Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial, 2025 ed. (The Rutter Group Practice Guide)

Federal Civil Procedure Before Trial is an authoritative procedural guide on pretrial practice in California and Ninth Circuit federal courts, containing comprehensive coverage of federal court jurisdiction, together with a detailed focus on removal and remand, pleadings, motion practice, discovery, and all other pretrial stages of a lawsuit. It includes key citations to federal statutes and cases, local rules, and invaluable court-tested forms and practice pointers reflecting years of litigation experience.

You will find expert insights on:

• Subject matter jurisdiction
• Personal jurisdiction
• Venue
• Service of process
• Defaults
• Parties
• Pleadings
• Attacking the pleadings
• Actions with special procedural requirements
• Discovery
• Motion practice
• Injunctions
• Summary judgment
• Pretrial conference and settlement procedures
• Other motions and procedures
• Sanctions

Written by preeminent legal experts, our comprehensive Rutter Group Practice Guides are indispensable resources for both novice and seasoned attorneys, providing accessible, authoritative guidance. Thoughtfully crafted in concise, easy-to-read outline format, our guides simplify intricate legal concepts into clear, step-by-step instructions that facilitate swift mastery and application.

• Practice Guides include relevant case law, statutes, and court rules, focusing on issues facing practicing attorneys. Pivotal decisions illuminate key points, rather than just providing lists of citations, preparing counsel for various contingencies.
• Practitioners benefit from practical guidance that logically breaks down topics and procedures into manageable steps, illustrated with examples from actual cases that highlight traps for the unwary.
• Esteemed authors provide expert insights, including battle-tested strategies, tactics, time-saving tips, and "Practice Pointers" to equip you with the wisdom of experienced practitioners.
• Comprehensive content is updated and revised by our authors and meticulously edited by Rutter Group attorney editors, ensuring you stay abreast of the latest legal developments.
• Rutter Group Practice Guides are frequently cited as authority in state and federal court opinions, which proves their reliability.