The Untold Stories

Written and produced by:
Marilyn J. Berger
Professor of Law at Seattle University School of Law
&
Henry Wigglesworth

• The videotape (30 minutes) consists of three segments discussing various aspects of the Anderson v. W.R. Grace case:
  • What is the case about?
  • Was bifurcation fair?
  • Did the truth come out in trial?
• Appropriate for Civil Procedure, Clinic, Introduction to U.S. Legal System, Professional Responsibility, Torts, and Toxic Torts classes.
• Use the tape as a short introduction to emphasize a difficult concept.
• Brief sections complement the regular class lecture.
• Differing perspectives from the Woburn families, the trial court judge, the author of A Civil Action, the jury, the witnesses, plaintiff and defense attorneys, reveal the adversarial nature of the U.S. legal system and facilitates class discussion.
• Issues include:
• Is the goal of a trial to search for the truth or to resolve a controversy?
• What is the purpose of a lawsuit in the U.S. legal system?
• Is finding the truth possible in a lawsuit?
• What does it mean to give plaintiffs a day in court?
• Course book is free with purchase of the tape:
• Four problems enhance classroom discussion.
• Brief exercises allow for role-playing, writing and researching.
• Law professors from around the country are currently incorporating Lessons from Woburn into their lectures.
• Lessons from Woburn: The Untold Stories is a perfect compliment to A Documentary Companion to a Civil Action.

See a clip of the videotape.