THE COMPLETE CIVIL LITIGATOR
On Demand Seminar
ITEM #:  1745652401   |   EVENT CODE:  492555
STANDARD PRICE
$295.00
MSBA MEMBER, NEW LAWYER, AND OTHER DISCOUNTS, IF APPLICABLE, WILL BE APPLIED DURING CHECKOUT.

ONLINE

Available 24/7

To claim CLE credit, view by:  October 25, 2025

Depending on the jurisdiction in which you practice, you may or may not be able to claim credit for viewing this on demand seminar. Please check with your licensing agency for accreditation information.

The Complete Civil Litigator

Answers to all the questions you’ve always wanted to ask!

Originally presented:  October 26, 2023     |     Course length:  6.0 hours


Get insights and nuances only available from our expert panel. 

Our faculty of experienced Minnesota litigators will address the key questions that arise in each stage of the litigation process, including:  

  • Commencing an Action
  • Responding to a Complaint
  • Class Actions and Multi-District Litigations (MDLs)
  • Fact Discovery
  • Working with Experts
  • Dispositive Motions and Other Pre-Trial Motions
  • Settlement
  • Trial Part I – Voir Dire, Jury Instructions, Openings and Closings
  • Trial Part II – Presenting the Evidence
  • Damages and Other Remedies
  • Post-Trial Proceedings


PLUS:  FREE for All Attendees!
All on demand attendees will receive an electronic copy of our NEW publication, The Complete Civil Litigator’s Quick Answer Book, containing answers, legal authority, commentary and practice tips for the questions discussed in the course.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS  (5 MINUTES)


Commencing an Action  (30 MINUTES)

  • What should I consider if I want to initiate a lawsuit?
  • What must my complaint include to survive a motion to dismiss?
  • When is an amendment to a complaint allowed?
  • And more!

– Katie Crosby Lehmann & Heather M. McElroy


Responding to a Complaint  (30 MINUTES)

  • What are the first questions I should ask myself when a client sends a complaint that was just served?
  • Do I respond to the complaint with a motion or an answer?
  • How do I handle difficult and true allegations?
  • And more!

– Thomas J. Radio


Class Actions and Multi-District Litigations (MDLs)  (30 MINUTES)

  • What is the difference between a class action and an MDL?
  • What role does early motion practice play in class actions and MDLs?
  • How do discovery and settlement strategy vary between them?
  • And more!

– Shawn M. Raiter & Genevieve M. Zimmerman


Fact Discovery  (30 MINUTES)

  • When suit is commenced, what is my client required to do to preserve electronic and other evidence?
  • What should my objectives be for written discovery, including third-party discovery?
  • How do I most effectively prepare my client to be deposed?
  • And more!

– Tracey Holmes Donesky


Working with Experts  (30 MINUTES)

  • How do you go about finding and retaining a qualified expert?
  • What part of the expert’s file is subject to discovery?
  • How can you best prepare your expert to withstand a Frye-Mack or Daubert challenge?
  • And more! 

– Brian N. Johnson & Randall E. Kahnke


Dispositive Motions and Other Pre-Trial Motions  (30 MINUTES)

  • What is the current decisional landscape for summary judgment motions in Minnesota?
  • Are there strategic reasons not to bring a motion for summary judgment?
  • Are there strategic reasons to bring motions in limine instead of waiting to address the issues at trial?
  • And more!

– Theresa M. Bevilacqua & Mark R. Bradford


Q & A  (15 MINUTES)


Settlement  (30 MINUTES)

  • What are the risks and potential benefits of a Pierringer settlement to plaintiffs and defendants?
  • What should the parties consider before including a confidentiality clause in a settlement?
  • When should the parties consider a structured settlement?
  • And more! 

– Kathy S. Kimmel & Richard C. Scattergood


Trial: Part I  (30 MINUTES)

  • What are some ways to develop rapport with potential jurors?
  • What should my objectives be for an effective opening?
  • What can I reasonably expect to accomplish in my closing?
  • And more!

– Nathan H. Bjerke & Todd Wind


Damages and Other Remedies  (30 MINUTES)

  • How are compensatory damages calculated, and what factors are considered in determining the amount?
  • When can punitive damages be awarded, and what is the standard for their assessment?
  • What equitable remedies and injunctive relief are available, and in what situations are they appropriate?
  • And more!

– Scott A. Benson & Mark J. Briol


Trial: Part II
  (30 MINUTES)

  • What are the steps for laying proper foundation for witness testimony during trial?
  • How do you, and when should you, impeach a witness and refresh a witness’s recollection?
  • How should evidence and objections be handled in a court trial versus a jury trial?
  • And more!

– Kenya C. Bodden & Janel M. Dressen


Post-Trial Proceedings  (30 MINUTES)

  • What are the most important steps to take before and during trial to preserve my ability to appeal evidentiary issues post-trial?
  • Can I still appeal if I don’t bring any post-trial motions?
  • My client has a judgment in their favor.  Can I enforce it immediately?
  • And more!

– Erica A. Holzer & Katherine S. Barrett Wiik


Q & A  (15 MINUTES)

$295

Other discounts that may apply:

Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.

Minnesota CLE is applying to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for 6.0 standard CLE credits. The maximum number of total credits attendees may claim for this program is 6.0 credits.

Minnesota CLE also has applied to the Minnesota State Bar Association for 6.0 civil trial specialist credits.

Depending on the jurisdiction in which you practice, you may or may not be able to claim credit for viewing this on demand seminar. Please check with your licensing agency for accreditation information.

STANDARD PRICE
$295.00
MSBA MEMBER, NEW LAWYER, AND OTHER DISCOUNTS, IF APPLICABLE, WILL BE APPLIED DURING CHECKOUT.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOU (10 items):