Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures, 4th edition

Published by Pearson (January 1, 2018) © 2019

  • Thomas F. Goldman Professor Emeritus, Bucks County Community College
  • Alice Hart Hughes

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For courses in civil litigation.

Multimedia introduction to civil litigation, from pre- to posttrial

Civil Litigation: Process and Procedures teaches students the skills they need to pursue a career in civil litigation, from the details of the litigation process to the work of paralegals to pretrial preparation and posttrial procedures. Throughout the text, the authors integrate video simulations and hands-on activities, some of which lead to the creation of documents students can include in a professional portfolio.

In addition to updated laws and procedures, the 4th Edition includes a new Virtual Law Office Experience preparing students to take on the tasks of a law office internship.

Hallmark features of this title

Clear presentation of litigation processes and procedures

  • A walkthrough of the entire litigation process demonstrates how each decision impacts a case.
  • Ethical Perspectives boxes and 16 ethics-related video case study segments build a strong foundation of ethics related to legal practice.
  • Video case studies built into the text illustrate each step of the litigation process as well as various scenarios.

Interactive, hands-on learning

  • Advice from the Field articles and video interviews present advice from experts. They cover issues such as interviewing, portfolio development, professional development, and handling clients.
  • End-of-chapter practice materials, continuing case studies and a comprehensive case study reflect activities of civil litigation professionals.

New and updated features of this title

A virtual and technology-based introduction to the law office

  • NEW: The new Virtual Law Office Experience with Case Study Videos is integrated throughout the text and simulates a law office internship. Students watch realistic video scenarios, work with case files and documents, use pertinent technology, and produce documents suitable for a professional portfolio.
  • NEW: Chapter introduction videos feature the authors providing an overview of the chapter.
  • UPDATED: The Technology Resources Website has been updated with the most recent trial versions of some of the most widely used software in the legal field.

Technology and legal matters in civil litigation

  • UPDATED: Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure and information on paralegal regulation have been updated.
  • UPDATED: Coverage of the newest electronic discovery rules prepares students to participate in modern, complex electronic discovery processes.
  • UPDATED: Exhibits and forms have been updated to reflect current practice.

PART 1: INTRODUCTION TO CIVIL LITIGATION
1. The Paralegal in Civil Litigation
1A. Appendix: Building Your Professional Portfolio and Reference Manual
2. Ethics and Professional Responsibility
3. Litigation Management and Technology

PART 2: PLANNING THE LITIGATION
4. The Court System, Settlement, and Alternative Dispute Resolution
5. Causes of Actions and Litigation Strategies
6. Evidence
7. Interviews and Investigation in Civil Litigation

PART 3: DOCUMENTS IN CIVIL LITIGATION
8. Pleadings: Complaint, Summons, and Service
9. Motions Practice
10. Pleadings: Responses to Complaint

PART 4: FORMAL DISCOVERY METHODS
11. Introduction to Discovery
12. Issues in Electronic Discovery
13. Interrogatories and Requests for Production
14. Depositions
15. Other Forms of Discovery

PART 5: TRIAL OF THE CASE
16. Trial Preparation -- Postdiscovery to Pretrial
17. Trial
18. The Electronic Courtroom and Trial Presentation

PART 6: POSTTRIAL ISSUES
19. Posttrial Procedures
20. Enforcement of Judgments

APPENDICES
1. Chapter Opening Case Study
2. Comprehensive Case Study: School Bus-Truck Accident Case Study
3. Supplemental Case Studies

About our authors

Thomas F. Goldman, JD, is an experienced trial attorney who has represented nationally known insurance companies and corporations. He developed the Advanced Litigation Support and Technology Certificate Program at Thomas Edison State College, where he was a member of the Paralegal Studies Program Advisory Board and a mentor. He is Professor Emeritus at Bucks County Community College, where he was a professor of Law and Management, Director of the Center for Legal Studies, and Director of the ABA-approved Paralegal Studies Program.

Professor Goldman is an author of textbooks in paralegal studies and technology, including The Paralegal Professional, in its 5th edition; Litigation Practice: E-Discovery and Technology; Accounting and Taxation for Paralegals; Technology in the Law Office, in its 4th edition; AbacusLaw: A Hands-On Tutorial and Guide; and SmartDraw: A Hands-On Tutorial and Guide. In addition, he is the executive producer of the Paralegal Professional video series, in which he occasionally appears.

An accounting and economics graduate of Boston University and of Temple University School of Law, Professor Goldman has an active international law, technology law and litigation practice. He has worked extensively with paralegals and has received the Boss of the Year award of the Legal Support Staff Guild. He was elected the Legal Secretaries Association Boss of the Year for his contribution to cooperative education by encouraging the use of paralegals and legal assistants in law offices. He also received the Bucks County Community College Alumni Association Professional Achievement Award.

He has been an educational consultant on technology to educational institutions and major corporations and a frequent speaker and lecturer on educational, legal and technology issues. He was appointed to the American Association for Paralegal Education Board of Directors in October 2005; there, he served as the founding Chair of the Technology Task Force, where he initiated the Train the Trainer program and the Cyber Idol competition.

Alice Hart Hughes, JD, is a practicing attorney and experienced litigator. She is a former adjunct professor of Paralegal Studies at Bucks County Community College, where she taught Civil Litigation, Legal Research and Writing, Accounting for Paralegals, Introduction to Paralegal Studies, Negligence, and Family Law. She is the author of Real Estate Law Fundamentals and participated in the production and script writing for the Video Law Office Experience. Mrs. Hughes holds a degree in real estate and finance from Temple University and graduated from Temple University School of Law.

She has practiced civil litigation extensively, working in midsized, multi-office law firms. Her practice is limited to estate planning, administration and litigation. In 2010, she was appointed to the Pennsylvania Board of Dentistry and lectures on ethical issues in the medical subspecialty of podiatry.

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