This volume presents a clear and concise overview of one of the most challenging topics covered in a standard 1L civil procedure course: subject matter jurisdiction of federal courts. Written by an award-winning classroom professor, this Nutshell makes extensive use of diagrams and flowcharts, while using scores of examples and hypotheticals, to illustrate key concepts. The book is targeted especially to students studying civil procedure, but it will also be of value for students in other courses covering topics such as federal courts, complex litigation, and civil rights. In addition, this volume will provide practitioners with a quick, clear refresher on the basics of federal civil jurisdiction.