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Massachusetts Practice - Summer 2012
Prof. Marc G. Perlin,
2 credits day; 2 credits evening.
This course deals with civil practice and procedure in the Massachusetts state courts. Primary
emphasis is on the Massachusetts Superior Court and District Court, with some discussion of the
Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial Court. The course focuses on subject matter jurisdiction
of the Massachusetts courts, personal jurisdiction, commencement of actions, service of process,
use of attachment and trustee process to secure assets, responsive pleadings, discovery, pre-trial
methods to terminate litigation, judgments, and methods to enforce judgments. Particular
emphasis is placed on the Massachusetts Rules of Civil Procedure. The course will be of interest
to students who intend to practice on the civil side in Massachusetts courts and to students who
intend to take the Massachusetts bar examination. The course syllabus, consisting of references
to rules, statutes, and cases that are relevant to Massachusetts civil practice, will be available to
students on Blackboard, together with direct electronic links to Westlaw for all of the rules,
statutes, and cases. The course will include an overview of how Massachusetts Practice is tested
on the essay portion of the Massachusetts bar examination. Students will have an opportunity to
review past essay questions from the Massachusetts bar examination that deal with
Massachusetts Practice. There will be a closed-book final examination.
Elective Course
Meets Civil Litigation Concentration Requirements
Recommended for the Mass Bar
Final Exam Required
Massachusetts Practice Seminar
Mr. Serge Georges,
2 credits day; 2 credits evening.
The course deals with Massachusetts practice at both trial and appellate levels and among a
variety of topics covers the following: jurisdiction of the various courts; venue; commencement
of action; service of summonses; trustee process; action to reach and apply; arrest;
supplementary process parties; complaints; motions to dismiss; answers; amendments;
counterclaims; interrogatories; request for admission; production of documents and entry upon
land for inspection and other purposes, and termination of litigation prior to trial.
Enrollment is limited: 24
Elective Course
Meets Civil Litigation Concentration Requirements
Take Home Exam Required