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LAW-2400 Practice Ready: Personal Injury Litigation
Mr. Eric J. Parker,
2 credits day; 2 credits evening.
This course is designed to provide students with the essential skill-set needed to commence a
legal practice in the area of plaintiff’s personal injury litigation. Over the course of the semester,
students will be exposed to and demonstrate “fluency” in virtually every aspect of the tort
litigation practice, including: case selection and evaluation; evidence assembly; pre-litigation
considerations and options; liability and damage analysis; case valuation; settlement
negotiations; ADR options; court selection; preparation of “most common” pleadings; discovery
practice; client communications; common traps and nightmare avoidance; trial preparation; trial
choreography; and post settlement/trial matters. This course is specifically intended to provide
students interested in joining an existing personal injury practice, or those interested in opening
their own practice, following admission to the Massachusetts Bar, with the knowledge and
practical skills required in daily practice. This is not a “lecture” course. Rather, the course is
structured so as to maximize each student’s exposure to the essential elements of a successful
tort litigation practice. Students will prepare pleading, discuss case strengths and weaknesses,
confront unexpected issues, and defend their decisions. The student’s final grade will reflect
active participation in classroom discussion; evaluation of written assignments; and a final
assignment involving case-related tasks covered throughout the semester.
Most law students who successfully complete first year “Torts”, are aware that a person who is
injured as a result of the negligence of another person or entity, is legally entitled to be
compensated for the injuries and losses suffered. That said, in the absence of considerable hands-
on experience, few have the knowledge to obtain that compensation on behalf of a client, upon
graduation from law school. This course is for those who want to learn what it takes to
successfully represent clients injured or killed as a result of negligence. This course is
specifically designed for the student intent on pursuing a legal career devoted to high quality,
personal injury practice, who seeks fluency in a wide range of essential skills, strategy, and
procedure.
Grading will be based on written assignments.
Elective Course
Meets Skills Menu Requirement
<<Course Updated: July 21, 2016>>