The Case Brief
Piper Aircraft v. Reyno pg 188
Facts: (I get really detailed with my facts in my briefs for this class in particular, for other classes I usually only have about 3 sentences of facts.)
π: Reyno ∆: Piper Aircraft
Issue: Should a case be dismissed on the grounds of forum non conveniens when all the witnesses and evidence are in another country, the other country’s jurors would be more connected to the problem, it is inconvenient to the parties to try the case in the jurisdiction where it was brought, and the other country’s law will be applied?
Procedural Posture: (Notice whether your teacher asks about procedural posture, because the only professor that really cared was my Civil Procedure Professor. You may be able to skip out on adding this part.)
District court -> Reyno loses.
Court of Appeals -> Reyno wins.
SCOTUS grants certiorari.
Rule: A plaintiff may not defeat a motion to dismiss on grounds of forum non conveniens merely by showing that the substantive law that would be applied in the alternative forum is less favorable to the plaintiffs than that of the present forum.
H & R: Yes. Judgment of the Court of Appeals is reversed. Reyno loses. The district court properly decided that the presumption in factor of the respondent’s forum choice applied with less than maximum force because the real parties in interest are foreign. It did not act unreasonably in deciding that the private interests point in interest are foreign. It did not act unreasonably in deciding that the public interests favored trial in Scotland.
Vocab: (This is totally optional, I just like to have this in case the professor asks.)
forum non conveniens: A doctrine permitting a court to dismiss a case over which it has jurisdiction if an alternate jurisdiction is more convenient for hearing the matter.
Gilbert Analysis: local interest in having localized controversies decided at home.
Outline Examples
Example 1: (TF stands for “trigger facts” and I usually use them for cases that are more complicated.)
(CLASS) CIVIL PROCEDURE → (SUBJECT) VENUE → (DOCTRINE) FORUM NON CONVENIENS
Example 2: (A shorter version, without trigger facts.)
CIV. PRO. → VENUE → FORUM NON CONVENIENS
Whether you are thinking about applying to law school, started the application process, a recently admitted student or even a law student like us: there is a lot of Law School Jargon that you will want to become familiar with. On the Ladies Who Law School Podcast we are bound to say a few of these terms and we hope that if you are familiar with them it will paint a picture of what our law school lives are really like.
LSAT- The Law School Admissions Test. This is a logic based test that has four different sections: logical reasoning, reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and an experimental section. The scores range from 120-180, with 180 being nearly perfect. #HarvardMaterial
Ways to study - What the ladies and their friends used:
LSAC - The Law School Admission Council. This is where you submit your applications, recommendation letters, etc. This is also where you register for the LSAT and where you can see the LSAT scores that schools typically accept.
Personal Statement - a short essay in which you articulate who you are and why you want to go to law school.
Recommendation Letters - a letter from an employer or professor that vouches for you and lets the admissions committee know why you would be a great asset to their law school.
Plaintiff (π) the person or entity that files the lawsuit
Defendant (∆) the person or entity being sued
Tort - a civil wrong that causes a claimant to suffer loss or harm, resulting in legal liability for the person who commits a tortious act
Civil Procedure a.k.a. Civ Pro - the rules and standards that courts follow when adjudicating civil lawsuits
Legal Research & Writing a.k.a. LRW→ A class focused on building legal writing, and research skills. Also the use of the Bluebook to learn how to properly cite.
Contracts - the area of law that governs making contracts, carrying them out and fashioning a fair remedy when there's a breach.
Property - the area of law that governs the various forms of ownership and tenancy in real property.
Criminal Law - the body of law that relates to crime. It proscribes conduct perceived as threatening, harmful, or otherwise endangering to the property, health, safety, and moral welfare of people inclusive of one's self.
0L - a student that is planning on attending law school
1L - First year law student
2L - Second year law student
3L - Third year law student
Cold Call - Being randomly called on in class to answer a question, using the socratic method.
ABA - American Bar Association.
Gunner - an overly-competitive law student who constantly volunteers in class, interrupts other students, or uses any method to flex on their knowledge.
O.C.I. - On-campus interviews
L.L.I. - Licensed Legal Intern
Case Briefs - a summary/analysis of a court opinion.
Facts - What is the court using in their analysis?
Issue - What is the court trying to decide?
Holding/Reasoning - “we hold, the court held”
Rule - Legal principle/black letter law which the court used for its decision in the case.
Casebooks - “textbooks”
Hornbooks - Books that serve as supplements to the casebooks.
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We have been asked many times “what do you wear in Law School” and “how can I prepare?” Here are our takes on how to get your wardrobe in tip-top shape before you hit the courtroom for the first time!
-silk/satin shells
-silk/satin tops that can stand alone
-multiple suits (especially when you get ready for interviews/summer jobs and volunteering)
-loafers (flats are life savers)
-chunky heeled CLOSED toe shoes
-slack pants
Shout out to Amal Clooney for great inspiration for the courtroom!
The Ladies Top Picks (with links)
What we could not live without:
Haylie: a tweed jacket, snake skin loafers, joggers and a Madewell tee
Samantha: rothy’s, allbirds, tweed skirt, georgia gear, and a hydroflask