Page 8 - SAMPLE LINKEDLAW DESKBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Seven
The Response to the Complaint
D. SAMPLE
§ 7.1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 7-1
§ 7.2 RECEIPT OF THE COMPLAINT AND INITIAL CONTACTS .................................................................... 7-1
A. Identification of Conflicts of Interest ................................................................................................ 7-1
1. The Parties ........................................................................................................................... 7-1
2. The Witnesses ...................................................................................................................... 7-2
B. Joint Representation Considerations ............................................................................................. 7-3
C. Insurance Coverage ....................................................................................................................... 7-3
D. Introductory Retention Letter to Client ............................................................................................ 7-4
1. Duty to Preserve Evidence ................................................................................................... 7-5
2. Duty to Preserve Electronically Stored Information ............................................................. 7-5
E. Introductory Communication to Opposing Counsel ....................................................................... 7-6
F. Communications to Key Nonparty Witnesses ................................................................................ 7-6
§ 7.3 INITIAL DEFENSE CONSIDERATIONS................................................................................................... 7-7
A. Has Service Been Properly Made? ................................................................................................ 7-7
1. Service of the Summons and Complaint.............................................................................. 7-7
2. Personal Service Upon an Individual ................................................................................... 7-8
3. Personal Service Upon Partnerships, Associations, Corporations, and
Limited Liability Companies.................................................................................................. 7-9
B. Has the Action Been Filed Within One Year From Commencement? ..........................................7-11
C. Have the Parties Been Correctly Identified? ................................................................................ 7-13
D. Is Jurisdiction Proper? .................................................................................................................. 7-14
1. Personal Jurisdiction .......................................................................................................... 7-14
2. Subject-Matter Jurisdiction ................................................................................................. 7-16
3. The Primary Jurisdiction Doctrine ...................................................................................... 7-16
E. Arbitration ...................................................................................................................................... 7-17
F. Is Venue Proper? .......................................................................................................................... 7-18
G. Plaintiff May Not Raise a Claim for Punitive Damages in the Initial Complaint ........................... 7-18
H. Has Plaintiff Provided an Affidavit of Expert Review? .................................................................. 7-19
1. Medical Malpractice Claims................................................................................................ 7-19
2. Professional Negligence Claims ........................................................................................ 7-20
3. Plaintiff’s Request for Attorney Fees .................................................................................. 7-20
§ 7.4 TIME FRAME IN WHICH TO RESPOND TO COMPLAINT ................................................................... 7-21
A. Deadline After Service of the Summons ....................................................................................... 7-21
B. Court’s Direction Pursuant to Minnesota Rule of Civil Procedure 4.043 ..................................... 7-21
C. Deadline After Service of Process Upon the Secretary of State .................................................. 7-21
Requests for Extension of Time to Answer Complaint ................................................................. 7-21
§ 7.5 EFFECT OF FAILURE TO TIMELY RESPOND ..................................................................................... 7-22
A. Default Judgment .......................................................................................................................... 7-22
1. General Rule ...................................................................................................................... 7-22
2. Applicability to Counterclaims and Cross-Claims .............................................................. 7-23