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. Order today to get a detailed examination of where, when and how claims are processed in civil courts, so you can improve your efficiency.

1. The Structure and Overview of the Court System
2. Commencing the Action
3. Responsive Pleadings – What to Use, When and How
4. Non-Compliant Claims and Third-Party Practice
5. The Purpose, Procedure and Strategy of Discovery
6. Motions, Notices and Hearings
7. Wrapping Up – Settlements, Judgments, Appeals and Enforcement
8. Ethical Considerations
9. Practice Tips – Strategies for the New Attorney

THE STRUCTURE AND OVERVIEW OF THE COURT SYSTEM
9:00 - 9:30, Richard D. Giglio

• State vs. Federal Court Practice
• Superior and Probate Court
• Small Claims and Housing
• Complex Litigation
• Administrative/Appellate Court
• Clerk's Office Case Flow

COMMENCING THE ACTION
9:30 - 10:15, Richard D. Giglio

• Tips for Researching, Writing and Filing the Complaint
• Determining Jurisdiction and Venue
• What to Include in the 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, William J. Cook

• 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

NON-COMPLAINT CLAIMS AND THIRD PARTY PRACTICE
11:15 - 11:45, William J. Cook

• Counterclaim/Crossclaims in Relation to Principal Claims
• How to Use Injunctions and Prejudgment Remedies
• Apportionment Considerations
• Implead/Cite-In/Joinder

THE PURPOSE, PROCEDURE AND STRATEGY OF DISCOVERY
12:45 - 1:30, John W. Campbell

• 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

MOTIONS, NOTICES AND HEARINGS
1:30 - 2:15, John W. Campbell

• 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
• Do You Need the Pretrial Report Form?

WRAPPING UP – SETTLEMENTS, JUDGMENTS, APPEALS AND ENFORCEMENT
2:30 - 3:00, William J. Cook

• 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
3:00 - 4:00, Richard D. Giglio

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

PRACTICE TIPS – STRATEGIES FOR THE NEW ATTORNEY
4:00 - 4:30, John W. Campbell, William J. Cook and Richard D. Giglio

JOHN W. CAMPBELL is a managing partner in the Tampa office of Constangy, Brooks & Smith, LLP, where he practices in the areas of employment and business litigation, employer rights, ERISA litigation, employment at will and whistle-blower litigation. He has lectured for The Florida Bar's Labor and Employment Law Section, and business and employers groups on employment law issues. Mr. Campbell also co-chaired The Florida Bar's "Advanced Labor and Employment Law" seminar. He has co-written, "And the Walls Came Tumbling Down: Tort Remedies Collapse Under the Growing Weight of the Economic Loss Rule," The Advocate, September, 1994. Mr. Campbell is a member of The Florida Bar (member, Labor and Employment Law and Trial Lawyers sections). He earned his B.S. and J.D. degrees from the University of Florida.

WILLIAM J. COOK is a partner in the Tampa law firm of Barker Rodems & Cook, P.A., where he practices in the areas of general civil litigation, business litigation, employment disputes, insurance, and personal injury. Mr. Cook frequently lectures on his areas of expertise. He received his B.A. degree from Virginia Tech and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Stetson University College of Law. While in law school, Mr. Cook was an editor on the Stetson Law Review, and he was an intern to U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich, Middle District of Florida. He is a member of the Hillsborough County and American bar associations and The Florida Bar (member, Appellate Practice and Advocacy Section, and Business Law Section). Mr. Cook is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Mr. Cook is past president of the Rotary Club of Tampa Bay.

RICHARD D. GIGLIO is a partner with the law firm of Maney & Gordon, PA, where he practices in the areas of civil litigation, products liability, personal injury and criminal defense. Mr. Giglio has argued extensively for the rights of plaintiffs injured at the casinos owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe, as evidenced in Seminole Tribe of Florida v. McCorr, 903 So.2d 353 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2005). Prior to joining Maney Gordon, Mr. Giglio served four years as an Assistant State Attorney for the Thirteenth Judicial District in Hillsborough County. He was responsible for the prosecution of hundreds of felony cases and is credited with more than 40 jury trials ranging from DUI to homicide. Mr. Giglio is a member of The Florida Bar, the Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa Bay Trial Lawyers, the American Association for Justice and the Barney Masterson Inns of Court. He frequently lectures to area students on a variety of legal topics. Mr. Giglio earned his B.A. degree from the College of William and Mary and his J.D. degree from Villanova University and studied at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.

Please refer to Continuing Education Credit FAQ for general information about seeking credit for your participation in one of our continuing education programs.

Additionally, our team of credit specialists are here to answer your specific credit-related questions weekdays 7am - 5pm Central:

Phone: 866-240-1890

Email: credit@nbi-sems.com