Motion Practice
Motion Practice refers to the process of preparing, filing, and arguing legal motions in court. In simpler terms, it's when lawyers submit formal requests to a judge asking for specific actions or decisions before, during, or after a trial. This is a fundamental skill in law firms, similar to how basic paperwork processes are essential in any office. When you see this term on a resume, it means the candidate has experience in preparing these important legal documents and knows how to navigate the court's procedural requirements. It's like knowing the rules of the game and how to use them effectively to benefit their clients.
Examples in Resumes
Successfully handled over 100 Motion Practice cases in state and federal courts
Developed standardized templates for common Motion Practice procedures, improving efficiency by 40%
Trained junior associates in Motion Practice and Motion Writing techniques
Typical job title: "Litigation Attorneys"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Litigation Attorneys
Legal Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you manage complex motion practice across multiple cases with competing deadlines?
Expected Answer: A senior attorney should discuss their system for tracking deadlines, delegating tasks, maintaining quality control, and ensuring timely filing of all motions while managing junior attorneys' work.
Q: Describe a particularly challenging motion you handled and how you approached it.
Expected Answer: Looking for discussion of strategy development, research methodology, collaboration with team members, and how they overcame specific challenges in the motion process.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What is your process for drafting and reviewing dispositive motions?
Expected Answer: Should explain their approach to legal research, writing structure, incorporating case law, and internal review processes before filing.
Q: How do you handle emergency motions with short deadlines?
Expected Answer: Should discuss prioritization, time management, resource allocation, and maintaining quality under pressure.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the basic components of a legal motion?
Expected Answer: Should be able to describe the standard parts: caption, introduction, statement of facts, legal argument, and prayer for relief.
Q: How do you ensure compliance with local court rules when filing motions?
Expected Answer: Should explain their process for checking local rules, formatting requirements, and filing procedures specific to different courts.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic motion drafting
- Legal research
- Court filing procedures
- Following templates and examples
Mid (2-5 years)
- Independent motion preparation
- Managing multiple motion deadlines
- Oral arguments on motions
- Supervising junior attorneys
Senior (5+ years)
- Complex motion strategy
- Training other attorneys
- High-stakes motion practice
- Department management
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with court filings
- Poor writing skills
- Lack of attention to deadlines
- Unfamiliarity with legal research tools
- No courtroom experience
Related Terms
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