Texas Civil Litigation: Pretrial and Trial Strategy

• Semester: Spring 2021
• Course ID: 376T
• Credit Hours: 3
• Unique: 29130

Description

This course will be taught in person but with the option of remote participation via Zoom.  Please note that this course might become online-only in the event that actual in-person attendance during the semester consistently falls below a threshold to be determined in the exercise of reasonable discretion by the instructor and the Student Affairs Office.

The course involves the preparation of a hypothetical civil case for trial, from preparing the initial pleading to closing arguments, including preparing for and taking depositions, handling voir dire, and drafting motions for summary judgment, among other things. The class will also cover what every new lawyer needs to know about e-discovery and the use of social media for and at trial. Mr. Incerto and Mr. Oakes will be assisted by federal judges, state court judges and seasoned trial lawyers, many of whom have decades of trial experience. Each speaker will offer advice, observations and/or suggestions on case preparation and strategy. The course is taught solely on a pass/fail basis. There is no final examination. Class attendance is mandatory, and a satisfactory level of performance on all written assignments is required to pass the course.

The prerequisites for this course are Texas Procedure I and Evidence.