For many individuals, being involved in a court case is very stressful and time consuming, and a lack of understanding of the entire legal process may cause some of that stress. For a business, it is critical to have a strong legal team working on its behalf to manage all aspects of a case or legal issue, and many companies employ their own legal counsel for that purpose. As an individual working within business environments, you may have occasion to participate in legal matters involving your organization—or to make decisions that have legal implications. It is very helpful, therefore, to have a solid understanding of how cases proceed through a court system, who are the individuals involved in the courtroom process, and which laws take priority in various situations.

• In each of the following situations, which source of law takes priority, and why?
  • The state statute conflicts with the common law of that state.
  • A federal statute conflicts with the U.S. Constitution.
  • A common-law decision in one state conflicts with the U.S. Constitution.
  • A federal statute conflicts with a state constitution.