Abbreviated Table of Contents
CHAPTER
1. Fundamental Overview
CHAPTER 2. Is It Discoverable?
CHAPTER 3. Electronic, Digital and Other Media
CHAPTER 4. Weapon Selection, Attack and Enforcement
CHAPTER 5. Requests for Admissions
CHAPTER 6. Interrogatories
CHAPTER 7. Notices for Production
CHAPTER 8. Requests for Inspection
CHAPTER 9. Physical and Mental Examinations
CHAPTER 10. Depositions
CHAPTER 11. Subpoena Power
CHAPTER 12. Defending and Responding in General
CHAPTER 13. Defending Discovery's Limits
CHAPTER 14. Using The Work Product Doctrine
CHAPTER 15. Using Traditional Privileges
CHAPTER 16. Exposing Burdensome and Abusive Tactics
INDEX
Expanded Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1.
Fundamental Overview
§1.10 Introduction
§1.20 Contents
§1.30 Scope and Range
§1.40 Goals and Targets
§1.50 Boot Camp
§1.51 Step 1: Client Interrogation
§1.52 Step 2: Third Party Assistance [Lay and Expert]
§1.53 Step 3: Mandatory Disclosure
§1.54 Step 4: Judicially Approved Forms
§1.55 Step 5: Attorney Initiated Discovery
§1.56 Step 6: The War Begins
§1.60 Universal Strategy
§1.61 Universal Orders
§1.62 The Discovery Plan (i.e., The Battle Plan)
CHAPTER 2. Is It
Discoverable?
§2.10 What is the Scope of Discovery?
§2.11 Does Discovery Equate to
Admissibility?
§2.20 Is It Discoverable?
§2.21 Degree 1: Immediately
Discoverable
§2.22 Degree 2: Discoverable
§2.23 Degree 3: Discovery Qualified
§2.24 Degree 4: Discovery Unlikely
§2.25 Degree 5: Not Discoverable
§2.26 Degree 6: Never Discoverable
§2.30 Are Electronic and
Digital Information Discoverable?
§2.40 What Are the Available Discovery Weapons?
§2.50 Is There a List of Every Conceivable Defense to Any Discovery Demand?
§2.60 When Can My Client Destroy Records?
CHAPTER 3.
Electronic, Digital and Other Media
§3.10 Preservation and Destruction
§3.11 Arguments and Authority
§3.11(a) For the Discovering Party
§3.11(b) For the Target
§3.12 Spoliation
§3.20 Evidentiary Analysis
§3.21 Testimonial Evidence
§3.22 Documentary Evidence
§3.22(a) Sample Notice to Preserve
§3.22(b) Media Preservation
§3.22(c) Compliance
§3.22(d) Cost Shifting
§3.23 Real Evidence
§3.24 Demonstrative Evidence
§3.30 Terminology
§3:40 Electronic Discovery Checklists
§3:41 Sedona Principles
§3:42 Guerrilla Principles
§3.50 The Forms That You Need
Form 3.1 Motion
for Reconstruction of Electronic Data
Form 3.2 Motion to Shift Costs for Reconstructive
Electronic Data Discovery_
Form 3.3(a) Petition for TRO and Order to Show Cause
Prohibiting Defendant from Accessing Its
Computers Pending the Inspection of Mirror Image Bit
Stream Backups of All Relevant Electronic Data
Form 3.3(b) Response to Petition for TRO and Order to
Show Cause Prohibiting Defendant From
Accessing, Using or Booting its Computers Pending the
Inspection and Production of Mirror Image Bit
Stream Backups of all Relevant Electronic Data
Form 3.4 Plaintiff’s Interrogatories to Defendant
(Seeking Discovery of Computerized Documents
and Equipment)
Form 3.5 Declaration of Computer Expert in Support of
Relief Requested by Petitioner
CHAPTER 4. Weapon
Selection, Attack and Enforcement
§4.10 The Attack
§4.11 Weapons
§4.11(a) Requests for Admissions
§4.11(b) Interrogatories
§4.11(c) Notices for Production
§4.11(d) Demands for Inspection
§4.11(e) Physical and Mental Examinations
§4.11(f) Depositions
§4.12 The Range and Scope of Discovery [Rule 26]
§4.12(a) Rule 26(a)—Required Disclosures
§4.12(b) Rule 26(b)—Attorney Initiated Discovery
§4.12(c) Rule 26(c)—Protective Orders
§4.12(d) Rule 26(d)—Timing
§4.12(e) Rule 26(e)—Supplementation
§4.12(f) Rule 26(f)—Conference & Discovery Plan
§4.12(g) Rule 26(g)—Signatures
§4.13 State Counterparts [of Rule 26]
§4.20 Examination of Response
§4.30 Enforcement
§4.31 37 Caliber Ordinance [Rule 37]
§4.32 Other Enforcement Tools
§4.32(a) Rule 26(g)
§4.32(b) Rule 11
§4.32(c) Rule 16
§4.33 Enforcement in State Courts
§4.40 Follow-Up
§4.50 Appeals
§4.60 The Forms That You Need
Form 4.1 Report
Outlining Discovery Plan
Form 4.2 Combined Discovery Request
CHAPTER 5. Requests
for Admissions
§5.10 Basic Training and Strategy
§5.20 Drafting Your Requests and Timing Your Attack
§5.21 Drafting—Rules and Suggestions
§5.30 Admissions to Target
and Capture
§5.31 Facts Relevant to the Dispute
§5.32 Opinions
§5.33 Application of Law to Facts
§5.34 Foundations for Document Admissibility
§5.40 The Rules That You Need
§5.41 Federal Rules Pertaining to
Requests and Refusals
§5.50 Responding to the
Requests
§5.51 Denial
§5.52 Admission
§5.53 Partial Admission
§5.54 Qualified Admission
§5.55 Statement of Lack of Information
§5.56 Objection To Requests
§5.57 Motion for Protective Order
§5.60 Enforcing the Requests
§5.70 The Forms That You Need
Form 5.1 Requests
for Admissions
Form 5.2 Response to Requests for Admissions
Form 5.3 Initial Request Letter (Requiring Respondent
to Research Document)
Form 5.4 Initial Request Letter (Requiring Respondent
to Conduct Investigation)
Form 5.5 Motion in Limine to Preclude the Introduction
of Evidence Contradicting Respondent’s
Admissions
CHAPTER 6.
Interrogatories
§6.10 Basic Training and Strategy
§6.10(a) California’s Special Rule
§6.11 Anatomy of a Single Interrogatory
§6.12 The Interrogatory’s Advantages
§6.13 The Interrogatory’s Disadvantages
§6.14 Three Critical Considerations
§6.20 Tips for Timing Your
Attack
§6.30 Information to Target and Capture
§6.31 Identity and Capacity of
Responding Person
§6.32 Identity and Location of Witnesses and Parties
§6.33 Identity and Location of Evidence
§6.34 Elements of Your Claim or Defense
§6.35 The Enemy’s Pleading
§6.36 Non-Evidentiary Disclosures
§6.37 Enemy Expert Information
§6.40 The Rules That You Need
§6.41 Federal Rules Pertaining to
Interrogatories
§6.42 The States’ Rules
§6.50 Constructing Your
Interrogatories
§6.51 Preliminary Considerations
§6.52 Rules of Construction
§6.60 Responding to
Interrogatories
§6.61 Provide Answers
§6.62 State That Answers are Subject to Pending Discovery
§6.63 State a Lack of Information or Knowledge
§6.64 Elect To Produce Business Records
§6.65 Object To Questions
§6.66 Seek a Protective Order
§6.70 Enforcing the Requests
§6.80 The Forms That You Need
Form 6.1
Plaintiff’s Interrogatories to Defendant
Form 6.2 Defendant’s Interrogatories to Plaintiff
Form 6.3 Interrogatories - Contract/Accounting Related
Actions
Form 6.4 Interrogatories - Tort Related Actions
Form 6.5 Interrogatories - Defamation
Form 6.6 Interrogatories - Fraud
Form 6.7 Interrogatories - Vehicular Negligence
Form 6.7(a) Interrogatories - Vehicle/Bicycle Accident
Form 6.8 Interrogatories - Malpractice
Form 6.9 Interrogatories - Premises Liability
Form 6.9(a)
Interrogatories - Workplace Liability
Form 6.9(b)
Interrogatories - Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Form 6.10 Interrogatories - Product Liability
Form 6.11 Interrogatories - Domestic Relations
Form 6.12 Interrogatories - Testamentary Challenges
Form 6.13 Defendant’s Motion for a Protective Order
Form 6.14 Answers to Interrogatories
Form 6.15 Motion to Permit Service of Additional
Interrogatories
Form 6.16 Answers to Requesting Party’s First Set of
Interrogatories
Form 6.17 Objections to the Requesting Party’s First
Set of Interrogatories
Form 6.18 Responding Party’s Exercise of Option to
Produce Business Records in Response to
Requesting Party’s First Set of Interrogatories
Form 6.19 Enforcement for Interrogatories - Letters
Form 6.20 Motion to Compel Answers to Interrogatories
Form 6.21 Motion to Compel Supplemental Answers to
Interrogatories
Form 6.22 Motion to Compel Additional Answers to
Interrogatories
Form 6.23 Motion for Contempt Citation, Sanctions and
Dispositive Relief
Form 6.24 Answer to Motion to Compel Discovery
Form 6.25 Agreement for Extension - Letter
Form 6.26 Response to Motion to Compel Answers to
Interrogatories
Form 6.27 Response to Motion for Sanctions and
Dispositive Relief
CHAPTER 7. Notices
for Production
§7.10 Basic Training and Strategy
§7.11 Mixing Other Weapons
§7.12 The Document’s Strategic Significance
§7.20 Tips For Timing Your
Attack
§7.30 Identifying Your Quarry
§7.40 The Rules That You Need
§7.41 Federal Rules Pertaining to
Production of Documents
§7.42 The State Rules Pertaining to Production
§7.50 Constructing Your
Demands
§7.51 Three-Step Program
§7.52 Basic Rules of Construction
§7.52(a) Size Doesn’t Matter
§7.52(b) Little Big Words
§7.52(c) Safety In Numbers
§7.52(d) Mix Generals with Privates
§7.52(e) Keep it Simple
§7.52(f) Crush The Shell Game
§7.60 Responding to the
Requests
§7.61 Burial Alive
§7.62 The Sorcerer’s Mixture
§7.63 Exorcism
§7.64 Document Destruction
§7.70 Enforcing Compliance
§7.80 The Forms That You Need
Form 7.1 Notice
for Production of Documents
Form 7.1(a) Notice for
Production of Documents in a Specified Electronic Format
Form 7.1(b) Response to
Notice for Production of Documents in a Specified Electronic Format
Form 7.1(c) Cost Shifting
[Sharing] Request Letter [Responding to Notice for Production of
Documents in a Specified
Format]
Form 7.1(d) Response to Cost Shifting Request Letter
Form 7.2 Response to Notice for Production (Documents
Attached)
Form 7.3 Response to Notice for Production (Documents
Located Elsewhere)
Form 7.4 Response to Notice for Productions
(Objections)
Form 7.5 Motion to Compel Production
Form 7.6 Motion by Plaintiff for Adverse Inference
Form 7.7 Motion for Partial Summary Judgment by
Plaintiff
Form 7.8 Motion to Dismiss by Defendant for Failure to
Produce
CHAPTER 8. Requests for Inspection
§8.10 Basic Training and Strategy
§8.20 Tips for Timing Your Attack
§8.30 Dealing with Real Evidence
§8.31 Care and Handling of Real
Evidence
§8.32 Five Degrees of Inspection
§8.32(a) Degree One—Pure Observation
§8.32(b) Degree Two—Recording
§8.32(c) Degree Three—Possessory Inspection
§8.32(d) Degree Four—Non-Destructive Testing
§8.32(e) Degree Five—Destructive Testing
§8.40 The Rules That You Need
§8.41 Federal Rules Pertaining to
Inspection
§8.42 State Rules Pertaining to Inspection
§8.50 Constructing Your
Requests
§8.60 Responding to the Requests
§8.61 Compliance
§8.62 Objection and Delay
§8.63 Spoliation
§8.70 Enforcing Compliance
§8.80 The Forms That You Need
Form 8.1 Notice
for Inspection of Property
Form 8.2 Notice for Inspection and Examination of Real
Property
Form 8.3 Notice for Inspection and Examination of
Personal Property
Form 8.4 Response to Notice for Inspection of Property
(Acquiescence)
Form 8.5 Response to Notice for Inspection of Property
Form 8.6 Motion to Permit Inspection
Form 8.7 Day in the Life Video (Defendant’s Letter to
Plaintiff’s Attorney)_
Form 8.8 Day in the Life Video (Plaintiff’s Response to
Defendant’s Letter)
Form 8.9 Consent Order Pertaining to Filming of Day in
the Life Motion Picture
CHAPTER 9. Physical
and Mental Examinations
§9.10 Basic Training and Strategy
§9.20 Constructing and Timing Your Attack
§9.21 Ordering the Examination
§9.21(a) Notice
§9.21(b) Timing
§9.22 Obtaining the Examiner’s Reports
§9.30 Targets
§9.31 People Subject to Examination
§9.32 Taking Aim at the Examiner’s Reports
§9.40 The Rules That You Need
§9.41 Federal Rules Pertaining to
Physical and Mental Examinations
§9.42 State Rules Pertaining to Physical and Mental Examinations
§9.50 Defenses and
Countermeasures
§9.51 Compliance—Preparation for the
Examination
§9.52 Bringing an Observer
§9.53 Taping the Examination
§9.54 Objecting to the Examination
§9.60 Enforcing Compliance
§9.70 The Forms That You Need
Form 9.1 Notice
of Physical and Mental Examination
Form 9.2 Response to Notice for Physical and Mental
Examination
Form 9.3 Motion to Compel Physical/Mental Examination
Form 9.4 Plaintiff’s Motion for Sanctions for Improper
Testing
CHAPTER 10.
Depositions
§10.10 Basic Training and Strategy
§10.11 Introducing Hand to Hand
Combat
§10.12 Alternative Media
§10.12(a) Stenographically Recorded Depositions
§10.12(b) Audiotaped Depositions
§10.12(c) Videotaped Depositions
§10.12(d) Telephonic Depositions
§10.12(e) Videoconferenced Depositions
§10.12(f) Depositions Upon Written Questions
§10.20 The People That You
Intend to Depose
§10.21 Parties in General
§10.21(a) Enemy Parties
§10.21(b) Allied Parties
§10.22 Lay Witnesses
§10.23 Expert Witnesses
§10.23(a) Enemy Experts
§10.23(b) Allied Experts
§10.30 Tips for Timing and
Positioning Your Attack
§10.40 The Rules That You Need
§10.41 Federal Rules Pertaining to
Depositions
§10.50 Scheduling and Taking
the Deposition
§10.51 The Skills of Direct
Examination
§10.51(a) Client Preparation
§10.51(b) Tips for General Interrogation
§10.52 The Art of Cross-Examination [Direct Examination of Opponent]
§10.52(a) Cross-Examination Goals
§10.52(b) Critical Tips for an Effective Attack on the Deponent
§10.52(c) Quips and Tricks for Handling Difficult Deponents
§10.52(d) The Ten Commandments of Cross-Examination
§10.53 How to Combat Obnoxious Lawyers
§10.53(a) Generally Obnoxious Behavior
§10.53(b) Coaching During Interrogation
§10.53(c) Coaching Off-the-Record
§10.53(d) Obnoxious Objections
§10.54 How to Combat Obnoxious Deponents
§10.55 Guerrilla Deposition Checklist [From Reveille to Taps]
§10.56 Deposition Checklists for Specific Actions
§10.56(a) Uni-Party Checklist - Breach of Contract
§10.56(b) Uni-Party Checklist - Tort Actions
§10.60 Defending the
Deposition
§10.61 Preparing and Defending Your
Client
§10.61(a) Attacking the Notice of Deposition
§10.61(b) The Client Preparation Checklist
§10.61(c) Simulated Examination
§10.61(d) Attending the Deposition
§10.61(e) Terminating the Deposition
§10.61(f) Crash Course in Objection Warfare
§10.62 Preparing and Defending Your Expert
§10.70 Enforcement
§10.80 The Forms That You Need
Form 10.1 Notice
of Deposition (Basic)
Form 10.2 Petition to Allow Deposition Prior to
Commencement of Action to Preserve and Perpetuate
Testimony
Form 10.3 Notice of Deposition to Preserve and
Perpetuate Testimony (Prior to Commencement)
Form 10.4 Stipulations of Counsel Pertaining to
Discovery Depositions
Form 10.5 Notice of Deposition (To a Business Entity,
Agent Identified)
Form 10.6 Notice of Deposition (To a Business Entity,
Agent Unidentified)
Form 10.7 Notice of Deposition (To Records Custodian)
Form 10.8 Notice of Deposition (Non-Stenographic)
Form 10.9 Petition to Allow Deposition Pending Appeal
Form 10.10 Motion for Deposition Pending Appeal
Form 10.11 Motion for Additional Deposition
Form 10.12 Application for Commission
Form 10.13 Commission
Form 10.14 Combined Discovery Request
Form 10.15 Notice of Deposition and Notice for
Production of Documents (Non-Party)
Form 10.16 Objections to Notice of Deposition
Form 10.17 Motion to Quash Deposition Subpoena
Form 10.18 Motion to Terminate Deposition
Form 10.19 Motion for Costs for Failure to Issue
Deposition Subpoena
Form 10.20 Motion to Suppress Deposition
Form 10.21 Set-up Letter (Failure to Attend
Depositions)
Form 10.22 Motion to Compel Deposition
Form 10.23 Motion to Compel Deposition Upon Oral
Testimony
Form 10.24 Motion for Contempt Citation, Sanctions, and
Dispositive Relief
Form 10.25 Response to Set-up Letter (Failure to Attend
Depositions)
Form 10.26 Answer to Motion to Compel Deposition
Form 10.27 Answer to Motion for Sanctions and
Dispositive Relief
Form 10.28 Notice of Deposition (To Custodian of
Digital and Electronic Records)
Form 10.29 Motion to Preclude Interference
CHAPTER 11. Subpoena
Power
§11.10 Basic Training and Strategy
§11.11 Rousting the Townspeople
§11.11(a) Interrogating Friendly Third Parties
§11.11(b) Interrogating Enemy Collaborators
§11.11(c) Interrogating Neutral Witnesses
§11.20 Timing the Attack
§11.30 Dual Targets
§11.31 The Subpoena Ad Testificandum
§11.32 The Subpoena Duces Tecum
§11.40 The Rules That You
Need
§11.41 Rule 45 of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure
§11.42 The State Rules
§11.50 Construction
§11.60 Compliance and Response
§11.70 Enforcement
CHAPTER 12. Defending
and Responding in General
§12.10 Strategy and Philosophy
§12.20 Strategic Compliance
§12.30 Strategic Non-Compliance
§12.40 Paths Of Non-Compliance
§12.41 Circumvention
§12.41(a) The Burial Technique
§12.41(b) The Conference Demand
§12.41(c) Turnaround Refusal of Requesting Party to Comply
§12.42 Objection
§12.43 Motion for Protective Order
§12.44 Defending a Desperate Last Stand
§12.45 Asserting Excusable Neglect
§12.50 The Forms That You
Need
Form 12.1 Your
Dream Checklist
Form 12.2 Motion for a Non-Disclosure Protective Order
CHAPTER 13. Defending
Discovery’s Limits
§13.10 Threshold Defense Strategy
§13.20 The Scope of Discovery
§13.21 Discovery’s Outer
Perimeters—Relevance Redefined
§13.22 Discovery’s Defined Limitations
§13.23 Boundary-Defense Checklist
§13.24 The “Overbroad” Defense
§13.30 Inability To Comply
§13.31 Non-Existence of Subject
Matter
§13.32 Lack of Control
§13.33 Lack of Knowledge
§13.34 Incoherent Request
§13.40 Jurisdictional
Challenges
CHAPTER 14. Using The
Work Product Doctrine
§14.10 Basic Training
§14.11 Definition and Description
§14.12 Brief History
§14.20 The Basic Rules That
You Need
§14.21 Federal Rule of Civil
Procedure 26(b)
§14.22 The States’ Rules
§14.30 Instant Answer Chart
§14.31 Raw Facts, Legal Claims and
Real Evidence
§14.32 Expert Witness Opinions
§14.33 Ordinary Work Product
§14.34 Expert Advisory Assistance
§14.35 Opinion Work Product
§14.36 Unwritten Work Product
§14.40 Weapon-by-Weapon
Defense
§14.41 Defense to Requests for
Admissions
§14.42 Defense to Interrogatories
§14.43 Defense to Notices for Production
§14.44 Defense to Demands for Inspection
§14.45 Defense to Demands for Examinations
§14.46 Defense to Depositions
§14.50 Waivers
§14.60 Counteroffensives
CHAPTER 15. Using
Traditional Privileges
§15.10 Confidential Relationships in General
§15.11 Professional Privileges
§15.11(a) Attorney-Client Privilege
§15.11(b) Physician-Patient Privilege
§15.11(c) Therapist-Patient Privilege
§15.11(d) Clergyman-Penitent Privilege
§15.11(e) Accountant-Client Privilege
§15.11(f) Journalist-News Source Privilege
§15.12 Business and Administrative Privileges
§15.12(a) Trade Secrets and Business Confidences
§15.12(b) Legislative Deliberative Privileges
§15.12(c) Self-Critical Analysis Privilege
§15.13 Domestic Privileges
§15.13(a) Confidential Marital Communications
§15.13(b) Marital Testimonial Privilege
§15.13(c) Parent-Child Privilege
§15.14 Criminal Privileges
§15.14(a) Privilege Against Self-Incrimination
§15.14(b) Informant’s Privilege
§15.20 The Work Product
Doctrine
CHAPTER 16. Exposing
Burdensome and Abusive Tactics
§16.10 Abuse in General
§16.11 Ulterior Motives
§16.11(a) Blackmail
§16.11(b) Subterfuge
§16.11(c) Hostage Trade Off
§16.12 Interior Motives
§16.12(a) Aggressive Discovery
§16.12(b) Excessive Discovery
§16.20 Running for Cover
§16.21 Your Guiding Rules
§16.21(a) Step 1—Check for Certification-Rule Compliance
§16.21(b) Step 2—Apply for a Protective Order
§16.21(c) Step 3—Check Weapon-Specific Rules
§16.21(d) Step 4—Check Local Rules and Standing Orders
§16.22 Prepare Your Motion
§16.30 Abuse by the
Discoveree
§16.31 Abusive
Parties
§16.32 Abusive Non-Parties
INDEX
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