

1. Motion to Remand

2. Hearing and Disposition

3. Sua Sponte Remand

4. Review

5. Costs and Attorney Fees

Chapter 9

I. Overview

II. Summons

A. Content

B. Time Limits for Issuance and Service

1. Issuance

2. Service

a. Diligence in Effecting Service Required

b. Defendant: Raising the Objection

c. Plaintiff: Responding to Objection

III. Service of Summons Within Illinois

A. Who May Serve Process

B. Service on Individuals

1. General Points

2. Personal Delivery

3. Abode Service

4. Service on Agents

5. Service Pursuant to Special Order

C. Private Corporations

D. Partners, Partnerships, and Unincorporated Associations

E. Public, Municipal, Governmental and Quasi-Municipal Corporations

IV. Service Outside Illinois

V. Substituted Service on Secretary of State

A. Corporations

B. Non-U.S. Defendants: Products Liability

C. Operators of Aircraft and Watercraft

D. Nonresident Motorists

VI. Service by Publication

VII. Waiver Of Service

VIII. Return and Proof of Service

A. Form and Content

B. Filing

C. Effect of Return

D. Failure to Make Return or Defective Return

IX. Challenging Service of Process

A. Procedure

B. Disposition

Chapter 12

I. General Points

II. Capacity to Sue, Be Sued, or Defend and Standing

A. Preliminary Considerations

B. Natural Persons: Death, Minority, Incompetency

1. Death

2. Minors

3. Mentally Incompetent Parties

4. Legal capacity

C. Estates and Trusts

1. Estates

2. Trusts

D. Business Entities

1. Corporations

2. Partnerships

3. joint ventures

4. Other Business Entities

E. Governmental Entities

F. Challenging Capacity

III. Joinder or Parties

A. Advantages and Disadvantages of Joining Parties

1. Advantages

2. Disadvantages

B. Parties Who May Be Joined

1. Plaintiffs

2. Defendants

C. Necessary Parties

D. Nonjoinder and Misjoinder

E. Addition of New Parties by Amendment

F. Misnomer

IV. Substitution

A. Change of Interest or Liability

B. Death of Party

C. Legal Disability

D. Trustees; Public Officers

E. Service on Substituted Parties

V. Interpleader

A. State Procedure

B. Personal Jurisdiction Over Adverse Claimants

C. Federal Interpleader

1. In General

2. Federal Rule Interpleader

3. Statutory Interpleader

VI. Intervention

A. General Points

B. Intervention as of Right

C. Permissive Intervention

D. Procedure for Intervention

VII. Third-Party Proceedings

A. Bringing In Third Party

B. Strategy

VIII. Unknown Parties

IX. Ficticious Names

X. Assignment and Subrogation

XI. Respondents in Discovery

XII. Class Actions

A. Nature and Purpose

B. Advantages and Disadvantages of Class Actions

C. Requirements for Class Actions

1. In General

2. Numerosity

3. Commonality

4. Fair and Adequate Representation

5. Fair and Efficient Method

D. Procedure for Class Actions

E. Class Certification

1. In General

2. Certification Motion

3. The Certification Hearing

4. The Certification Order

5. Notice to Class

6. Interlocutory Appeal

7. Post-Certification Developments

F. Trial

G. FINAL DISPOSITION

1. Settlement

2. Final Judgment

Chapter 13

I. Requirements for All Pleadings

A. Purpose and Function

B. Format

C. Drafting Rules and Techniques

D. Alternative Pleadings

E. Information and Belief Allegations

F. Verification

1. General Points

2. Verified Complaints

3. Verified Answers

II. Preparing and Filing the Complaint

A. In General

B. Purposes

C. Pitfalls

D. Contents

E. Exhibits

F. Conditions Precedent

G. Statute of Limitations

H. Jurisdiction

I. Before Drafting

J. Drafting the Complaint

K. Caption and Introductory Matters

L. Basic Facts of Complaint

M. Separation of Causes of Action

N. Prayer for Relief

1. Legal Requirements

2. Types of Relief

a. Damages

b. Declaratory Relief

c. Injunctive Relief

d. Class Actions

O. Certification by Party and Attorney

P. Attaching Documents

Q. Certificate of Merit Requirement in Medical Malpractice Complaints

R. Legal Malpractice—Liability Shifting

S. Elements of Specific Actions

III. Amending the Complaint

A. Legal Requirements

B. Adding Claims

C. Opposing Request

D. Response to Amended or New Complaint

IV. Preparing and Filing the Answer

A. Legal Requirements

B. Format

C. Organization

D. Responses to Specific Allegations

1. Admissions

2. Denials

a. Legal Requirements

b. Types of Denials

3. Denying Specific Types of Allegations

E. Affirmative Defenses

F. Common Defenses

1. To All Types of Claims

2. Contract Actions

3. Tort Actions

4. Pleading Requirements

5. Failure to Plead

a. Preliminary Considerations

b. Raising Defense in Amended Answer

6. Affirmative Defense Raised by Motion

G. Extension of Time to File Answer

V. Plaintiff’s Reply

VI. Counterclaims

A. Legal and Procedural Requirements

B. Related and Unrelated Counterclaims

C. Who May Counterclaim?

D. Statute of Limitations Issues

E. Procedure

1. Pleading

2. Service and Filing

F. Answer to a Counterclaim

Chapter 14

I. Overview

II. Preparing, Serving, and Filing the Motion

A. Formal Requirements

B. Essential Elements of Motion: Factual Basis, Law, Notice

1. Facts: Affidavits and Exhibits

2. Law: Drafting the Brief

a. Practice and Procedures

b. Summary of Argument

c. Factual Orientation

d. Citing Authority

e. Styles to Avoid

3. Notice: Serving the Motion

a. Notice Requirements

b. Procedural Requirements

4. Methods of Service

C. Filing the Motion Papers

III. Opposing the Motion

A. Preliminary Considerations

B. Cross-Motions

IV. Reply Brief

V. Hearing

A. Procedural Considerations

B. Challenging the Judge

1. Overview

2. Disqualifying Judge for Bias or Appearance of Impropriety

a. Preliminary Considerations

b. Personal Bias or Prejudice

c. Involvement in Case

d. Prior Representation

e. Interest of Judge or Family Member

f. Person Within Third Degree of Relationship

g. Alternative to Disqualification

h. Remedies for Judge’s Refusal to Disqualify Self

3. Substitution of Judge For Cause

4. Substitution of Judge as of Right

a. Preliminary Considerations

b. Substitution as of Right

C. Hearing Procedure

D. Motions That May Require an Evidentiary Hearing

E. Effective Oral Advocacy

VI. Emergency Motions

A. Preliminary Considerations

B. Grounds

C. Procedure

VII. Ex Parte Motions

VIII. Motions to Reconsider

A. Procedure

B. Grounds

C. Unfounded Motions

IX. Miscellaneous Types of Motions

A. Small Claims

B. Application to Sue or Defend as a Poor Person

X. Sanctions

XI. Voluntary Non-Suit

XII. Relief from Final Orders: 2-1401 Petitions

XIII. Post Judgment Motions

Chapter 15

I. Challenging Defective Pleadings (735 ILCS 5/2-615)

A. Nature and Purpose

B. Legal Requirements

C. Procedure

D. Motions to Dismiss and to Strike

1. Failure to State a Cause of Action

2. Failure to Plead an Essential Element

3. Nonjoinder of a Necessary Party

4. Improper Relief

E. Other Pleading Defects

F. Judgment on the Pleadings

II. Demanding a Bill of Particulars

III. Moving to Dismiss for Specified Defects and Defenses (735 ILCS 5/2-619)

A. Legal Requirements

B. Specific Grounds for 2-619 Motion

1. Lack of Subject Matter Jurisdiction

2. Lack of Legal Capacity

3. Another Action Pending

4. Barred By Prior Judgment

a. Res Judicata (Claim Preclusion)

b. Collateral Estoppel (Issue Preclusion)

5. Statute of Limitations

6. Release, Satisfaction, or Discharge in Bankruptcy

7. Statute of Frauds

8. Minority or Disability of Defendant

9. Other Affirmative Matter

C. Procedure

1. Preliminary Considerations

2. Waiver

3. Hearing

D. Governmental Immunities

E. Contribution Claim Among Joint Tortfeasors

IV. Combining Motions (735 ILCS 5/2-619.1)

V. Specific Claims and Their Requirements

A. Distributor’s Statute (Product Liability)

B. Medical Malpractice

C. Dismissal for Noninvolvement in Medical Malpractice

VI. Sanctions Under Supreme Court Rule 137 and 219

VII. Interlocutory Appeals by Permission

Chapter 16

I. Overview

II. Grounds for Temporary Injunctive Relief

III. Defenses to Temporary Injunctive Relief

IV. Actions for Temporary Injunctive Relief

A. Jurisdiction and Venue

B. Parties

C. TRO Procedure

1. Obtaining a TRO

2. Notice

3. Opposition to TRO

4. Hearing

5. Order

D. PI Procedure

1. Obtaining a PI

2. Notice

3. Opposition to PI

4. Hearing

5. Order

E. Bonds

V. Dissolution of TROs and PIs

VI. Appeal

A. TRO

B. PI

C. Standard of Review

VII. Damages for Wrongful Entry

VIII. Eenforcement of TROs and PIs

IX. Specific Subjects of Injunctive Actions

A. Restraint of Litigation

B. Property Rights

C. Restraint of Injury to Trade or Business

D. Corporations

E. Public Officers and Entities

F. Personal Rights

Chapter 20

I. Nature and Purpose of Discovery

II. Scope of Discovery

A. Basic Points

B. Discoverable Matters

C. Matters Outside Scope

1. Privileged Matter

2. Attorney Work Product

3. Other Matters

D. Special Scope Rules

1. Trial Preparation

a. Expert Witnesses

b. Materials

2. Type of Proceeding

3. Non-Party Witnesses

III. Planning

A. Planning Strategies

1. Basic Points

2. Establish Goals

3. Choosing Appropriate Discovery Devices

B. Sequence of Discovery

IV. Commencement and Timing

A. Commencing Discovery

B. Timing Factors

1. For Discovering Party

2. For Responding Party

V. Supervising and Compelling Discovery

A. Supervising Discovery

B. Compelling Discovery

VI. Stipulations

VII. Amending or Supplementing Responses

A. Legal Requirements

B. Procedure

VIII. Freedom of Information Requests

A. General Points

B. Procedure for Making Request

C. Appeal of Denial of Request

D. Judicial Recourse

Chapter 21

I. General Concepts

A. Overview

1. Definitions, Purposes

2. Creation, Duration, Remedies for Wrongful Disclosure

3. Impact on Discovery

4. Governing Law & Construction

B. Asserting a Privilege

C. Waiving a Privilege

1. Basic Points

2. By Whom

3. How

a. Intentional Disclosure

b. Implied Intent

c. Placing Privileged Matter at Issue

D. Compelling Disclosure

II. Attorney-Client Communications

A. General Points

B. Elements of a Privileged Communication

1. Must be a “Communication”

2. Must Be in the Course of Professional Employment

3. Must Be a Confidential Communication

a. Client; Attorney; Their Agents

b. Experts

c. Multiple Clients or Multiple Attorneys

C. Exceptions

III. Work Product

A. General Points

B. Elements of Work Product

1. Rule Requirements

2. Examples of Rule

IV. Self-Incrimination

A. General Points

B. Procedures

V. Trade Secrets

A. General Points

B. Relief

VI. Physician-Patient Communications

A. General Points

B. Elements

C. Procedures

VII. Therapist-Patient Communications

A. General Points

B. Communication Protected

C. Exceptions to Privilege

VIII. Medical Studies Privilege

IX. Husband and Wife

X. Rape Crisis Counselors-Victims

XI. Counselors of Violent Crime Victims

XII. Clergy-Practitioner Privilege

XIII. Reporter’s Privilege

XIV. Public Accountant’s Privilege

XV. Mental Records

XVI. Miscellaneous Privileges

Chapter 22

I. Party Document Requests

A. General Points

B. Using Requests With Other Discovery Tools

C. Steps to Obtain Documents

1. Prepare Requests

a. Form

b. Format

c. Substance

i. General Points

ii. By-Category Requests

2. Serve and File

3. Track Response

D. Responding to Request

1. Initial Steps

2. Time to Respond

3. Duty To Produce

4. Locate, Collect, and Examine Items

a. General Points

b. Locate Items

c. Collect Items

d. Examine Items

5. The Response

a. General Points

b. Format

c. Objections

i. General Points

ii. Specific Objections

d. Overbroad, Vague, or Ambiguous Requests

e. Protecting Confidential Information

f. Service and Filing

6. Prepare for Production

7. Supplementation of Responses

E. Inspection and Copying

F. Discovery Disputes

1. General Points

2. Motions

II. Nonparty Production

A. Overview

B. Deposition Subpoenas

1. General Points

2. How to Subpoena

3. Responding to Subpoena

III. Public Records

A. Overview and Strategies

B. Illinois Public Records

1. Authority & Exceptions

2. Procedure

C. Federal Public Records

1. Authority & Exceptions

2. Procedure

IV. Land and Other Things

Chapter 23

I. Overview

A. General Principles

B. Types of Depositions

II. Functions

A. General Points

B. Using Deposition at Trial

C. On Appeal or After Substitution, Dismissal, or Remand

D. Use in Conjunction With Other Discovery Devices

III. Taking a Deposition

A. Preparation

1. Procedure

a. Select Deponents

b. Choose Location

c. Schedule Deposition

d. Give Notice

i. General Points

ii. Notice to Party Deponents

iii. Subpoena Nonparty Deponents

e. Compelling Deponent to Attend and Answer Questions

f. Select Recording Method

g. Deposition Officer

h. Interpreters

2. Substantive Preparation

a. General Considerations

b. Prepare Outline

c. Organize Exhibits in Advance

d. Expert Witnesses

B. Conducting the Deposition

1. Getting Started

2. Review Document Requests

3. Examination and Cross-Examination

4. Suspending or Adjourning a Deposition

a. Suspending

b. Adjourning

5. Court’s Involvement

IV. Defending a Deposition

A. Respond to Notice (or Subpoena)

1. Objections to Notice

2. Document Production

3. Witness Designation

B. Preparation

1. Introduction

2. Guidelines for Witness

3. Guidelines for Experts

C. Conduct During Deposition

1. General Points

2. Objections

V. Preparing Transcript for Use at Trial

Chapter 24

I. General Points

A. Overview

B. Who Is Subject to Exam

1. Parties

2. Non-Parties

C. Preliminary Considerations

II. Logistics of Exams

A. Overview

B. Examiner

1. General Points

2. Challenging Discoverer’s Designee

C. Location

D. Time

E. Scope & Manner

F. Conditions

G. Costs

III. Requesting Exam

A. By Stipulation

B. By Motion

1. Threshold Requirements

a. Condition “in Controversy”

b. “Good cause” for Ordering Exam

2. Court’s Discretion (If Threshold Requirements Met)

3. Initiating Motion

a. Preliminary Issues

b. Motion Package

c. Service

IV. Preparing for and Conducting Exam

V. Subsequent Motions

VI. Report of Examining Physician

A. State Rule

B. Federal Rule

1. Examinee’s Option to Get Report

2. Effect of Exercising Option

Chapter 25

I. General Points

II. How to Use Interrogatories

A. General Points

B. Using Interrogatories With Other Discovery

C. Types of Interrogatories

III. Propounding Interrogatories

A. Format

B. Preliminary Parts

C. Drafting Techniques

D. Areas of Inquiry

1. General Points

2. Facts

3. Identity and Testimony of Witnesses

a. General Points

b. Lay Witnesses

c. Independent Experts

d. Controlled Experts

e. Reports of Controlled Experts

4. Documents

E. Service

IV. Responding to Interrogatories

A. General Points

B. Deadline for Answers

C. Service and Filing

D. Drafting Answers

1. General Points

2. Format

3. Certification of Responses

4. Dealing With Documents

5. Witness Interrogatories

6. Objections

a. General Points

b. Specific Objections

c. Dealing With Problem Requests

d. Protect Confidential Information

i. What Can Be Protected

ii. Protection Strategies

V. Supplemental Answers

A. General Points

B. Conditions and Procedures

VI. Motions

A. General Requirements and Procedures

B. Extend Time to Answer

C. Protective Order

D. Missing, Evasive, or Incomplete Answers

1. General Points

2. Motion to Compel

3. Motion for Sanctions

VII. Evidence Issues

A. Answers as Evidence

B. Excluding Evidence at Trial

Chapter 26

I. General Points

A. Overview

B. Scope of RFAs

II. How to Use RFAs

A. Use to Establish Claims and Defenses

B. Documents

C. Public Records

D. Use With Other Discovery Tools

III. Propounding RFAs

A. Drafting RFAs

1. Format

2. Techniques

B. Service and Filing

IV. Responding to RFAs

A. General Points

B. Response Deadline

C. Drafting Principles

1. Format

2. Responses

a. Substantive Answers

b. Objections

i. Basic Principles

ii. Specific Objections

V. Motions

A. General Points

B. Motions by RFA Propounder

1. Challenging Answer or Objection

2. Sanctions for Failure to Admit (Post-Trial)

C. Motions by RFA Respondent

1. Extend Time to Respond

2. Protective Order

3. Relief From Responses

VI. Use of Responses at Trial

A. Admission Into Evidence

B. Effect of Admissions

Chapter 27

I. Preliminary Considerations

A. Legal Authority

B. Continuing Problems

II. Preliminary Steps

III. Available Relief

IV. Discovery Motions

A. Preliminary Considerations

B. Compelling Discovery

1. Depositions

2. Other Discovery Methods

C. Obtaining Protection From Discovery

Chapter 30

I. Overview

A. Basic Points

B. Motions for Summary Judgment Distinguished From Other Motions

C. Advantages

D. Disadvantages

E. Evidence Overview

F. Strategies

II. Partial Summary Judgment

A. When Appropriate

B. Procedure

C. Effect of Partial Summary Judgment

III. Requirements for Summary Judgment

A. No Genuine Issue of Fact

1. Material Fact

2. “No Genuine Issue”

a. General Points

b. Inferences: Drawn to Create Dispute

c. Weighing Evidence: Not Allowed to Resolve Disputes

d. State of Mind

3. Issue of Law

B. Movant or Opponent Entitled to Judgment “as a Matter Of Law”

IV. Burdens on Summary Judgment—How to Meet Them

A. Movant’s Burden

B. Respondent’s Burden on Motion for Summary Judgment

V. Evidence

A. General Points

1. Evidence Considered in Motion for Summary Judgment

2. Examples of Improper Evidence

B. Affidavits

1. General Points

2. Expert Witnesses Affidavits

3. Preparing the Affidavit

a. Form and Content Requirements

b. Working With Affiants

c. Effective Drafting

C. Depositions

D. Interrogatory Answers

E. Request for Admission Responses

F. Pleadings and Judgments

G. Miscellaneous Methods of Establishing Facts

VI. Whether to Move for Summary Judgment

A. General Points

B. How to Decide

VII. Inititating a Motion for Summary Judgment

A. When to Move

B. Preparing the Motion for Summary Judgment

1. Motion

2. Brief In Support Of Motion

3. Affidavits

4. Additional Papers

C. Filing and Setting Hearing

D. Service

VIII. Response to Motion for Summary Judgment

A. General Points and Initial Steps

B. Prepare Papers And Evidence

C. If Material Facts are Unavailable

D. Cross-Motions

1. To Strike Evidence Proffered on a Summary Judgment Motion

a. General Points

b. What to Strike

c. Supporting Papers and Evidence

2. To Strike Summary Judgment As Untimely

3. To Amend Pleadings

4. Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment

E. Requesting Sanctions

F. Filing and Service of Response or Cross-Motion

IX. Reply to Response

A. Withdraw Motion

B. Contents of Reply Brief

C. Motion to Strike Material in Response

X. Response to Cross-Motion

XI. Oral Argument

A. In General

B. Effective Argument

XII. Decision and Disposition

A. Court’s Options

B. Procedure

XIII. Post-Decision Motions

A. Reconsideration

B. Successive Motions

XIV. Appeal

A. From Motion Granted

B. Summary Judgment on Some Claims

C. From Motion Denied

D. Standard of Review

Chapter 31

I. Default Judgment

A. In General

B. Default Judgment for Failure to Appear

1. In General

2. Amended Pleadings

3. Codefendants

4. Withdrawal of Appearance

5. Denial of Motion to Dismiss

C. Default Judgment as Discovery Sanction

D. Obtaining Default Judgment

1. Relief Available

a. Amount Sought in Complaint

b. Further Relief Available With Notice

2. Order of Default

3. Notice of Entry of Order of Default

4. Proof of Damages

E. Operation and Effect of Default Judgment

II. Vacating a Default Judgment

A. In General

B. § 1301 Relief

1. Bases for Relief

2. Time to Move

3. Motion to Vacate

4. Terms and Conditions

C. § 1401 Relief

1. Bases for Relief

a. In General

b. Meritorious Defense

c. Due Diligence in Trial Court

i. Party’s Lack of Diligence

ii. Mistake, Surprise, or Excusable Neglect of Counsel

iii. When Due Diligence Not Required

d. Due Diligence in Pursuing Petition

2. Procedure

a. Time to Move

b. Petition to Vacate

c. Service

d. Pre-Hearing Procedures

e. Hearing on Motion to Vacate

f. Order Granting Relief

D. Void Default Judgment

III. Attorney’s Responsibility in Default Situations

A. Preliminary Considerations

B. Notice to Professional Liability Carrier

IV. Dismissal for Want of Prosecution

A. Overview

B. When Entered

C. Vac