Whether you are the defendant or plaintiff, government liability lawsuits can be both complex and intimidating. Are you confident in your abilities to represent your clients? This informative instruction will walk you through the steps involved in municipal liability cases – from section 1983 basics, types of immunity and common causes of action, to defense and resolution tactics. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from both sides of the table to gain an edge in future government liability disputes. Order today!

1. Overview of §1983 Litigation
2. Types of Immunities
3. Common Causes of Action
4. Popular Defenses
5. Evidentiary Considerations
6. Ethics

1. Overview of §1983 Litigation
   9:00 - 10:00, David L. Morrison
   1. Jurisdiction
   2. Bars to Relief
   3. Prima Facie Case
      1. “Under Color of Law”
   4. Individual Capacity or Official Capacity or Both?
   5. Supervisory, Municipal, County, and School District Liability
   6. Damages
      1. Nominal
      2. Compensatory
      3. Punitive
2. Types of Immunities
   10:00 - 10:30, David L. Morrison
   1. Sovereign/Absolute
   2. Governmental
      1. Official
      2. Qualified Official
         1. Discretionary
         2. Ministerial
3. Common Causes of Action
   10:45 - 12:00, J. Christopher Mills
   1. Personal & Real Property
   2. Trees, Traffic Controls and Street Lighting
   3. Streets and Sidewalks
   4. Care, Custody or Control of Animals
   5. Prison Litigation
   6. Police Misconduct
      1. Excessive Force
      2. Use of Restraints
      3. Police Pursuits
      4. Taser Cases
   7. Public Employees
      1. First Amendment Claims
      2. Procedural Due Process Claims
      3. Equal Protection Claims
4. Popular Defenses
   1:00 - 2:30, Matthew B. Rosbrugh
   1. Res Judicata/Collateral Estoppel
   2. Heck Doctrine
   3. Rooker/Feldman Doctrine
   4. Statute of Limitations, Notice of Claim and Accrual
   5. Tolling and Relation Back
   6. Issue Preclusion
   7. Release-Dismissal Agreements
5. Evidentiary Considerations
   2:45 - 3:30, J. Christopher Mills
   1. Relevance and Rule 403 in Section 1983
   2. Expert Testimony
   3. Evidentiary Privileges
   4. Oral Testimony
   5. Hearsay
   6. Admissibility of Investigatory Reports and Government Records
6. Ethics
   3:30 - 4:30, Matthew B. Rosbrugh
   1. Rules of Professional Conduct
   2. Avoiding Grievance/Malpractice
   3. Maintaining Client Confidentiality
   4. Conflicts of Interest
      1. Attorneys Fees
      2. Representing Multiple Clients

J. CHRISTOPHER MILLS focuses almost exclusively on plaintiff's civil rights litigation and criminal defense. He practices law at the trial and appellate levels of both state and federal court. Mr. Mills regularly lectures on criminal defense and civil rights issues for the South Carolina Bar, National Business Institute and other seminar sponsors. He is admitted to practice in all South Carolina courts, the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Mills is a member of the National Police Accountability Project and a sustaining member of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He earned his B.A. degree from the College of Charleston and his J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina.

DAVID L. MORRISON is the principal in the Morrison Law Firm in Columbia, South Carolina. He obtained his law degree and his master's degree in business administration from the University of South Carolina, and his undergraduate degree from Wofford College. Mr. Morrsion holds certification from the state of South Carolina as a civil dispute mediator. His law practice is concentrated primarily on the defense of governmental agencies and entities. Mr. Morrsion has been a speaker at several Risk Management seminars on governmental liability and at South Carolina Bar Continuing Legal Education seminars, addressing various aspects of defense of civil cases and governmental liability.

MATTHEW B. ROSBRUGH recently formed his own solo practice, MBR Law, LLC. His practice concentrates on civil litigation both for defendants and plaintiffs. Historically, Mr. Rosbrugh has concentrated on defending civil rights and governmental liability claims. He was a Myrtle Beach police officer and narcotics and vice investigator from 1990 - 1997. Mr. Rosbrugh is admitted to practice in both the state and federal courts of South Carolina, and is a member of both the Richland County Bar Association and the South Carolina Bar. He earned both his B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of South Carolina. During law school, Mr. Rosbrugh was a member of the Moot Court Bar and the Tulane Law School Moot Court competition team.

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