1. CIVIL PROCEDURE
1.1. I. JURSIDICTION & VENUE
1.1.1. A. Federal subject matter jurisdiction (federal question, diversity, supplemental, and removal)
1.1.2. B. Personal jurisdiction
1.1.3. C. Service of process and notice
1.1.4. D. Venue, forum non conveniens, and transfer
1.2. II. LAW APPLIED BY FEDERAL COURTS
1.2.1. A. State law in federal court
1.2.2. B. Federal common law
1.3. III. PRETRIAL PROCEDURES
1.3.1. A. Preliminary injunctions and temporary restraining orders
1.3.2. B. Pleadings and amended and supplemental pleadings
1.3.3. C. Rule 11
1.3.4. D. Joinder of parties and claims (including class actions)
1.3.5. E Discovery (including e-discovery), disclosure, and sanctions
1.3.6. F. Adjudication without a trial
1.3.7. G. Pretrial conference and order
1.4. IV. JURY TRIALS
1.4.1. A. Right to jury trial
1.4.2. B. Selection and composition of juries
1.4.3. C. Requests for and objections to jury instructions
1.5. V. MOTIONS
1.5.1. A. Pretrial motions, including motions addressed to face of pleadings, motions to dismiss, and summary judgment motions
1.5.2. B. Motions for judgments as a matter of law (directed verdicts and judgments notwithstanding the verdict)
1.5.3. C. Posttrial motions, including motions for relief from judgment and for new trial
1.6. VI. VERDICTS & JUDGMENTS
1.6.1. A. Defaults and involuntary dismissals
1.6.2. B. Jury verdicts—types and challenges
1.6.3. C. Judicial findings and conclusions
1.6.4. D. Effect; claim and issue preclusion
1.7. VII. APPEALABILITY & REVIEW
1.7.1. A. Availability of interlocutory review
1.7.2. B. Final judgment rule
1.7.3. C. Scope of review for judge and jury
2. CRIMINAL LAW & PROCEDURE
2.1. I. HOMICIDE
2.1.1. A. Intended killings
2.1.1.1. 1. Premeditation, deliberation
2.1.1.2. 2. Provocation
2.1.2. B. Unintended killings
2.1.2.1. 1. Intent to injure
2.1.2.2. 2. Reckless and negligent killings
2.1.2.3. 3. Felony murder
2.1.2.4. 4. Misdemeanor manslaughter
2.2. II. OTHER CRIMES
2.2.1. A. Theft and receiving stolen goods
2.2.2. B. Robbery
2.2.3. C. Burglary
2.2.4. D. Assault and battery
2.2.5. E. Rape; statutory rape
2.2.6. F. Kidnapping
2.2.7. G. Arson
2.2.8. H. Possession offenses
2.3. III. INCHOATE CRIMES; PARTIES
2.3.1. A. Inchoate offenses
2.3.1.1. 1. Attempts
2.3.1.2. 2. Conspiracy
2.3.1.3. 3. Solicitation
2.3.2. B. Parties to crime
2.4. IV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES
2.4.1. A. Acts and omissions
2.4.2. B. State of mind
2.4.2.1. 1. Required mental state
2.4.2.2. 2. Strict liability
2.4.2.3. 3. Mistake of fact or law
2.4.3. C. Responsibility
2.4.3.1. 1. Mental disorder
2.4.3.2. 2. Intoxication
2.4.4. D. Causation
2.4.5. E. Justification and excuse
2.4.6. F. Jurisdiction
2.5. V. CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS OF ACCUSED PERSONS
2.5.1. A. Arrest, search and seizure
2.5.2. B. Confessions and privilege against self-incrimination
2.5.3. C. Lineups and other forms of identification
2.5.4. D. Right to counsel
2.5.5. E. Fair trial and guilty pleas
2.5.6. F. Double jeopardy
2.5.7. G. Cruel and unusual punishment
2.5.8. H. Burdens of proof and persuasion
2.5.9. I. Appeal and error
3. TORTS
3.1. I. INTENTIONAL TORTS
3.1.1. A. Harms to the person
3.1.1.1. 1. Assault
3.1.1.2. 2. Battery
3.1.1.3. 3. False imprisonment
3.1.1.4. 4. Infliction of mental distress
3.1.1.5. 5. Harms to property interests,
3.1.1.5.1. a. Trespass to land
3.1.1.5.2. b. Chattels
3.1.1.5.3. c. Conversion
3.1.2. B. Defenses to claims for physical harms
3.1.2.1. 1. Consent
3.1.2.2. 2. Privileges and immunities:
3.1.2.2.1. a. Protection of self and others
3.1.2.2.2. b. Protection of property interests
3.1.2.2.3. c. Parental discipline
3.1.2.2.4. d. Protection of public interests
3.1.2.2.5. e. Necessity
3.1.2.2.6. f. Incomplete privilege
3.2. II. NEGLIGENCE
3.2.1. A. The duty question
3.2.1.1. 1. Failure to act
3.2.1.2. 2. Unforeseeable plaintiffs
3.2.1.3. 3. Obligations to control the conduct of third parties
3.2.2. B. The standard of care
3.2.2.1. 1. The reasonably prudent person
3.2.2.1.1. a. Children
3.2.2.1.2. b. Physically and mentally impaired individuals
3.2.2.1.3. c. Professional people
3.2.2.1.4. d. Other special classes
3.2.2.2. 2. Rules of conduct derived from statutes and custom C. Problems relating to proof of fault, including res ipsa loquitur
3.2.3. D. Problems relating to causation
3.2.3.1. 1. But for and substantial causes
3.2.3.2. 2. Harms traceable to multiple causes
3.2.3.3. 3. Questions of apportionment of responsibility
3.2.3.3.1. a. Among multiple tortfeasors
3.2.3.3.2. b. Joint liability
3.2.3.3.3. c. Several/Severable liability
3.2.4. E. Limitations on liability and special rules of liability
3.2.4.1. 1a. Problems relating to “remote” or “unforeseeable” causes
3.2.4.2. 1b. Problems relating to “legal” or “proximate” cause
3.2.4.3. 1c. Problems relating to “superseding” causes
3.2.4.4. 2. Claims against owners and occupiers of land
3.2.4.5. 3. Claims for mental distress not arising from physical harm; other intangible injuries
3.2.4.6. 4. Claims for pure economic loss
3.2.5. F. Liability for acts of others
3.2.5.1. 1. Employees and other agents
3.2.5.2. 2. Independent contractors and nondelegable duties
3.2.6. G. Defenses
3.2.6.1. 1. Contributory fault
3.2.6.1.1. a. Common law contributory negligence
3.2.6.1.2. b. Last clear chance
3.2.6.1.3. c. The various forms of comparative negligence
3.2.6.2. 2. Assumption of risk
3.3. III. STRICT & PRODUCTS LIABILITY
3.3.1. A. Common law strict liability
3.3.1.1. 1. Claims arising from abnormally dangerous activities
3.3.1.2. 2. Defenses to such claims;
3.3.2. B. Claims against manufacturers and other defendants
3.3.2.1. 1. Arising out of the manufacture and distribution of products,
3.3.2.2. 2. Defenses to such claims
3.4. IV. OTHER TORTS
3.4.1. A. Claims based on nuisance, and defenses
3.4.2. B. Claims based on defamation and invasion of privacy, defenses, and constitutional limitations
3.4.3. C. Claims based on misrepresentations, and defenses
3.4.4. D. Claims based on intentional interference with business relations, and defenses
4. CONTRACTS
4.1. I. FORMATION OF CONTRACTS
4.1.1. A. Mutual assent
4.1.1.1. 1. Offer and acceptance
4.1.1.2. 2. Indefiniteness or absence of terms
4.1.1.3. 3. Implied-in-fact contract
4.1.1.4. 4. “Pre-contract” obligations based on reliance
4.1.2. B. Consideration
4.1.2.1. 1. Bargain and exchange and substitutes for bargain: “moral obligation,” reliance, and statutory substitutes
4.1.2.2. 2. Modification of contracts: preexisting duties
4.1.2.3. 3. Compromise and settlement of claims
4.2. II. DEFENSES TO ENFORCEABILITY
4.2.1. A. Incapacity to contract
4.2.2. B. Duress
4.2.3. C. Undue influence
4.2.4. D. Mistake, misunderstanding
4.2.5. E. Fraud, misrepresentation, and nondisclosure
4.2.6. F. Illegality, unconscionability, and public policy
4.2.7. G. Statute of frauds
4.3. III. PAROL EVIDENCE & INTERPRETATION
4.4. IV. PERFORMANCE, BREACH & IMPACT
4.4.1. A. Conditions
4.4.1.1. 1. Express
4.4.1.2. 2. Constructive
4.4.1.3. 3. Obligations of good faith and fair dealing in performance and enforcement of contracts
4.4.1.4. 4. Suspension or excuse of conditions by waiver, election, or estoppel
4.4.1.5. 5. Prospective inability to perform: effect on other party
4.4.2. B. Impracticability and frustration of purpose
4.4.3. C. Discharge of contractual duties
4.4.4. D. Express and implied warranties in sale-of-goods contracts
4.4.5. E. Substantial and partial breach and anticipatory repudiation
4.5. V. REMEDIES
4.5.1. A. Measure of damages for breach; protecting the expectation interest
4.5.2. B. Consequential damages: causation, certainty, and foreseeability
4.5.3. C. Liquidated damages and penalties
4.5.4. D. Avoidable consequences and mitigation of damages
4.5.5. E. Rescission and reformation
4.5.6. F. Specific performance; injunction against breach; declaratory judgment
4.5.7. G. Restitutionary and reliance recoveries
4.5.8. H. Remedial rights of breaching parties
4.6. VI. THIRD-PARTY RIGHTS
4.6.1. A. Third-party beneficiaries
4.6.1.1. 1. Intended beneficiaries
4.6.1.2. 2. Incidental beneficiaries
4.6.1.3. 3. Impairment or extinguishment of third-party rights
4.6.1.4. 4. Enforcement by the promisee
4.6.2. B. Assignment of rights and delegation of duties
5. CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
5.1. I. THE NATURE OF JUDICIAL REVIEW
5.1.1. A. Organization and relationship of state and federal courts in a federal system
5.1.2. B. Jurisdiction
5.1.2.1. 1. Congressional power to define and limit
5.1.2.2. 2. The Eleventh Amendment and state sovereign immunity
5.1.3. C. Judicial review in operation
5.1.3.1. 1. The “case or controversy” requirement, including the prohibition on advisory opinions, standing, ripeness, and mootness
5.1.3.2. 2. The “adequate and independent state ground”
5.1.3.3. 3. Political questions and justiciability
5.2. II. THE SEPARATION OF POWERS
5.2.1. A. The powers of Congress
5.2.1.1. 1. Commerce, taxing, and spending powers
5.2.1.2. 2. War, defense, and foreign affairs powers
5.2.1.3. 3. Power to enforce the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
5.2.1.4. 4. Other powers
5.2.2. B. The powers of the president
5.2.2.1. 1. As chief executive, including the “take care” clause
5.2.2.2. 2. As commander in chief
5.2.2.3. 3. Treaty and foreign affairs powers
5.2.2.4. 4. Appointment and removal of officials
5.2.3. C. Federal interbranch relationships
5.2.3.1. 1. Congressional limits on the executive
5.2.3.2. 2. The presentment requirement and the president’s power to veto or to withhold action
5.2.3.3. 3. Non-delegation doctrine
5.2.3.4. 4. Executive, legislative, and judicial immunities
5.3. III. THE RELATION OF NATION AND STATES IN A FEDERAL SYSTEM
5.3.1. A. Intergovernmental immunities
5.3.1.1. 1. Federal immunity from state law
5.3.1.2. 2. State immunity from federal law, including the 10th Amendment
5.3.2. B. Federalism-based limits on state authority
5.3.2.1. 1. Negative implications of the commerce clause
5.3.2.2. 2. Supremacy clause and preemption
5.3.2.3. 3. Authorization of otherwise invalid state action
5.4. IV. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
5.4.1. A. State action
5.4.2. B. Due process
5.4.2.1. 1. Substantive due process
5.4.2.1.1. a. Fundamental rights
5.4.2.1.2. b. Other rights and interests
5.4.2.2. 2. Procedural due process
5.4.3. C. Equal protection
5.4.3.1. 1. Fundamental rights
5.4.3.2. 2. Classifications subject to heightened scrutiny
5.4.3.3. 3. Rational basis review
5.4.4. D. Takings
5.4.5. E. Other protections, including the privileges and immunities clauses, the contracts clause, unconstitutional conditions, bills of attainder, and ex post facto laws
5.4.6. F. First Amendment freedoms
5.4.6.1. 1. Freedom of religion and separation of church and state
5.4.6.1.1. a. Free exercise
5.4.6.1.2. b. Establishment
5.4.6.2. 2. Freedom of expression
5.4.6.2.1. a. Content-based regulation of protected expression
5.4.6.2.2. b. Content-neutral regulation of protected expression
5.4.6.2.3. c. Regulation of unprotected expression
5.4.6.2.4. d. Regulation of commercial speech
5.4.6.2.5. e. Regulation of, or impositions upon, public school students, public employment, licenses, or benefits based upon exercise of expressive or associational rights
5.4.6.2.6. f. Regulation of expressive conduct
5.4.6.2.7. g. Prior restraint, vagueness, and overbreadth
5.4.6.3. 3. Freedom of the press
5.4.6.4. 4. Freedom of association
6. EVIDENCE
6.1. I. PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE
6.1.1. A. Introduction of evidence
6.1.1.1. 1. Requirement of personal knowledge
6.1.1.2. 2. Refreshing recollection
6.1.1.3. 3. Objections and offers of proof
6.1.1.4. 4. Lay opinions
6.1.1.5. 5. Competency of witnesses
6.1.1.6. 6. Judicial notice
6.1.1.7. 7. Roles of judge and jury
6.1.1.8. 8. Limited admissibility
6.1.2. B. Presumptions
6.1.3. C. Mode and order
6.1.3.1. 1. Control by court
6.1.3.2. 2. Scope of examination
6.1.3.3. 3. Form of questions
6.1.3.4. 4. Exclusion of witnesses
6.1.4. D. Impeachment, contradiction, and rehabilitation
6.1.4.1. 1. Inconsistent statements and conduct
6.1.4.2. 2. Bias and interest
6.1.4.3. 3. Conviction of crime
6.1.4.4. 4. Specific instances of conduct
6.1.4.5. 5. Character for truthfulness
6.1.4.6. 6. Ability to observe, remember, or relate accurately
6.1.4.7. 7. Impeachment of hearsay declarants
6.1.4.8. 8. Rehabilitation of impeached witnesses
6.1.4.9. 9. Contradiction
6.1.5. E. Proceedings to which evidence rules apply
6.2. II. RELEVANCY & REASONS FOR EXCLUDING RELEVANT EVIDENCE
6.2.1. A. Probative value
6.2.1.1. 1. Relevancy
6.2.1.2. 2. Exclusion for unfair prejudice, confusion, or waste of time
6.2.2. B. Authentication and identification
6.2.3. C. Character and related concepts
6.2.3.1. 1. Admissibility of character
6.2.3.2. 2. Methods of proving character
6.2.3.3. 3. Habit and routine practice
6.2.3.4. 4. Other crimes, acts, transactions, and events
6.2.3.5. 5. Prior sexual misconduct of a defendant
6.2.4. D. Expert testimony
6.2.4.1. 1. Qualifications of witnesses
6.2.4.2. 2. Bases of testimony
6.2.4.3. 3. Ultimate issue rule
6.2.4.4. 4. Reliability and relevancy
6.2.4.5. 5. Proper subject matter for expert testimony
6.2.5. E. Real, demonstrative, and experimental evidence
6.3. III. PRIVILEGES & OTHER POLICY EXCLUSIONS
6.3.1. A. Spousal immunity and marital communications
6.3.2. B. Attorney-client and work product
6.3.3. C. Physician/psychotherapist-patient
6.3.4. D. Other privileges
6.3.5. E. Insurance coverage
6.3.6. F. Remedial measures
6.3.7. G. Compromise, payment of medical expenses, and plea negotiations
6.3.8. H. Past sexual conduct of a victim
6.4. IV. WRITINGS, RECORDINGS, & PHOTOGRAPHS
6.4.1. A. Requirement of original
6.4.2. B. Summaries
6.4.3. C. Completeness rule
6.5. V. HEARSAY & CIRCUMSTANCES OF ITS ADMISSIBILITY
6.5.1. A. Definition of hearsay
6.5.1.1. 1. What is hearsay
6.5.1.2. 2. Prior statements by witness
6.5.1.3. 3. Statements attributable to party-opponent
6.5.1.4. 4. Multiple hearsay
6.5.2. B. Present sense impressions and excited utterances
6.5.3. C. Statements of mental, emotional, or physical condition
6.5.4. D. Statements for purposes of medical diagnosis and treatment
6.5.5. E. Past recollection recorded
6.5.6. F. Business records
6.5.7. G. Public records and reports
6.5.8. H. Learned treatises
6.5.9. I. Former testimony; depositions
6.5.10. J. Statements against interest
6.5.11. K. Other exceptions to the hearsay rule
6.5.12. L. Right to confront witnesses
7. REAL PROPERTY
7.1. I. OWNERSHIP
7.1.1. A. Present estates
7.1.1.1. 1. Fees simple
7.1.1.2. 2. Defeasible fees simple
7.1.1.3. 3. Life estates
7.1.2. B. Future interests
7.1.2.1. 1. Reversions
7.1.2.2. 2. Remainders, vested and contingent
7.1.2.3. 3. Executory interests
7.1.2.4. 4. Possibilities of reverter, powers of termination
7.1.2.5. 5. Rules affecting these interests
7.1.3. C. Cotenancy
7.1.3.1. 1. Types
7.1.3.1.1. a. Tenancy in common
7.1.3.1.2. b. Joint tenancy
7.1.3.2. 2. Severance
7.1.3.3. 3. Partition
7.1.3.4. 4. Relations among cotenants
7.1.3.5. 5. Alienability, descendibility, devisability
7.1.4. D. The law of landlord and tenant
7.1.4.1. 1. Types of holdings: creation and termination
7.1.4.1.1. a. Terms for years
7.1.4.1.2. b. Tenancies at will
7.1.4.1.3. c. Holdovers and other tenancies at sufferance
7.1.4.1.4. d. Periodic tenancies
7.1.4.2. 2. Possession and rent
7.1.4.3. 3. Assignment and subletting
7.1.4.4. 4. Termination (surrender, mitigation of damages, and anticipatory breach)
7.1.4.5. 5. Habitability and suitability
7.1.5. E. Special problems
7.1.5.1. 1. Rule Against Perpetuities: common law and as modified
7.1.5.2. 2. Alienability, descendibility, and devisability
7.1.5.3. 3. Fair housing/discrimination
7.2. II. RIGHTS IN LAND
7.2.1. A. Covenants at law and in equity
7.2.1.1. 1. Nature and type
7.2.1.2. 2. Creation
7.2.1.3. 3. Scope
7.2.1.4. 4. Termination
7.2.2. B. Easements, profits, and licenses
7.2.2.1. 1. Nature and type
7.2.2.2. 2. Methods of creation
7.2.2.2.1. a. Express
7.2.2.2.2. b. Implied
7.2.2.2.3. c. Prescription
7.2.2.3. 3. Scope
7.2.2.4. 4. Termination
7.2.3. C. Fixtures (including relevant application of Article 9, UCC)
7.2.4. D. Zoning (fundamentals other than regulatory taking)
7.3. III. CONTRACTS
7.3.1. A. Real estate brokerage
7.3.2. B. Creation and construction
7.3.2.1. 1. Statute of frauds and exceptions
7.3.2.2. 2. Essential terms
7.3.2.3. 3. Time for performance
7.3.2.4. 4. Remedies for breach
7.3.3. C. Marketability of title
7.3.4. D. Equitable conversion (including risk of loss)
7.3.5. E. Options and rights of first refusal
7.3.6. F. Fitness and suitability
7.3.7. G. Merger
7.4. IV. MORTGAGES/SECURITY DEVICES
7.4.1. A. Types of security devices
7.4.1.1. 1. Mortgages (including deeds of trust)
7.4.1.1.1. a. In general
7.4.1.1.2. b. Purchase-money mortgages
7.4.1.1.3. c. Future-advance mortgages
7.4.1.2. 2. Land contracts
7.4.1.3. 3. Absolute deeds as security
7.4.2. B. Some security relationships
7.4.2.1. 1. Necessity and nature of obligation
7.4.2.2. 2. Theories: title, lien, and intermediate
7.4.2.3. 3. Rights and duties prior to foreclosure
7.4.2.4. 4. Right to redeem and clogging equity of redemption
7.4.3. C. Transfers by mortgagor
7.4.3.1. 1. Distinguishing “subject to” and “assuming”
7.4.3.2. 2. Rights and obligations of transferor
7.4.3.3. 3. Application of subrogation and suretyship principles
7.4.3.4. 4. Due-on-sale clauses
7.4.4. D. Transfers by mortgagee
7.4.5. E. Payment, discharges, and defenses
7.4.6. F. Foreclosure
7.4.6.1. 1. Types
7.4.6.2. 2. Rights of omitted parties
7.4.6.3. 3. Deficiency and surplus
7.4.6.4. 4. Redemption after foreclosure
7.4.6.5. 5. Deed in lieu of foreclosure
7.5. V. TITLES
7.5.1. A. Adverse possession
7.5.2. B. Transfer by deed
7.5.2.1. 1. Warranty and nonwarranty deeds (including covenants for title)
7.5.2.2. 2. Necessity for a grantee and other deed requirements
7.5.2.3. 3. Delivery (including escrows)
7.5.3. C. Transfer by operation of law and by will
7.5.3.1. 1. In general
7.5.3.2. 2. Ademption
7.5.3.3. 3. Exoneration
7.5.3.4. 4. Lapse
7.5.3.5. 5. Abatement
7.5.4. D. Title assurance systems
7.5.4.1. 1. Recording acts (race, notice, and race-notice)
7.5.4.1.1. a. Indexes
7.5.4.1.2. b. Chain of title
7.5.4.1.3. c. Protected parties
7.5.4.1.4. d. Priorities
7.5.4.1.5. e. Notice
7.5.4.2. 2. Title insurance
7.5.5. E. Special problems
7.5.5.1. 1. After-acquired title (including estoppel by deed)
7.5.5.2. 2. Forged instruments and undelivered deeds
7.5.5.3. 3. Purchase-money mortgages
7.5.5.4. 4. Judgment and tax liens