Rutgers Law

601:597. PRE-TRIAL ADVOCACY (2, 3 or 4) S

(S credit depending on instructor).

Blumberg, Finkelstein, Oxman, Robreno, Schneider, Shuster

Exclusion: Students may take only one of the following courses over the course of their time at the law school: Discovery & Pretrial Process, Litigation, Pretrial Advocacy, Medical Malpractice Litigation

The aim of this course is to help students develop pretrial litigation skills in the context of a realistic, simulated case.  This is a skills course that focuses on the practical application of the civil rules, decision-making, and judgment. Over the course of the semester, students will work through all pretrial phases of the case, culminating in a mock settlement conference. Students will experience a realistic “life cycle” of civil case from the moment the lawyer meets the client until the case is ready for trial. Among other practical litigation skills, you will learn to:  interview clients and witnesses; draft litigation-related correspondence; develop discovery plans; draft pleadings, discovery, and motions; prepare witnesses for depositions; take and defend depositions; argue orally in support of a motion; prepare pretrial memoranda; and engage in settlement negotiations. This is an introductory course for a student’s future development as a litigator and provides an excellent foundation for classes in litigation.