Internet research question for lawyers/law students.

[Floogeldy]

I'm looking for a free way to find federal case law discussing a particular federal rule of civil procedure.

Is there a place where I can search federal cases for free?

Thanks,

Floog

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Try this:

http://www.findlaw.com will probably have what you need. There's also Cornell Law School, which has a good online library.

[Floogeldy]

2. Oh, thank you, but . . .

. . . I tried those. Perhaps I didn't dig deep enough but they really weren't much help.

B-)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. What, exactly, do you need to know?

I might be able to help you focus your query -- I do a fair amount of online research.

[Floogeldy]

6. Specifically

I need authority upholding a trial court's decision to deny a plaintiff leave to amend petition.

"Rule 15 -- Amended and Supplemental Pleading

. . . . a party may amend the party's pleading only by leave of court or by written consent of the adverse party; and leave shall be freely given when justice so requires . . . ."

I have local authority that leave can be denied, in the discretion of the trial court, if it would prejudice the other party, if the amendment is sought for dilatory purposes, etc . . . .

I need federal district court or appellate court cases upholding denials of requests for leave to amend.

B-)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. I found a brief that cites some cases.

Most of the time, motions to amend are granted. But there might be some stuff here. Also, check the Wright & Miller treatise if you can get to a law library.

http://cyberlaw.stanford.edu/about/cases/GovtOppMot2Amend.pdf

[Floogeldy]

10. This is very helpful.

It is a good, almost lengthy discussion; exactly what I need. Thank you, ocelot.

Yes, I am going to this hearing knowing that the judge will probably grant leave to amend. But I am going to take the opportunity to put several bugs in the judge's ear, and bees in his bonnet, so he will be on notice that the allegations contained in the amended petition are frivolous and without merit. It never hurts to beat up a judge prior to trial, so he might recall earlier impressions while hearing the case on it's merits and wherein I will repeat my arguments to trigger his memory. I'll probably draft a trial brief, too.

B-)

[merh]

3. google

advanced search - you will be surprised how well it works.

Just be sure you limit your query.

[Floogeldy]

8. Good idea

I got some interesting results, but they are kind of all over the place.

Maybe I can refine my query.

Thanks.

B-)

Edit: This method is very time consuming. I can get a one month, $12 subscription to versuslaw.com and get more specific results. I may be looking for something that is not easily available on the free Internet, or is too time consuming. I hope ocelot shows me up!

[OldLeftieLawyer]

5. Whoa!

I just had a BAD flashback to my first year of law school.

That double period of Civil Procedure (for a total of 4 hours) on Friday afternoon.

All the dope we had to smoke to get through it.

The time I knew so clearly what a scintilla was, and stood to explain it to the professor before my friends could hold me down.

How, after twenty minutes of jabbering, the professor kindly told me to sit down, but all I could think of was how much I wanted chocolate cake.

Some serious traumas just never leave, I guess ..................

[Floogeldy]

7. Ha ha!

B-)