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03/21/2008

Colorado Civil Pretrial Handbook

Denver partner Mary Price Birk, who serves as Co-Chair of the firm's National Employment Litigation Practice Team, has authored a book, "Colorado Civil Pretrial Handbook," published by Bradford Publishing Co.

The book is a practitioner's guide to navigating the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure from the initial client contact up until trial, containing case law references, sample forms, and a road map to guide attorneys through the continually changing Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.

A review of the book in the August 2008 edition of The Colorado Lawyer, a publication of the Colorado Bar Association, stated: "[The book] is a highly readable and organized work that is indispensable for any attorney with a civil litigation practice . . . Pretrial Handbook would be a valuable mainstay in every civil practitioner's library."

In the book Birk breaks down each of the major (and most frequently used) Rules into a summary of the rule, relevant legal authorities, and helpful practice tips following the chronology of the litigation process. She also points out discrepancies and possible traps for the practitioner to avoid.

A summary of the material presented by Birk in her book:

  • Covers pretrial practice in depth, including written discovery and depositions, experts, motion practice, and more.
  • How to obtain critical information from clients, taking depositions, preparing briefs, and other steps in trial preparation. 
  • Focuses on the Colorado rules of civil procedure covering the pretrial process, and the skills needed during those proceedings.
  • What you need to do before filing the lawsuit. 
  • Drafting Complaints, Answers, Motions, Temporary Restraining Orders, Preliminary Injunctions 
  • Case Management Orders 
  • Mandatory Disclosures 
  • Discovery 
  • Default Judgments 
  • Summary Judgment Motions