The civil court system is a sophisticated machine that offers justice for all. To work properly, however, it requires just as sophisticated an operator - you. Whether you're filing your first or ninetieth case tomorrow, you will find this guide helpful. Get a detailed examination of where, when and how claims are processed in civil courts, so you can improve your efficiency. Order today!

1. Commencing the Action
2. Responsive Pleadings - What to Use, When and How
3. The Purpose, Procedure and Strategy of Discovery
4. Expert Witnesses
5. Motions, Notices and Hearings
6. Wrapping Up - Settlements, Judgments, Appeals and Enforcement
7. Ethical Considerations
8. Practice Tips - Strategies for the New Attorney

COMMENCING THE ACTION
10:00 - 10:30, Brian A. Chou, Jillian Walker and Dawn Isackson

• Tips for Researching, Writing and Filing the Complaint
• Determining Jurisdiction and Venue
• What to Include in the Claims and Prayer for Relief
• Common Questions About Summons/Appearance
• Filing a Proposed Scheduling Order and Meeting the Deadlines

RESPONSIVE PLEADINGS –WHAT TO USE, WHEN AND HOW
10:30 - 11:15, Brian A. Chou, Jillian Walker and Dawn Isackson

• Do You Need Pre-Answer Motions?
• What Can Trigger a Motion to Dismiss
• The Purpose and Process of Request to Revise
• Common Grounds for and Proper Structure of Motion to Strike
• Answer/Special Defense/Reply
• How Much Time do You Have to Plead?
• Amendments Procedure
• Don't Tip Your Hand! Pros and Cons of Using Various Responsive Pleadings

THE PURPOSE, PROCEDURE AND STRATEGY OF DISCOVERY
11:30 - 12:30, Patrick J. Coffey

• General When/How/Why Considerations Before You Begin
• Interrogatories/Production Requests
• Demand for Disclosure of Defense
• Depositions – Planning, Physical Location, Documentation, Objections and Instructions Not to Answer
• Ensure the Admissions are Usable in Court
• Properly Documenting Objections/Good-Faith Efforts
• Motions to Compel, Quash, and for Protective Order
• Special Expert Disclosure
• Subpoenas and Nonparty Discovery

EXPERT WITNESSES
12:30 - 1:15, Patrick J. Coffey

MOTIONS, NOTICES AND HEARINGS
1:45 - 2:30, Brian A. Chou and Jillian Walker

• The Format and Procedure of Motions and Notices
  (Including: Briefs/Signature, How to Format Citations, When to File by Mail/Fax-File/ E-File, Why Certifications of Mailing are Important, Claims/Reclaims and More)
• Notifying of and Appearing at Short Calendars/Special Proceedings
• What's Addressed in Oral Arguments
• Requesting Extensions of Time
• Certificate of Closed Pleadings/Jury Claims

WRAPPING UP – SETTLEMENTS, JUDGMENTS, APPEALS AND ENFORCEMENT
2:30 - 3:30, Brian A. Chou and Jillian Walker

• Withdrawals: When, Why and How to do It
• The Purpose, Procedure and Strategy of Offer of Judgment/Stipulated Judgment
• Properly Documenting Defaults/Nonsuits/Military/Opening Not to Jeopardize Your Case
• Hearing in Damages – What Supporting Documentation to Provide
• How to Get a Summary Judgment
• Using Trial and Post-Trial Motions
• Preserving Appellate Issues/Taking Appeals
• Collecting Money Judgments
• Completing the Certificate of Satisfaction

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
3:45 - 4:45, Brian A. Chou and Jillian Walker

• The Etiquette of Communicating With Other Litigating Parties
• Protecting Client Confidentiality
• Determining and Collecting Attorneys' Fees/Costs

PRACTICE TIPS – STRATEGIES FOR THE NEW ATTORNEY
4:45 - 5:00, Brian A. Chou, Patrick J. Coffey, Dawn Isackson and Jillian Walker

BRIAN A. CHOU is an attorney with the Plymouth law firm of Messerly & Kramer P.A., where he practices in the areas of collections and civil litigation. Mr. Chou earned his B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and his J.D. degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School. He is a member of the Minnesota State Bar Association and the State Bar of Wisconsin.

PATRICK J. COFFEY is an attorney with the Menn Law Firm, Ltd., where he represents employers in labor and employment issues, conducts audits of employment practices before claims are filed, updates employers on new developments in the law and represents employers before the administrative court system and administrative law judges. He also practices in the areas of civil trial and appellate practice, personal injury law and commercial litigation. Mr. Coffey has spoken on a number of topics in the area of employment law and personal injury law. He earned his B.A. degree from Lawrence University and his J.D. degree from William Mitchell College of Law. Mr. Coffey is a member of the Outagamie County and American bar associations, the State Bar of Wisconsin, the American Association For Justice, the Wisconsin Academy Association of Justice, the Defense Research Institute and the Civil Trial Counsel of Wisconsin. He has been named as a SuperLawyer - Top Up and Coming Attorney for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Mr. Coffey also has been elected to be a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.

DAWN ISACKSON is an attorney with Messerli & Kramer PA, where her areas of practice include banking and finance, business litigation, and real estate. Ms. Isackson is admitted to practice in Minnesota and before the U.S. District Court, District of Minnesota. She earned her B.A. degree, cum laude, from Hamline University and her J.D. degree, cum laude, from the William Mitchell College of Law. Ms. Isackson is a member of the Minnesota Women Lawyers, as well as the Hennepin County, Minnesota State and American bar associations.

JILLIAN WALKER is an attorney at Messerli & Kramer, P.A. in the area of creditor remedies, collection and civil litigation. Prior to attending law school, she worked for the National Conference of Bar Examiners in Madison, Wisconsin. Ms. Williams earned her B.A. degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and her J.D. degree from the William Mitchell College of Law. She has worked at Messerli & Kramer P.A. for the last three years focusing mainly on civil litigation and contested actions.

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