Courtroom5

Be Your Own Lawyer

By Leave a Comment

When Opposing Counsel Wants Mediation, Prepare For Trial

Nothing in litigation is fast and easy. In fact, when you’re representing yourself, fast and easy is a fantasy. So, when in the thick of a case, you’re sitting at a table being deposed by (1) two youngish “good cop” lawyers wearing suits and benevolent smiles, and (2) a crusty old geezer attorney wearing a buzz cut, torn jeans, a shirt he picked up from a pile of discarded donations, and a scowl, you know things certainly won’t be fast or easy. So prepare for trial.

And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.

By Leave a Comment

3 Legal Letters Every Pro Se Litigant Should Know About

Most communication in litigation with an opposing party is by way of motions, pleadings, discovery requests, and the occasional email. But from time to time, it’s necessary to communicate via a letter before or during litigation. Below, we discuss three of the most important party-to-party legal letters–the letter of protection, the spoliation letter, and the demand letter.

And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.

By Leave a Comment

Best Blog Posts For Pro Se Litigants — The 2019 Edition

In previous years, we balanced our blog with posts about legal news, access to justice issues, civil procedure, and how to. In 2019, we posted more hard hitting how-to, legal strategy, and civil procedure articles. They’re amongst our top posts. We took on topics like writing amendments to pleadings, a useful “support team” for pro se litigants, and defeating summary judgment. Still, we had time to focus on lawyer behaviors, Courtroom5 in the news, and pro se litigant types. 2019 was a successful blogging year for us. Thank you for your support of our blog.

And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.

By 16 Comments

Did You Come To Appease Or To Conquer? The 5 Types Of Pro Se Litigants

The way we approach litigation says a lot about our odds in court. If our approach is not ideal, the good news is that we can change. Yes, there are types of pro se litigants, defined by skill, knowledge, emotion, and personality. Discover your type to identify and address your weaknesses and boost your chances of success. In other words, come to conquer, not to appease.

And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.

By Leave a Comment

Do You Live In A Judicial Or Non-Judicial Foreclosure State?

There must be a formal process for turning over a home from a borrower to a lender. Though foreclosures  in non-judicial states may be more difficult for self-represented litigants, you can have your day in court no matter where you live. Your job is to figure out what the process is in your state and throw a monkey wrench into it.

And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.

By Leave a Comment

Do You Really Need Legalese In Your Pro Se Motions?

Not all lawyers use words like comes now, hereinafter, and wherefore. Many, in fact, see them as legalese that gets in the way of plain speech. But improper use of these words can make you look incompetent and hurt your case. So, if you want them in your motions or pleadings, know what they mean and how to properly use them. If you leave them out, know how to eliminate them from your documents.

And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.

By 6 Comments

How To Stay On Offense When You Represent Yourself

After five months with no activity, you’re slapped with a summary judgment motion that could end your case prematurely, and not in your favor. You could’ve prepared, but you’d decided to let things die down and respond as necessary. Now you’re paying for it. It’s always better to stay on offense when you’re engaged in battle.

And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.

By 4 Comments

6 Reasons Lawyers And Self-Represented Litigants Don’t Play Well Together

Can’t we all just get along? Uh. No, at least not when adversarial positioning is the name of the game. Litigation is all about confrontation, taking a side, advocating for a desired outcome, and doing what needs to be done to come out on top. Self-represented litigants and lawyers might seem to be a natural matchup in this type of environment. After all, one needs a lawyer and the other is a lawyer. Yet, for the 6 reasons below, bringing the two together is not a piece of cake.

And if you need help representing yourself in civil court, it’s time to join Courtroom5.