This fifth edition, like its predecessors, builds on the traditional model of the Federal Courts course but also emphasizes giving students the grounding they need to be effective litigators in both state and federal courts. The book provides a coherently organized and accessible approach to issues of federalism, separation of powers, and institutional competency, while also calling attention to the challenges (and opportunities) that the law of Federal Courts presents for lawyers in practice. It includes all the classic Federal Courts cases as well as some lower court decisions addressing issues not resolved by the Supreme Court.

Carefully designed problems—many based on real cases—require students to apply statutory and doctrinal materials to particular situations that a client may face. Recognizing that many students will spend the bulk of their practice in state courts, the book gives extended and systematic attention to the litigation of federal issues in state courts. The new edition retains the streamlined organization of the fourth edition but substitutes newly decided cases to reflect developments in Supreme Court jurisprudence as well as litigation practice.