Pritzker Legal Research Center: Litigation Practice Materials: Litigation Practice Materials

General Litigation Resources

This guide describes resources intended to help you at every stage in a trial from filing a complaint to discovery to oral argument. Resources are arranged by each phase of the trial, however, the following are the leading general litigation secondary sources which cover many aspects of trial practice.

Most recent update: 1/2022

Stages of Litigation Timeline (Westlaw - Practical Law)
A timeline showing the typical progression of a lawsuit in US federal court during approximately the first six to eight months as set out in the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (FRCP).
Causes of Action (Westlaw)
Articles focus on selected causes of action and include an overview of substantive law, checklists, a sample case and complaint.
AmJur Pleading and Practice (Westlaw)
Comprehensive set of state and federal forms. Includes commentary and how to guidance, plus statutory and procedural rules references. Covers notices, complaints, petitions, declarations, summonses, demurrers, answers, counterclaims, cross-complaints, interrogatories, replies, motions, affidavits, stipulations, bills of particulars, subpoenas, orders, writs, jury instructions, findings of fact, judgments, bonds, decrees, and more.
AmJur Trials (Westlaw)
Includes articles on how to litigate specific types of cases. Features include: Checklists, Model pleading, discovery, and motion forms, sample opening statements and final arguments
AmJur Proof of Facts (Westlaw)
Contains articles which explain how to prove particular facts that are essential to a cause of action. Articles are arranged by topic and include general background, checklists, interrogatories, sample testimony and a bibliography.
BNA Litigation Practice Portfolios (Bloomberg Law)
In-depth analysis and practical guidance from expert legal practitioners; Portfolio topics include Discovery, Opening Statements, Scientific Evidence, Examining Witnesses, Pleadings, Removal and more

Trial Handbooks for Illinois Lawyers

Trial Handbooks for Illinois Lawyers, also known as Hunter's Handbooks after the author Robert Hunter, clearly and concisely discuss every aspect of practicing trial law, both procedural and substantive aspects. There are separate handbooks for civil, criminal, criminal sentencing and homicide.

Trial Handbooks for Illinois Lawyers (Westlaw)

Mauet's Trial Advocacy

Thomas Mauet is a leading authority on trial advocacy. His latest books available in the library are:

Trial Techniques and Trials (9th ed. 2013) Call Number: MON KF 8915 .M38 2013
The trial process -- The psychology of persuasion -- Jury selection -- Opening statements -- Direct examinations -- Cross-examinations -- Exhibits and visual aids -- Closing arguments -- Evidentiary objections -- Trial preparation and strategy -- Bench trials and other contested hearings.
Trial Evidence (5th ed. 2012) MON KF 8935 .M28 2012
An advocacy approach to trial evidence -- The role and power of the trial judge : evidentiary objections before and during trial -- Opening statements -- Direct examination of witnesses : basic considerations -- Direct examination of witnesses : relevance -- Direct examination of witnesses : hearsay and non-hearsay -- Direct examination of witnesses : hearsay exceptions -- Direct examination of witnesses : policy exclusions and privileges -- Direct examination of experts -- Exhibits -- Judicial notice and presumptions -- Cross-examination and impeachment of lay and expert witnesses -- Redirect, recross, rebuttal, and surrebuttal -- Closing arguments.

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General Litigation Resources

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Mauet's Trial Advocacy