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, Marc P. Cook

• 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, Marc P. Cook

• 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
10:15 - 11:00, Marc P. 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
11:00 - 11:30, Matthew J. Christian and Alan J. Lefebvre

• 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
12:30 - 1:30, Matthew J. Christian and Alan J. Lefebvre

• 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 - 2:00, Matthew J. Christian and Alan J. Lefebvre

• 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
2:00 2:45, Shea A. Backus

• 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, Shea A. Backus

• 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, Shea A. Backus

SHEA A. BACKUS is an attorney with the law firm Backus Carranza & Burden. She is devoted to the representation of owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors and sureties on all aspects of the construction process, including liens and litigation. Ms. Backus also represents individuals in civil litigation and domestic matters and has experience representing Native Americans before local tribal courts. Ms. Backus earned her B.S. degree in Management Science from Revelle College at the University of California, San Diego, and her J.D. degree from Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, where she earned High Pro Bono Distinction, Dean's Award, was a William H. Pedrick Scholar, and received a certificate in Indian Law. Ms. Backus is a member of the State Bar of Nevada, Clark County Bar and American Inn of Court. Recently, Ms. Backus was selected by Mountain States Super Lawyers 2009 as a Rising Star.

MATTHEW J. CHRISTIAN is an attorney with Kolesar & Leatham where he practices primarily in commercial litigation, with an emphasis on public construction and surety bond claims, litigation and arbitration, and appellate work. He has represented appellants, appellees, and amicus curiae in various matters involving civil procedure, arbitration, surety law, bad faith, mechanics' liens, and general construction law. Mr. Christian has served as co-chair of the Young Professionals Section of the Fidelity and Surety Subcommittee of the ABA's Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. He publishes and speaks regularly on topics involving general contract law, public construction, and suretyship in Nevada. In the fall of 2007, Mr. Christian began serving as an adjunct legal writing professor at his alma mater. Mr. Christian earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois and his J.D. degree, magna cum laude, from the William S. Boyd School of Law where he was a member of the law review.

MARC P. COOK is an attorney with the Las Vegas law firm of Bailus Cook & Kelesis Ltd, where his primary areas of practice include civil litigation, business and contract law. Mr. Cook is admitted to practice in all courts for the State of Nevada, before the U.S. District Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, District of Nevada, as well as the Supreme Court in the State of Nevada. He is a former adjunct professor at the Community College of Southern Nevada. Mr. Cook is a member of the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Nevada, the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, the Nevada America Inn of Court and is a national member of the Order of Barristers. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and his J.D. degree from Southwestern University School of Law.

ALAN J. LEFEBVRE is a shareholder with Kolesar & Leatham where he is a member of the firm's commercial and construction litigation practice group. His primary focus is construction-related litigation. Mr. Lefebvre conducts a statewide trial and appellate practice in both state and federal courts in Nevada. He has served on the board that governs the State Bar of Nevada and is a nine year veteran of the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, a constitution court of judicial performance. He is active in the International Association of Defense Counsel and the Forum Committee on the Construction Industry of the American Bar Association. He is active in civic and governmental affairs. Mr. Lefebvre earned his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara and his J.D. degree from the University of San Francisco.

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