I previously reviewed and enthusiastically recommended the first two editions of an invaluable and comprehensive treatise for commercial litigators titled Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts, published in 1998 and 2005. The third edition has recently been published, and it is readily apparent that the authors and editor-in-chief Robert Haig have once again provided an indispensable tool for all litigators who handle matters in the federal courts, regardless of their seniority or particular area of practice. It is a go-to resource that contains an up-to-date compendium of both substantive and procedural law, as well as practical insights, tips and strategies that neither electronic research nor other federal court treatises can provide.
The expanded treatise is an 11-volume set that is composed of 130 chapters, including 34 new chapters not included in the second edition. The chapters are authored by 229 experienced practitioners and 22 distinguished federal judges from around the country. Because each chapter is written by a leading practitioner or judge, it contains personal nuggets of wisdom and sage advice that are just as valuable, if not more so, than the thorough legal analyses and extensive citations to precedent found in each chapter. The different perspectives, experiences and voices of the many authors make this treatise unique and very enjoyable to read. A number of prominent Pennsylvania judges and litigators have contributed to the treatise: U.S. District Judge Michael M. Baylson of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Kelly Eckel and Sandra Jeskie of Duane Morris (Chapter 78: Contracts); Judge Paul Diamond and Mathieu Shapiro of Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel (Chapter 72: Director and Officer Liability); Chief Judge Petrese Tucker and Abbe Fletman of Flaster Greenberg (Chapter 120: Government Entity Litigation); H. Robert Fiebach and Jennifer McHugh of Cozen O'Connor (Chapter 16: Issue and Claim Preclusion); James D. Pagliaro of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius (Chapter 19: Class Actions); and Laura Ellsworth and Charles Moellenberg Jr. of Jones Day (Chapter 14: Multidistrict Litigation).
