Writing for litigation / Kamela Bridges, Wayne Schiess.
2011
KF250 .B75 2011 (Map It)
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Items
Details
Author
Title
Writing for litigation / Kamela Bridges, Wayne Schiess.
Published
New York : Wolters Kluwer Law & Business, [2011]
Copyright
©2011
Call Number
KF250 .B75 2011
ISBN
9781454802730
1454802731
1454802731
Description
xxi, 221 pages ; 26 cm.
System Control No.
(OCoLC)702647813
Bibliography, etc. Note
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Series
Record Appears in
Added Author
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
xxi
Introduction
1
I.
Audience and Purpose
2
II.
Components and Strategy
2
III.
Four Writing Principles for All Litigation Documents
3
A.
Make Information Accessible
3
B.
Avoid Hyperformal, Pompous Legalese
4
C.
Consult Writing Sources
5
D.
Produce Neat, Attractive Documents
6
IV.
Writing Like a Lawyer
8
1.
Engagement Letters
11
I.
Audience
11
II.
Purpose
11
III.
Components of an Engagement Letter
12
A.
Identification of the Client
12
B.
Description of the Matter the Lawyer Is Agreeing to Handle
12
C.
List of the Client's Responsibilities
13
D.
List of the Lawyer's Responsibilities
13
E.
Explanation of How the Lawyer Will Be Compensated
14
F.
List of Additional Expenses the Client Will Be Expected to Pay
14
G.
Explanation of How a Retainer Fee Will Be Used
14
H.
Statement that Either Party Can End the Relationship
15
I.
Reminder that You Cannot Guarantee the Outcome in a Case
15
J.
Identification of Whom the Client Can Contact with Complaints
15
K.
Explanation of What Is Necessary for the Representation to Begin
15
L.
Explanation of What Is Necessary for You to Represent the Client in Additional Matters
15
M.
Signatures
16
IV.
Strategic Considerations for Engagement Letters
17
A.
Demonstrate Balance
17
B.
Talk About the Letter First
18
C.
Specify When the Engagement Begins
18
V.
Conclusion
19
2.
Demand Letters
21
I.
Audience
21
II.
Purpose
21
III.
Components of a Demand Letter
22
A.
Identification of Your Client
22
B.
The Demand
22
C.
Support for the Demand
23
D.
Consequences
23
IV.
Strategic Considerations for Demand Letters
24
A.
Strategic Considerations Related to Audience
24
B.
Strategic Considerations Related to Purpose
25
V.
Other "Dos" and "Don'ts" for Demand Letters
26
VI.
Conclusion
28
3.
Complaints
29
I.
Audience
29
II.
Purpose
30
III.
Pre-Suit Requirements for a Complaint
30
IV.
Components of a Complaint
30
A.
Caption
31
B.
Title
31
C.
Parties
31
D.
Basis for Jurisdiction and Venue
32
E.
Factual Allegations
33
F.
Causes of Action
34
G.
Prayer (Also Called "Relief Sought")
35
H.
Signature Line
35
V.
Other Requirements When Filing a Complaint
35
VI.
Strategic Considerations for Complaints
35
A.
Encouraging an Early Settlement Offer
36
B.
Persuading the Judge That You Have a Strong Case
37
C.
Seeking Favorable Media Attention
39
D.
Satisfying Your Client's Desire to Tell Its Story
39
E.
Invoking Insurance Coverage
40
F.
Meeting or Tolling a Limitations Deadline
40
G.
Other Strategic Considerations
40
VII.
Conclusion
41
4.
Answers
43
I.
Pre-Answer Possibilities
43
II.
Audience
44
III.
Purpose
44
IV.
Components of an Answer
44
A.
Caption
45
B.
Title
45
C.
Admissions and Denials
45
D.
Affirmative Defenses
46
E.
Special Matters
46
F.
Prayer
46
G.
Signature Line
46
H.
Certificate of Service
46
I.
Verification
47
V.
Strategic Considerations for Answers
48
A.
Preserving Defenses Versus Identifying Issues
48
B.
Giving Your Client Its Say
49
C.
Giving Fair Warning That an Issue Will Be Contested
49
D.
Asserting Your Client's Claims
49
VI.
Conclusion
49
5.
Client Communications
51
I.
Audience
51
II.
Purpose
51
III.
Forms of Client Communication
52
A.
Letters
52
B.
E-Mail
52
C.
Bills
53
IV.
Components of a Client Letter
54
A.
Letterhead
55
B.
Date (with Optional File or Matter Number)
55
C.
Recipient Block
55
D.
Reference Line
55
E.
Salutation
55
F.
Body
56
G.
Sign-Off
57
H.
Name and Signature
57
I.
End Matter
57
V.
Up-Front Conclusions
57
VI.
Strategic Considerations for Client Communications
60
A.
Explain the Effect of Information on the Client's Case
60
B.
Manage Expectations
60
C.
Keep It Short
61
D.
Use Plain English
61
1.
Legal Terminology
61
2.
Citations
63
E.
Be Responsive
63
VII.
Conclusion
63
6.
Discovery Requests
65
I.
Audience
65
II.
Purpose
65
III.
Types of Discovery
66
A.
Disclosures
66
B.
Interrogatories
66
C.
Requests for Production
66
D.
Requests for Admission
67
E.
Depositions by Oral Examination
67
F.
Depositions by Written Questions
67
G.
Request for a Physical or Mental Examination
67
IV.
Components of a Written Discovery Request
67
A.
Caption
68
B.
Title
68
C.
Instructions
68
D.
Definitions
68
E.
Interrogatories or Requests
68
F.
Signature Line
69
G.
Certificate of Service
69
V.
Strategic Considerations for Discovery
69
A.
Consider What Information You Want
69
B.
Use the Best Discovery Device for the Job
70
C.
Phrase Your Discovery Precisely
71
D.
Time Your Discovery Strategically
73
VI.
Conclusion
74
7.
Discovery Responses
75
I.
Audience
75
II.
Purpose
75
III.
Components of a Written Discovery Response
76
A.
Caption
76
B.
Title
76
C.
General Objections
76
D.
Responses
76
E.
Signature Line
76
F.
Certificate of Service
77
IV.
Strategic Considerations for Discovery Responses
77
A.
Read the Questions Closely and Object with Care
77
B.
Assert Privilege Correctly
80
C.
Give Fair Answers
80
D.
Find and Disclose All Responsive, Nonprivileged Information
80
V.
Conclusion
81
8.
Opposing Counsel Communications
83
I.
Audience
83
II.
Purpose
84
III.
Forms of Opposing Counsel Communication
84
A.
E-Mail
84
B.
Letters
85
IV.
Components of an Opposing Counsel Letter
85
V.
Strategic Considerations for Opposing Counsel Communications
86
A.
Provide Context
86
B.
Include the Necessary Details
87
C.
Move the Matter Forward
89
D.
Watch Your Tone
90
E.
Don't Make Yourself Dependent on Your Opposing Counsel
91
VI.
Conclusion
92
9.
Motions
93
I.
Terminology
93
II.
Audience
94
III.
Purpose
94
IV.
Components of a Motion
94
A.
Caption
95
B.
Title
95
C.
Opening
95
D.
Introduction or Preliminary Statement
96
E.
Statement of Facts
97
F.
Motion Standard
98
G.
Argument and Authorities
99
H.
Prayer (Also Called "Relief Sought")
100
I.
Signature Line
100
J.
Certificate of Service
100
K.
Certificate of Conference
100
L.
Evidence
101
V.
Strategic Considerations for Motions
101
A.
Decide Carefully Whether to File a Motion
101
B.
Rely on Binding Authority if Possible
103
C.
Write Persuasively Without Appearing to Persuade
104
1.
Credibility
104
2.
Story
105
3.
Emphasis
106
D.
Anticipate the Response
106
VI.
Conclusion
107
10.
Responses
109
I.
Audience
109
II.
Purpose
109
III.
Components of a Response
111
A.
Caption
111
B.
Title
111
C.
Opening
111
D.
Introduction or Preliminary Statement
111
E.
Statement of Facts
112
F.
Motion Standard
113
G.
Argument and Authorities
113
H.
Prayer (Also Called "Relief Sought")
116
I.
Signature Line
116
J.
Certificate of Service
116
K.
Evidence
116
IV.
Strategic Considerations for Responses
117
A.
Order Your Arguments to Persuade and Respond
117
B.
Emphasize the Motion Standard
118
V.
Conclusion
119
11.
Supporting Evidence
121
I.
Audience
121
II.
Purpose
121
III.
Types of Evidence
122
A.
Live Testimony
122
B.
Deposition Testimony
122
C.
Deposition on Written Questions
123
D.
Documents
123
E.
Discovery Responses
123
F.
Pleadings
124
G.
Affidavits
124
IV.
Components of an Affidavit
124
A.
Caption
126
B.
Title
126
C.
State and County Identification
126
D.
Name and Qualifications of Affiant
126
E.
Basis for Affiant's Knowledge
126
F.
Facts
127
G.
Signature Line
127
H.
Jurat
127
V.
Strategic Considerations for Affidavits
128
A.
Use Affidavits to Present Your Case Persuasively
128
B.
Consider Carefully Who Should Draft the Affidavit
128
C.
Plan in Advance for Obtaining Affidavits from Third Parties
130
D.
Discuss the Testimony You Need Before Hiring an Expert
130
VI.
Conclusion
131
12.
Mediation Statements
133
I.
Audience
133
II.
Purpose
134
III.
Components of a Mediation Statement
134
A.
Introduction
134
B.
Factual Background
135
C.
Claims and Defenses
136
D.
Contested Legal Issues
136
E.
Relief Sought
137
IV.
Strategic Consideration for Mediation Statements
137
A.
Assess Your Case Honestly
137
B.
Concede Known Weaknesses
138
C.
Let Your Client Be Heard
138
D.
Respect the Mediator's Time
139
E.
Be Careful About Disclosing Your Bottom Line
140
F.
Consider Remedies Other Than Damages
140
V.
More Documents if Your Case Settles
141
VI.
Conclusion
142
13.
Jury Instructions
143
I.
Audience
143
II.
Purpose
144
III.
Components of Jury Instructions
144
A.
Caption
144
B.
Title of Entire Set of Instructions
145
C.
Identification of the Contents of the Document
145
D.
Caption
145
E.
Title of Particular Instruction or Question
145
F.
Text of the Proposed Instruction or Question
145
G.
Citation to Authority
146
H.
Signature Line for the Judge
146
I.
Additional Questions and Instructions
146
J.
Signature Line
146
K.
Certificate of Service
146
IV.
Strategic Considerations for Jury Instructions
147
A.
Write Your Jury Charge Early and Refer to It Often
147
B.
Follow Form or Pattern Jury Charges to the Extent Possible
147
C.
Make the Instructions as Intelligible as Possible
148
D.
Stick with Language That Has Been Court-Approved
149
E.
Include All Instructions and Definitions Needed to Support a Judgment in Your Favor
150
F.
Draft Instructions Even for Questions You Don't Want Submitted
150
G.
Condition Instructions You Don't Want Submitted on Your Objection
151
H.
Enlist the Assistance of an Appellate Specialist
151
V.
Conclusion
152
APPENDICES SAMPLE DOCUMENTS
153
A.
Sample Engagement Letter
154
B.
Sample Demand Letter
158
C.
Sample Complaint
160
D.
Sample Answer
164
E.
Sample Client Letter
167
F.
Sample Interrogatories
170
G.
Sample Requests for Production
175
H.
Sample Requests for Admission
179
I.
Sample Opposing Counsel Letter
183
J.
Sample Administrative Motion
185
K.
Sample Substantive Motion
188
L.
Sample Response
197
M.
Sample Business Records Affidavit
207
N.
Sample Affidavit About Facts of the Case
209
O.
Sample Mediation Statement
211
P.
Sample Jury Instruction
214
Index
217