Workshops Archives

The Motion for Default Judgment

This month, we’ll discuss The Motion for Default Judgment. This is the legal procedure used by plaintiffs to get a damage award when a defendant completely ignores the summons. It happens far too often in debt collection, foreclosure, and other cases where a big business sues someone who can’t afford a lawyer or fight back on their own. But it also happens when someone like you sues a big business that neglects to respond in time. It’s payday! We’ll walk through the process of getting final judgment against a defendant who can’t be bothered.

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Defending Against a Debt Collection Claim

This month, we’ll get into the weeds on Defending Against a Debt Collection Claim. The specific counts may vary — a breach of contract here, an account stated there, and so on. But the best defenses, while well-tested in the courts, are rarely asserted by pro se defendants fighting off their creditors. So we’ll walk through the strongest defenses to help you win your debt collection battle.

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Filing a Counterclaim

This month, we’ll explore the power of Filing a Counterclaim to transform a defendant into a claimant and potentially get a money judgment against the plaintiff. It forces the plaintiff to mount a defense, stops a plaintiff from running away to end the case, and often motivates a quick settlement. There are tips for handling a counterclaim as a plaintiff, too.

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Statutes, Codes & Rules

This month, we’ll dive deep on Statutes, Codes & Rules and the legal procedures defined by them. Turns out there are substantive laws that give us rights and procedural laws that spell out how to assert them. When you understand the difference, you will better navigate the stages of your case and be more effective in getting the court to enforce your rights.

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Motions to Punish

This month, we’ll discuss Motions to Punish, which can be used to stop your opponent’s bad behavior. You’ll see lots of misbehavior as a pro se litigant – from lying to the court to hiding evidence and more – because lawyers think they can abuse you. But courts have procedures to powerfully address these bad acts.

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Suing for Personal Injury

This month, we’ll step into the shoes of someone injured in a car wreck and Suing for Personal Injury. All civil cases have similar challenges in moving from complaint to appeal, but each claim is different. Let’s use a real personal injury to walk through the stages of this all-too-common legal battle.

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Appellate Motions and Motion Practice

This month, we’ll discuss Appellate Motions and their impact on the appeals process. Appellate briefs are only part of the story. Motions filed in the appellate court can temporarily stop judgments, add new evidence to the record, return issues to the trial court, and many other things. Let’s talk about them!

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Building Community

You asked; we delivered. This month, we’ll discuss the value of Building Community and introduce Courtroom5’s new pro se community. Get early access to a space dedicated to the pro se experience and the Personal Practice of Law. You’ll set up your profile so others can find and connect with you, choose your notifications, explore the various features and posts, and announce your presence with a post of your own.

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Trial Motions

This month, we’ll discuss Trial Motions to obtain court orders during trial and immediately before and after trial. While the pleadings and the evidence collected in discovery set the table for trial, these motions are your final chance to balance the scales in your favor.

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Selecting Affirmative Defenses

This month, we’ll discuss Selecting Affirmative Defenses to fight the claims against you. This goes for defendants opposing a plaintiff’s complaint as well as plaintiffs opposing a defendant’s counterclaims. We’ll look at ways to avoid liability for the most common claims.

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Finding and Using Expert Witnesses

This month, we discuss Finding and Using Expert Witnesses to support your case. Not every case needs expert testimony, but every case can be improved with a knowledgeable objective MacGyver who has studied your facts. We’ll look at cost-effective ways to get smart people on your side.

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Giving a Deposition

This month, we discuss Giving a Deposition without giving your case away. When your opponent sends you a deposition notice, you should prepare for tricks and pressure tactics to make you testify against yourself. If you’re not ready on Deposition Day, you may say things under oath that can and will be used against you. We’ll share strategies for getting through a likely hostile conversation unscathed.

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Taking a Deposition

This month, we discuss Taking a Deposition, the process of collecting testimony from a potential witness before trial. If your opponent lists a witness for trial, you’ll want to hear that testimony before a judge or jury hears it so you can prepare to challenge it. Even if they’re not listed for trial, deposing a hostile witness can suss out information your opponent may be hiding. We’ll share strategies for getting to the meat of the matter.

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Appealing a Non-Final Order

This month, we discuss the process of Appealing a Non-Final Order. Sometimes a judge’s order wrecks your case so badly that you can’t get a fair trial until it’s reversed. But there’s a high bar to having your appeal heard by a higher court in the middle of the case. We’ll share common rules of appellate procedure and tips for getting a non-final order reversed.

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Appealing a Final Judgment

This month, we walk through the process of Appealing a Final Judgment. Your loss in the trial court need not be the final word. But your appeal to a higher court must be error-free to have a chance of being heard. We’ll share typical rules of appellate procedure and tips for getting a judgment reversed.

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