Judgment NOV
A Judgment NOV (which stands for "Judgment Non Obstante Veredicto" or "Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict") is a legal procedure where a judge overturns a jury's verdict. Think of it as a safety check in the legal system - even after a jury makes a decision, a judge can change it if they believe the evidence clearly doesn't support the jury's conclusion. This term often appears in legal professionals' resumes to show their experience with complex trial procedures and post-trial motions. It's similar to other post-trial motions like "Motion for New Trial" or "Motion to Set Aside Verdict."
Examples in Resumes
Successfully argued Judgment NOV motions in 15 civil cases
Drafted and won JNOV motion in high-profile commercial litigation case
Advised senior partners on Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict strategy in medical malpractice cases
Typical job title: "Trial Attorneys"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Trial Attorneys
Legal Professional Networks
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Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: Can you explain a situation where you successfully handled a Judgment NOV motion?
Expected Answer: A senior attorney should describe their experience in detail, including how they identified grounds for the motion, their research process, and their success in arguing before the judge. They should also mention their strategy for preserving the issue for appeal.
Q: How do you evaluate whether a Judgment NOV motion is appropriate in a case?
Expected Answer: They should discuss analyzing evidence standards, reviewing trial transcripts, understanding applicable legal standards, and their experience in determining when such motions are likely to succeed versus when other post-trial options might be more appropriate.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the key elements you include when drafting a Judgment NOV motion?
Expected Answer: Should explain the basic structure of the motion, including citing relevant case law, analyzing evidence from trial, and explaining why the jury's verdict cannot stand as a matter of law.
Q: How do you research precedents for a Judgment NOV motion?
Expected Answer: Should describe their process for finding similar cases, using legal research tools, and applying relevant precedents to support their arguments.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is a Judgment NOV and when might it be used?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain that it's a judgment notwithstanding the verdict and describe basic situations where it might be appropriate, such as when evidence clearly doesn't support the jury's verdict.
Q: What's the difference between a Judgment NOV and a Motion for New Trial?
Expected Answer: Should explain that a JNOV overturns the jury's verdict while a motion for new trial asks for a complete do-over, and describe the different standards for each.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-3 years)
- Basic understanding of civil procedure
- Legal research and writing
- Assisting in motion preparation
- Case law research
Mid (3-7 years)
- Drafting post-trial motions
- Analyzing trial records
- Understanding procedural requirements
- Motion argument preparation
Senior (7+ years)
- Leading complex litigation strategy
- Arguing significant motions
- Training junior attorneys
- Expert witness handling
Red Flags to Watch For
- Lack of trial experience
- Poor understanding of civil procedure rules
- Limited research and writing skills
- No experience with post-trial motions
