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Law Practice

Apr. 20, 2002

More Is Better

Recently, while in L.A. Superior Court on a demurrer hearing, I heard an exasperated judge pose this question: Why do you plaintiffs' lawyers think you have to plead so many different causes of action based on the same fact pattern?

Timothy D. Reuben

Founder and CEO Reuben, Raucher & Blum

Phone: (310) 777-1990

Email: treuben@rrbattorneys.com

Reuben is the founder and CEO at Reuben Raucher & Blum. Alongside his extensive career as a civil litigator specializing in complex matters at both the trial and appellate level, he serves pro bono as a temporary judge and settlement officer for the Los Angeles Superior Court, as well as a fee arbitrator for the LA County Bar.

Recently, while in L.A. Superior Court on a demurrer hearing, I heard an exasperated judge pose this question: Why do you plaintiffs' lawyers think you have to plead so many different causes of action based on the same fact pattern?

The judge was struggling with a workload which included one 260-page complaint with 86 different causes of action. He pointed out the difference between contract and tort, and both theories just don't always apply. Moreover, he noted that not every...

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