Civil Practice: Preparing for Trial 2025 Edition

Practical knowledge of discovery tactics and choice of remedy can make or break a case. This handbook leads the practitioner through the various types of discovery and remedies available in a civil action. It covers depositions and discovery; protecting litigation rights; tax aspects of litigation; injunctions; declaratory relief; voluntary and involuntary dismissal; default and default judgments; Illinois summary judgment; pretrial conferences; motions, requests, and notices in preparation for trial; and proof of facts in civil cases. It also includes editable sample forms for use in your practice.

Chapter 1 — Deposition and Discovery
Nicholas T. Motherway, Clifford Law Offices, Chicago

Chapter 2 — Protecting Litigation Rights
Laura E. Schrick and Melissa C. Meirink, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., Belleville

Chapter 3 — Tax Aspects of Litigation
Patrick B. Mathis and Chad J. Richter, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., Belleville and Edwardsville

Chapter 4 — Injunctions
Laura E. Schrick and Melissa C. Meirink, Mathis, Marifian & Richter, Ltd., Belleville

Chapter 5 — Declaratory Relief
Rebecca A. Drizner, Patterson Law Firm, LLC, Chicago

Chapter 6 — Voluntary and Involuntary Dismissal
Timothy R. Herman, Clark Hill PLC, Chicago

Chapter 7 — Default and Default Judgment
Brendan M. Murray, Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered, Chicago

Chapter 8 — Illinois Summary Judgment
Richard L. Miller II, Miller PC, Chicago

Chapter 9 — Pretrial Conference
Robert Marc Chemers and Sean C. Maloney, Pretzel & Stouffer, Chartered, and Jonathan L. Federman, Mohammad Ahmad, and William Irvin, Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani, LLP, Chicago

Chapter 10 — Final Preparations for Trial
Richard L. Miller II, Miller PC, Chicago

Chapter 11 — Motions, Requests, and Notices in Preparation for Trial
Richard L. Miller II, Miller PC, Chicago

Chapter 12 — Proof of Facts in Civil Cases
Richard L. Miller II, Miller PC, Chicago