LibGuides: Experiential Learning Research Guide: Federal Litigation and Appeals Clinic

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Federal Litigation and Appeals Clinic

The Kline School of Law Federal Litigation and Appeals Clinic, taught by Professor Richard Frankel and Adjunct Professor Katelyn Hufe, offers students the unique opportunity to represent clients and practice law before federal courts and agencies. As with our other clinics, students in this clinic provide valuable legal services to needy individuals who otherwise would not be able obtain legal representation. Clinic students have represented people in a wide variety of subject-matters, including immigration and asylum, constitutional rights, criminal law, disability rights and prisoner mistreatment.

Federal Court Rules

Federal Rules and Forms in Effect
Overarching rules for the federal courts from the U.S. Courts website.
Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure
The Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure govern procedure in the United States courts of appeals.
Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure govern procedures for bankruptcy proceedings.
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure govern civil proceedings in the United States district courts.
Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure
The Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure govern criminal proceedings and prosecutions in the U.S. district courts, the courts of appeals, and the Supreme Court.
Federal Rules of Evidence
The Federal Rules of Evidence govern the admission or exclusion of evidence in most proceedings in the United States courts.
U.S. Supreme Court Rules
The Rules of the Supreme Court of the United States govern practice before the Supreme Court.

Federal Courts: Secondary Sources

Federal Practice & Procedure (Wright & Miller) by Charles A. Wright & Arthur R. Miller
Call Number: KF8840.W68

Affectionately known as Wright and Miller, this is one of the classic treatise for civil procedure and one of the classic treatises of law in general. This set covers all elements of federal practice, including civil, criminal and appellate procedure. The library currently subscribes to the print edition. The digital edition is available through the Westlaw link above.
Moore's Federal Practice - Civil by Allan D. Vestal & Philip B. Kurland
A venerable treatise on federal civil procedure, providing an exhaustive review of civil practice before the federal courts. Available from Lexis.

Quick Links

Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)
The federal court system's database of case and docket information. Searching is very limited and usually requires party name, docket number and court. A modest fee is charged for downloading documents.

Federal Courts: Local Rules

Westlaw: Federal Local Court Rules
Westlaw's collection of federal courts' local rules, organized by state.
Third Circuit
District of Delaware
District of New Jersey
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Middle District of Pennsylvania
Western District of Pennsylvania

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