myGPS : Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

WHAT LAWYERS WHO PRACTICE IN THIS FIELD DO

Civil litigators represent parties in disputes in state and federal court, in administrative tribunals, and in alternate dispute proceedings such as arbitration and mediation. Such disputes are between two or more people or entities, and remedies usually include money or judgments that require a party to do something or to stop doing something.

Civil litigation cases can include matters such as landlord/tenant cases, personal injury cases, breach of contract cases, employment discrimination cases, business/commercial disputes, real estate law, and medical malpractice, among others.

Attorneys who practice in this area can work for law firms, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or corporations.
Civil litigators may develop a specialty or focus area over time; however, this pathway lists courses that would be generally useful in any type of civil practice.

COURSES THAT CAN PREPARE YOU

The Chase curriculum requires foundational courses for all students and offers additional courses for specialized expertise.

Required

Civil Procedure I & II
Torts I & II
Constitutional Law I & II
Evidence

Advanced

Remedies
Advanced Torts
E-Discovery
Insurance Law
Kentucky Practice & Procedure

Skills

Deposition Strategies
Interviewing, Counseling & Negotiating
Legal Drafting - Litigation
Mediation
Applied Complex Litigation
Pretrial Litigation
Trial Advocacy
Voir Dire Strategies
Witness Preparation
Advanced Appellate Advocacy

Experiential

Constitutional Litigation Clinic
Sixth Circuit Clinic

FACULTY MEMBERS WHO TEACH CIVIL LITIGATION-RELATED COURSES

Professors

John Bickers
Anthony Chavez
Ursula Doyle
Jack Harrison
Dennis Honabach
Kenneth Katkin
Jennifer Kinsley
Jennifer Kreder
Michael Mannheimer
David Singleton
Jeffrey Standen
Henry Stephens

Adjunct Faculty Members

Erin Corken
Joseph Mordino
Steven Ray
Thomas Rouse
Judge Karen Thomas
Scott Van Nice
Stephen Wirthlin, Jr.

CAREER PATH EXPERIENCES THAT CAN SET YOU APART

Here are some of the ways in which to develop necessary practice skills.

Work as a summer associate or law clerk at a law firm, nonprofit, or government agency handling civil litigation cases.
Complete an internship or externship with a federal or state court judge overseeing civil litigation cases.
Complete skills courses to develop necessary advocacy, negotiation, client counseling, and drafting skills.
Take advantage of networking opportunities to meet civil litigators.
Shadow civil litigators or observe courtroom proceedings to learn more about this area of practice.
Participate in skills competitions such as the Opening Statement Competition, Closing Argument Competition, Client Counseling Competition, or Arbitration Competition.

BAR EXAMINATION FACTOR

Civil Procedure and Evidence are tested with both essay and multiple choice questions in nearly all jurisdictions. Many, but not all, practice areas are also tested on the bar exam; check your jurisdiction’s website for specific topics tested.

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