Course Section | Columbia Law School

Section Description Provided by Instructor

This course is intended to introduce students to the practical world of major, complex civil litigation. It will cover all aspects of the pre-trial process, from choice of forum, to pleadings, to provisional remedies, to motions to compel arbitration, to fact discovery, to class certification motions, to motions to dismiss, to expert testimony motions, to summary judgment, jury trial research, settlement strategy and pre-trial preparation. The emphasis will be on strategic decision-making and advocacy skills and choices. In addition to lecture, students will work in teams in researching writing and arguing various pre-trial motions before the class. Class size will be limited to sixteen students and active participation in class discussion will be expected. Enrollment is limited to Third Year students with a strong interest in civil litigation or Second Year students with approval. Evidence is recommended as a co-requisite.