From the Prof

You are expected to absorb lots of information in Civil Procedure and your other courses. In order to do that effectively, you need to "learn how to learn" law. One step in that process is learning how to read the materials you are assigned. This page contains links to handouts on how to approach reading statutes and cases.

Reading Statutes

We'll work on learning how to read statutes in two stages, with the help of the following handouts.

How to Read a Statute: The Cardinal Rules

How to Read a Statute: MAP It!

We'll work on learning how to read cases in three stages, again with the help of handouts:

How to Brief a Case:  1st Steps

How to Brief a Case:  Beyond the Basics

How to Brief a Case:  The Gold Standard

Sample Beyond the Basics Brief:  Saadah v. Farouki

Self-critique Sheet for Beyond the Basics Brief

Sample Gold Standard Brief:  Shaffer v. Heitner

Self-critique Sheet for Gold Standard Brief

Sample Gold Standard Brief:  Burnham v. Superior Court