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The ClientThe ClientChapter 1Chapter 1

Students Receive Research Assignments;Students Receive Research Assignments;Discuss Client File SetupDiscuss Client File Setup

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Chapter 1:Chapter 1:

Case AssignmentsCase Assignments Purpose:Purpose:

To create a “law firm” experience for students, To create a “law firm” experience for students, including preparation of the following including preparation of the following documents:documents:

Interoffice MemorandumInteroffice Memorandum Client CorrespondenceClient Correspondence Initial Client InterviewInitial Client Interview Complaint & SummonsComplaint & Summons Discovery DocumentsDiscovery Documents Trial MemorandumTrial Memorandum

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§1.2 Your Very Own Client§1.2 Your Very Own Client

1.1. Setter v. DoctorSetter v. Doctor Medical MalpracticeMedical Malpractice

2. 2. Graves v. GravesGraves v. Graves Emotional DistressEmotional Distress

3.3. Benton v. ABC Gas StationBenton v. ABC Gas Station NegligenceNegligence Statute of LimitationsStatute of Limitations

4.4. Green v. State Dept. of TransportationGreen v. State Dept. of Transportation Negligence/Failure to RepairNegligence/Failure to Repair

5.5. Smythe v. Ace Television Sales, et al.Smythe v. Ace Television Sales, et al. Negligent HiringNegligent Hiring

6.6. Hilton v. Lions & Tigers & Bears Pet ShopHilton v. Lions & Tigers & Bears Pet Shop Strict LiabilityStrict Liability NegligenceNegligence

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7.7. Forrest v. SnufflesForrest v. Snuffles Breach of Privilege/Unauthorized DisclosureBreach of Privilege/Unauthorized Disclosure

8.8. Trump v. KingTrump v. King Termination of Parental RightsTermination of Parental Rights

9.9. Seller v. Toxic Summer Camp, et al.Seller v. Toxic Summer Camp, et al. NegligenceNegligence Statute of LimitationsStatute of Limitations

10.10. Northrop v. Acme Insurance Co., et al.Northrop v. Acme Insurance Co., et al. Sexual HarrassmentSexual Harrassment Loss of Economic OpportunityLoss of Economic Opportunity

11.11. Jackson v. HempleJackson v. Hemple Defamation: Libel & SlanderDefamation: Libel & Slander

12.12. Carr v. Haul ‘Em Bus Co., et al.Carr v. Haul ‘Em Bus Co., et al. Negligent HiringNegligent Hiring

13.13. Harmon v. PhelpsHarmon v. Phelps Emotional DistressEmotional Distress Wrongful DeathWrongful Death

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14.14. Katz v. Home State UniversityKatz v. Home State University NegligenceNegligence

15.15. Jacobson v. VickersJacobson v. Vickers Constitutional RightsConstitutional Rights

16.16. Wilson v. Dice & Jacobs Law Firm, LLP, et al.Wilson v. Dice & Jacobs Law Firm, LLP, et al. Civil Rights ViolationCivil Rights Violation

17.17. Rain v. RainRain v. Rain Emotional Distress/AssaultEmotional Distress/Assault Spousal PrivilegeSpousal Privilege

18.18. Bates v. Regional School District, et al.Bates v. Regional School District, et al. NegligenceNegligence

19.19. Maples v. Pine Valley Rehabilitation CenterMaples v. Pine Valley Rehabilitation Center NegligenceNegligence

20.20. Hazely v. Inhumana HospitalHazely v. Inhumana Hospital NegligenceNegligence Intentional Infliction of Emotional DistressIntentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

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21.21. Kendrick v. Home Town School DistrictKendrick v. Home Town School District Defamation, Libel, and SlanderDefamation, Libel, and Slander

22.22. Astor v. County Department of CorrectionsAstor v. County Department of Corrections AssaultAssault

23.23. Hosgill v. Take Your Money and Run InsuranceHosgill v. Take Your Money and Run Insurance Failure to PayFailure to Pay Bad FaithBad Faith

24.24. Bennett v. Southwestern HospitalBennett v. Southwestern Hospital NegligenceNegligence

25.25. Branch v. FallonBranch v. Fallon Attorney MalpracticeAttorney Malpractice FraudFraud

26.26. Hayes v. Home Town School DistrictHayes v. Home Town School District Failure to SuperviseFailure to Supervise Intentional Infliction of Emotional DistressIntentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

27.27. Evans v. ForesterEvans v. Forester Defamation, Libel and SlanderDefamation, Libel and Slander

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28.28. Stork v. FrickmanStork v. Frickman NegligenceNegligence

29.29. Gorky v. Graves-R-Us CemeteryGorky v. Graves-R-Us Cemetery Intentional Infliction of Emotional DistressIntentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

30.30. Battle v. St. Augustine ParishBattle v. St. Augustine Parish NegligenceNegligence Intentional Infliction of Emotional DistressIntentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

31.31. Abbott v. SelzbergAbbott v. Selzberg FraudFraud

32.32. Jones v. Big Time Development Co.Jones v. Big Time Development Co. Sex DiscriminationSex Discrimination

33.33. Sandstone v. Lincoln County School BoardSandstone v. Lincoln County School Board Sexual HarassmentSexual Harassment

34.34. Corbett v. AnytownCorbett v. Anytown NegligenceNegligence

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35.35. Fogerty v. Bilton HotelsFogerty v. Bilton Hotels NegligenceNegligence

36.36. Sidney Shore v. Choo Choo Railroad Co.Sidney Shore v. Choo Choo Railroad Co. NegligenceNegligence

37.37. Knight v. BanfordKnight v. Banford Wrongful BirthWrongful Birth MalpracticeMalpractice

38.38. Beele v. Magnolia Flower Co.Beele v. Magnolia Flower Co. NegligenceNegligence

39.39. Smith v. Big Car DealershipSmith v. Big Car Dealership NegligenceNegligence Intentional Infliction of Emotional DistressIntentional Infliction of Emotional Distress

40.40. Templar v. Super Store MarketTemplar v. Super Store Market NegligenceNegligence

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§1.3 Maintaining Your Client’s File§1.3 Maintaining Your Client’s File

Client FileClient File Sections:Sections:

1.1. CorrespondenceCorrespondenceReverse chronological order (most recent on Reverse chronological order (most recent on

top)top)

2.2. InstrumentsInstruments

Contracts, wills, leases, Contracts, wills, leases, etc.etc.

Practice Note: Never punch holes in original documentsPractice Note: Never punch holes in original documents

3. Work Product3. Work Product

Notes, messages, office memoranda, etc.Notes, messages, office memoranda, etc.

4.4. ExhibitsExhibitsMaterials that will be presented to the courtMaterials that will be presented to the court

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5. Pleadings5. Pleadings Pleadings, Motions, Orders, Proposed Orders, etc.Pleadings, Motions, Orders, Proposed Orders, etc.

6. Discovery6. Discovery Interrogatories, R/Production, R/Admissions, DeposInterrogatories, R/Production, R/Admissions, Depos

File Organizational HintsFile Organizational Hints

Use IndexesUse Indexes Keep Files UpdatedKeep Files Updated Only write on documents in pencil!! (hint: use post-it Only write on documents in pencil!! (hint: use post-it

notes)notes)

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§1.4 Billable Hours§1.4 Billable Hours

Is what you’re doing now billable?Is what you’re doing now billable?

Average Billable Hours per monthAverage Billable Hours per month 120-140 hours120-140 hours

20 hours = administrative20 hours = administrative

Time SheetsTime Sheets List Date, Client, Description of Time, HoursList Date, Client, Description of Time, Hours

Description = phone call with client, legal research on statute Description = phone call with client, legal research on statute of limitations, client interview, etc.of limitations, client interview, etc.

Billing IncrementsBilling Increments: Most firms use either:: Most firms use either: .10 = 6 minutes increments OR.10 = 6 minutes increments OR

Example: 15 minutes = .30 (18 minutes)Example: 15 minutes = .30 (18 minutes) .25 = 15 minutes increments.25 = 15 minutes increments