Dean Morande

Writs are formal written commands developed in English common law more than a thousand years ago. Despite the antiquated Latin terminology, when properly understood writs provide a critical avenue for immediate and...more Judges and jurists alike champion the notion that rehearings should be used sparingly and only when the conditions are just right. A lesser known concept is that sometimes a motion for rehearing is absolutely necessary to...more Many jurisdictions have rules that allow an appellate court to affirm a judgment for any reason supported by the record, regardless of the actual basis articulated by the trial court. This general rule, however, is not...more We previously wrote about the requirements many jurisdictions impose for affidavits or declarations submitted in conjunction with motions for summary judgment, including that they must be based on personal knowledge, show the...more