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Trial Practice Research Guide

INTRODUCTION

This research guide is intended as a starting point for research in the area of trial practice. While not comprehensive, it provides a listing of the most important, current, and relevant materials available in this subject area.

Members of the Georgetown University community may seek additional assistance at the reference desk or online.

INTRODUCTORY RESOURCES

The following are some significant, highly regarded secondary sources which cover trial practice. They are excellent places to begin your research, especially if you are new to this subject.

  • Trial Techniques, KF8915 .M38 2002
    This book is highly recommended as a starting point for all aspects of trial practice.

  • American Jurisprudence Trials KF8915 .A74
    The first six volumes of this 77-volume set are a discussion of all aspects of trial practice and strategy. The remainder of the set is titled "Model Trials" and consists of detailed articles on how to litigate specific types of cases. Additional "Model Trials" volumes are added each year. Relevant sections of the set can be located using the paperbound general index located at the end of the set.
  • Am Jur Proof of Facts, 3rd Series KF8933 .A46 1988
    This 59-volume set consists on detailed articles on the elements of proof for very specific evidentiary issues. To locate your topic, use the general index at the end of the set.

  • American Jurisprudence Pleading and Practice Forms Annotated KF 8836. A45

SECONDARY SOURCES

Treatises

1. Trial Practice in General

2. Discovery

  • Pretrial Discovery: The Development of Professional Judgment KF8900 .B58 1993

  • Pattern Discovery (various topics)
    • This author has written a series of books of forms for discovery in various subject areas.

  • Discovery Proceedings in Federal Court KF8900 .S5 (3rd ed., 1995 - 2001)
  • Handbook of Federal Civil Discovery and Disclosure KF8900 .G75 (1998 - 2000)
  • Pretrial Discovery: Strategy and Tactics KF8900 .I48 (1999 - 2000)

  • Civil Discovery and Depositions KF8900 .S55 (2nd ed., 1994)

3. Pleadings & Motions

4. Juries

  • Bennett's Guide to Jury Selection and Trial Dynamics in Civil and Criminal Litigation KF8976 .B46 (1993-2001)
    • Westlaw: BLUEJURYGD (as Blue's Guide to Jury Selection)

  • Jury Selection: Strategy & Science KF8979 .C6 (3rd ed., 2000)
  • The Law of Juries KF8972 .G47 1997

  • Jury Selection: The Law, Art, and Science of Selecting a Jury KF8979 .J67 (2nd ed., 1990-2000)

5. Opening Statements

6. Witnesses

7. Evidence

  • Wright and Miller on Federal Practice and Procedure KF9619 .W7 (3rd ed., 1998 - current)

8. Closing Arguments

9. Brief Writing and Oral Argument

  • Brief Writing and Oral Argument KF251 .R4 (8th ed., 1999)

  • Effective Appellate Advocacy: Brief Writing and Oral Argument KF251 .B43 1998

  • Introduction to Advocacy: Research, Writing, and Arguments KF281.A2 I57 (7th ed., 2002)
  • Persuasive Delivery in the Courtroom KF8915.A7 C44 (1995 - 2000)
  • The Winning Brief: 100 Tips for Persuasive Briefing in Trial and Appellate Courts KF251 .G37 (2nd ed., 2004)

Academic Journals

Looseleaf Services & Current Awareness

Study Aids

  • Trial and Clinical Skills in a Nutshell KF8915.Z9 H43 (4th ed., 2005)
  • Pretrial Litigation in a Nutshell KF 8900 .D49 (4th ed., 2008)

ONLINE RESOURCES


Revised 06/2010 (TV)

Page last saved 23-Sep-2011