The Illinois Trial Practice Blog: Litigation

Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Litigation Blogs

OR PHONE (866) 635-1838 for Bankruptcy Help, (866) 635-6190 for Divorce,
(866) 635-2689 for Personal Injury or (866) 635-9402 for Criminal Defense

Find a Local Lawyer

Bankruptcy (866) 635-1838
Divorce (866) 635-6190
Personal Injury (866) 635-2689
Criminal Defense (866) 635-9402

Litigation

The Illinois Trial Practice Blog

Tips and techniques for trial lawyers, whether plaintiff or defense
By Schaeffer & Lamere, P.C

Post Frequency: 1.8/day

Last Entry: March 30, 2011 at 14:54:42

Reader Input: Send Your Suggestions

Posted on July 01, 2010
As always, readers are welcome to email me with suggestions for topics to cover at The Trial Practice Tips Weblog. Something new that I should cover? Deposition tips? Trial pointers? Email me at eschaeffer -at- riverbendlaw.com

For Trial: A Simple Presentation Program

Posted on June 24, 2010
Trial Fusion claims to bring "the speed and accuracy of barcode technology to your trial." In a review at the Trial Presentation Blog, Charles Perez calls Trial Fusion "a simple, yet affordable, method to simplify an otherwise daunting task."

Legal Writing: Writing Bad Briefs

Posted on June 18, 2010
From the Journal of the New York State Bar Association: "Writing Bad Briefs: How to Lose a Case in 100 Pages or More," by Judge Gerald Lebovits. (Link from the (new) legal writer.)

The Zen of Trial Practice

Posted on June 11, 2010
Here's a novel idea for lawyers from a new law blog, Seattle Zen Legal Blog: "Thou Shalt Not Be a Pompous Ass"-- As an attorney I work on treating all people with dignity and respect. This is the right thing...

To access this complete feed in the blog feed reader login or register for free.

Hundreds of Deposition Tips

Posted on June 04, 2010
You'll find hundreds of deposition tips in this weblog "deposition" category. Once you've exhausted these, consider my book Deposition Checklists and Strategies (James Publishing, 2006, updated yearly). Good luck at your next deposition!

Experts: Attacking for Bias

Posted on May 28, 2010
A post at Paul Luvera's Plaintiff Trial Lawyer Tips titled "Attacking the Expert for Bias" is "a simple check list of reminders" of bias-related topics to ask at the expert's deposition. These topics include-- Advertising for Work Experience as an...

Advice for New Lawyers

Posted on May 20, 2010
At Dorf on Law, Ori J. Herstein has written a useful and entertaining post titled "Advice to the New Junior Associate in Big Law." It's full of good practical advice, like this bit of wisdom on the role of partners--...

iPad Roundup

Posted on May 12, 2010
Confession: Although I know plenty about lawyers and their shiny new gadgets, I don't have an iPad myself. When I tried one out at Best Buy, it just seemed too heavy and hard to handle, especially when I'm used to...

Detecting Liars: A New Method?

Posted on May 05, 2010
From Wired Science: "Lie-Detection Brain Scan Could Be Used in Court for First Time"-- A Brooklyn attorney hopes to break new ground this week when he offers a brain scan as evidence that a key witness in a civil trial...

Where You'll Find the Experts

Posted on April 28, 2010
Looking for an expert witness? Start by looking at nearby universities. In his book, The View from the First Chair, Martin L. Grayson shares this anecdote-- The last time I needed a toxicologist on a case I was handling, I...

If You'd Like a Bit of Humor

Posted on April 20, 2010
Here's a new site: Overheard in Court, which is open to submissions from its reader. The creators say on the homepage-- This site is dedicated to the memory of Judge Buchmeyer and his long running, much loved, column in The...

Technology Without the Hype

Posted on April 13, 2010
At My Law License, Brian Tannebaum isn't buying into the iPad hype. In his post, "The Technology Curmudgeon Gives His Technology Secrets," Tannebaum summarizes his firm's set-up-- In my office is a telephone. My receptionist also has one, and so...

Tech: Try a Virtual Fax Service

Posted on April 06, 2010
From Bryan Sims at The Connected Lawyer: "Are Lawyers Moving to Virtual Fax Services?"-- If you are like me and still dealing with attorneys who insist on using a fax machine, go to a virtual fax service. You will never...

Dangerous and Defective?

Posted on April 01, 2010
For your reading pleasure on April 1, here's a post by Jim Dedman at Abnormal Use, "Unsatisfying Snickers Bar Unreasonably Dangerous and Defective, Texas Court Holds." Meanwhile, Eric Turkewitz at the New York Personal Injury Law Blog writes about "On...

For Your Consideration: A New E-Discovery Blog

Posted on March 30, 2010
Here's a new e-Discovery blog to consider: Catalyst Repository. It promises to be a "useful resource for anyone with an interest in electronic discovery and document review." It's various authors are profiled here by Robert Ambrogi, who is also writing...

Legal Writing: A Motivational Reminder

Posted on March 24, 2010
Here's a simple reminder that will help you get moving on that first draft-- Don't get it right, get it written I'm not sure where I heard this, but it stuck with me. It certainly makes sense. You can worry...

Evidence: Lawyer Proof and Juror Proof

Posted on March 16, 2010
Here's an interesting way to look at the evidence you present at trial: as either "lawyer proof" or "jury proof." As authors Phillip H. Miller and Paul J. Scoptur write in their article, "Four Rules for Discovery," (Trial 3/10)-- There...

Older Lawyers: Watch Your Backs

Posted on March 09, 2010
Here's why older lawyers should be looking out for the younger generation (or at least getting with it on technology)-- Most lawyers have trouble with email (and digital information in general) because they don't understand how to navigate that world...

More iPhone Tips For Lawyers

Posted on March 02, 2010
Here are two good posts from Jeff Richardson of iPhone J.D.-- "iPhone apps that I use at my desk" (including a discussion of apps such as DaysFrom, QuickOffice and NotifyMe); and "Review: ZeroTap -- quickly move text from your computer...

Using "And/Or" -- Just Plain Dumb

Posted on February 23, 2010
Leslie O'Flahavan at Writing Matters concludes that using "and/or" is "just plain dumb." To find out why, read her post, which includes lots of support from writing experts. At the (new) legal writer, Raymond Ward adds to the debate, concluding...

Handling the Metadata in Your Documents

Posted on February 18, 2010
The February issue of the Illinois Bar Journal contains a tip-filled article by Helen Gunnarsson titled "Is Your Metadata Showing?" If you don't have access online as an ISBA member, you can find the article in a library. Highlights-- Safely...

More About the 7th Circuit's E-Discovery Pilot Program

Posted on February 16, 2010
From Practical Ediscovery: "PowerPoint Slides about the Seventh Circuit Ediscovery Pilot Program"-- The Seventh Circuit Electronic Discovery Pilot Program was developed as a result of continuing comments from the business and legal community about the need to reform the civil...

Navigating Trial Practice Tips by Category

Posted on February 11, 2010
Since I started this weblog in January, 2004, I've written 883 posts, enough for a good-sized book. Most of these posts are assigned to one or more categories. You can get to these categories by clicking on the list that...

The Weekly Law School Roundup

Posted on February 09, 2010
For years, I've been doing a weekly roundup of good weblog posts from law-school weblogs. For quite awhile, this has been in conjunction with the weblog Thanks, But No Thanks, which is responsible for this week's Law School Roundup #211....

Organizing Simple Cases for Trial Without Software

Posted on February 04, 2010
In his post "A Basic Manual System to Organize Materials for Trial," lawyer Paul Luvera describes a step-by-step procedure for preparing for simple trial matters. He concludes, "This isn?t rocket science and certainly software management is probably superior to my...

Fastcase: Free Research for the iPhone

Posted on February 02, 2010
Fastcase is free for the iPhone. There are two good reviews here-- "Review of the Fastcase iPhone App," at Legal Geekery; "Review: Fastcase -- free caselaw and statute research for the iPhone," at iPhone J.D.

Requests for Admissions: Admitting of Denying Part of a Request

Posted on January 28, 2010
A commenter writes-- I couldn't find an answer about how to respond when a requesting party stated many facts in one paragraph, some of which were true and others were not. Actually, it's easy to admit or deny only part...

Read About the 7th Circuit's E-Discovery Pilot Program

Posted on January 26, 2010
From the Electronic Discovery Law weblog of K&L Gates: Beginning October 1, [2009], Phase One of the Seventh Circuit?s new Electronic Discovery Pilot Program (?Pilot Program?) will begin. The Pilot Program will be implemented through Standing Orders in selected cases,...

Trial Tip: Authenticating Web Pages

Posted on January 21, 2010
From Law Technology News: "Authenticating Web Pages as Evidence," by M. Anderson Berry and David Kiernan-- Plaintiff sues your client, claiming that his injuries have significantly affected his lifestyle. He is unable to work, travel or bowl. Not surprisingly, his...

Objections During Depositions: When and How

Posted on January 19, 2010
From the Atkinson-Baker Discovery Update: "When and How to Object During a Deposition," by Paul Mark Sandler and John J. Lovejoy-- At a deposition, an attorney is required to object to those defects that are immediately curable--that is, irregularities that...

Previous | Next

Related Law Bulletins

Cramer Hill eminent domain case reversed and remanded to trial court
In a reported case, Cramer Hill Residents Association v.&nbs...

Medical Malpractice: Your Case Is On The Trial Calendar-Can Defense Lawyers Talk to Your Doctor?
Your New York attorney has notified the Court that your case is re...

Zyprexa on Trial in Alaska: Lilly Accused of Putting Profit Before Patients
Anchorage, AK: Spectators in a courtroom in Anchorage are getting ...

Teacher Class Action Case Appears Headed for Trial
Kevin Hickey has been added as co-counsel in a class action lawsui...

Trial Held In Prisoner Suit Seeking Kosher Meals
Last Saturday's St. Louis Post Dispatch ran a long story about pri...