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, Mark J. Oberstaedt

• 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 - 10:00, Mark J. Oberstaedt

• 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
10:00 - 10:30, Mark J. Oberstaedt

• 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
10:45 - 11:15, Steven J. Fram

• 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
11:15 - 12:00, Mitchell H. Kizner

• 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
1:00 - 1:45, Mitchell H. Kizner

• 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
1:45 - 2:30, Mitchell H. Kizner

• 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
2:45 - 3:45, Steven J. Fram

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

PRACTICE TIPS – STRATEGIES FOR THE NEW ATTORNEY
3:45 - 4:30, Steven J. Fram

STEVEN J. FRAM is a shareholder in the law firm of Archer & Greiner, P.C., where he chairs the firm's commercial litigation practice group. Mr. Fram concentrates his practice on the resolution of complex business disputes, including business torts, class actions, intellectual property and technology matters, and shareholder and corporate governance disputes. He is a frequent lecturer on litigation, ethics and technology law issues to business and professional groups. Mr. Fram is a member of the Camden County, New Jersey State and American bar associations. He earned both his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, and his M.A. degree from Cornell University and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center.

MITCHELL H. KIZNER is a shareholder with the firm of Flaster Greenberg PC, where his areas of practice include environmental law, insurance and commercial litigation. He also is a certified trial attorney. Mr. Kizner earned his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from Queens College of the City University of New York and his J.D. degree, with honors, from Rutgers University Law School. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Association.

MARK J. OBERSTAEDT is a shareholder in the law firm of Archer & Greiner, P.C., where he is a member of the firm's commercial litigation practice group. Mr. Oberstaedt concentrates his practice on the resolution of complex business disputes, including business torts, class actions, fraud and ERISA. He has lectured on various litigation and ERISA issues, and has written articles that appeared in various publications including the New Jersey Law Journal, Seton Hall Law Review, and others. Mr. Oberstaedt is a member of the Camden County, New Jersey State and American bar associations. He earned his B.A. degree, with honors and summa cum laude, from College Misericordia, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from Seton Hall University.

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