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Learn the Basics of Pretrial Litigation ... or Lose

By George Khoury, Esq. on August 21, 2018 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

While cases are won and lost at trial, a majority of cases won't get there. Why? It's not because they all settle magically.

It's not magic, it's pretrial litigation that clears court dockets and metes out the losers and settlers. And if you don't have the basics of pretrial litigation mastered, you can expect to end up getting the short end of the stick when settling (that is if you're lucky and don't get dunked on).

Luckily, for California litigators, The Rutter Group is presenting a two-day, twelve-MCLE-credit, Basic Training for Litigators: Civil Procedure Before Trial 2018 in both San Francisco and Los Angeles next month. (Disclosure: The Rutter Group is FindLaw's sister company.)

Basic Training

Whether you're new to lawyering or an experienced lawyer new to litigation, learning the basics and the nitty gritty of pretrial civil procedure is critically important.

From the initial interview with a client to crafting a discovery plan that fits your strategy, to knowing which motions to file (and when to file them), The Rutter Group's training will help you avoid the most common traps so you can "get the job done right the first time!"

The course is taught by experienced litigation practitioners, as well as noted superior court judges. Also, California's 2nd District Court of Appeal's presiding Justice Lee Smalley Edmon will be present and moderating both the San Francisco and Los Angeles seminars.

The two-day course will cover topics including, but not limited to:

  • Drafting complaints and answers
  • Service of process
  • DOE defendants
  • Attacking and amending the pleadings
  • Case management and trial setting
  • Removal to federal court
  • Anti-SLAPP motions
  • Discovery motions
  • Ediscovery
  • Summary judgmentd
  • Settlement, include CCP 998 offers

Follow the link above to sign up or get more information. Courses will be held on September 7 and 8 in San Francisco, and on September 28 and 29 in Los Angeles/Universal City (both courses are held over a Friday/Saturday).

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