Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Holding that a trial judge must ensure that all admitted expert testimony "is not only relevant, but reliable"

Markman v. Westview Instruments, Inc.

Holding that claim construction is a matter of law for the court

Griffith v. Wainwright

Holding that "an adverse party must be given express, ten-day notice of the summary judgment rules, of his right to file affidavits or other material in opposition to the motion, and of the consequences of default"

Milburn v. United States

Holding that 10-day notice was required even though moving party characterized its motion as one to dismiss or, in the alternative, for summary judgment

South Dakota ex Rel. Barnett v. U.S. Dept

Finding undue delay or prejudice the "principal consideration"

In re Eli Lilly & Co.

Ontel Prods., Inc. v. Project Strategies Corp.

Holding the first-filed rule was "inapplicable" "because the lawsuits were both filed on the same day"

U.S. v. Ritchie Special Credit Invest

Denying motion to intervene in bankruptcy proceeding and citing Ark. Elec. Energy Consumers v. Middle S. Energy, Inc. , 772 F.2d 401, 403 (8th Cir. 1985), which "den[ied] motion for intervention filed 12 days after commencement of action where a hearing already had been held and temporary restraining order issued"

Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians v. Minnesota

Holding that private landowners had a recognized interest at stake in a land-dispute litigation between a Band of Chippewa Indians and the State of Minnesota because the litigation would determine the Band members' rights to hunt, fish, and gather on the private landowners' property

Askin v. Quaker Oats Co.

Applying the first-to-file rule, noting that § 1404 would not counsel a different result, and staying the second-filed case

Rule 56 - Summary Judgment

Holding a party may move for summary judgment on any part of any claim or defense in the lawsuit

Section 1331 - Federal question

Finding that in order to invoke federal question jurisdiction, a plaintiff's claims must arise "under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States."

Rule 26 - Duty to Disclose; General Provisions Governing Discovery

Adopting Fed.R.Civ.P. 37

Rule 6 - Computing and Extending Time; Time for Motion Papers

Holding that "if the last day [of a period] is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the period continues to run until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday."

Rule 16 - Pretrial Conferences; Scheduling; Management

Adopting the sanctions authorized by Rule 37(b)

Rule 24 - Intervention

Granting the right of intervention to qualifying persons "unless existing parties adequately represent" them

Section 227 - Restrictions on use of telephone equipment

Granting exclusive jurisdiction to federal courts over actions brought by state attorney generals

Rule 408 - Compromise Offers and Negotiations

Holding that premature deliberations constituted an internal jury influence subject to the post-verdict restrictions of Rule 606(b)

Rule 43 - Taking Testimony

Granting a trial judge discretion to appoint an interpreter for trial

Rule 29 - Stipulations About Discovery Procedure

Requiring "written stipulation" for extension of response periods provided for in the rules of procedure