WHERE WE ARE & WHAT WE’RE DOING

1. WHERE WE ARE & WHAT WE’RE DOING • Pleading • Pre-trial • Trial & Post-trial • Judge/jury relationship • New Trial • Appeal

2. WHERE WE ARE & WHAT WE’RE DOING • Pleading • Pre-trial • Trial & Post-trial • Appeal • Who can appeal? • Finality

3. APPEALOverview • Appeal judgments, not reasoning • Losing parties (“adversity”) • No waiver • Final judgments

4. APPEALWho Can Appeal? • Aetna C. & S. Co. v. Cunningham, • p. 755, note 2 • Pl. Aetna Def. Cunningham (insured) Loss from failure to complete bldg. project • Req’d to repay under policy Pl. wins • Fraud Pl. loses

5. APPEALWaiver • Waiver • “Be fair to your trial judge” • Avoid unnecessary appeals • Practical problems • Juggling multiple issues • Clinic case

6. APPEALFinality • The Basic Rule • 28 U.S. C. § 1291 • Appeal lies from “all final decisions”

7. APPEALFinality • The Practical Questions • What’s a “final decision”? • Bureaucratic requirements • What’s the paperwork? • How do parties know when judgment is entered?

8. APPEALFinality • What’s a final decision? • Ends the lawsuit • On merits • Judgment • after bench trial • on jury verdict • JML rejecting verdict

9. APPEALFinality • What’s a final decision? • Ends the lawsuit • On merits • Judgment • after bench trial • on jury verdict • JML rejecting verdict • Procedurally • Wrong court • 12(b)(1),(2),(3) - no SMJ, PJ, venue • Doesn’t state claim • 12(b)(6) • Default

10. APPEALFinality • What’s a final decision? • A Complication: FR 54(b) • More than 1 claim for relief • Court may direct final judgment on < all • Express determination • No just reason for delay • Express direction for entry of judgment

11. APPEALFinality • Liberty Mut. Ins. Co. v. Wetzel, p. 764 • Who raised issue of appellate jurisdiction? • Cf. Grant of declaratory relief • Why consider alt. bases of jurisdiction?

12. APPEALFinality • The Policy Concerns • Judicial economy • “avoid piecemeal appeals • versus • Fairness • “Correct” decisions on merits