CIVIAL LITIGATION
A. Defense
If you receive a civil summons, it means you are being sued. Lawsuits can range from breach of contract to fraud, from personal injuries, to employment law matters. There are hundreds of different types of cases broadly described as “civil litigation.”
If you are sued, the clock is ticking on several valuable legal rights. If you do nothing, you may “default,” which will usually result in an automatic victory for the other side. If you file a simple answer, you waive certain procedural tools you could otherwise use to get part or all of the lawsuit thrown out.
For that reason, if you are sued, you need to contact a lawyer immediately to advise you on how to proceed.
Our attorneys have extensive experience in a wide array of civil cases. No two cases are exactly alike, and having experienced counsel by your side can help you aggressively defend the lawsuit, raise appropriate counter-claims, and resolve the suit as favorably as possible.
In most cases, the parties settle well before trial. Our attorneys invest time in preparing for litigation to compel the other side into settlement talks. In most cases, we can arrange for a settlement that is fair while protecting your interests and your pocketbook.
In civil litigation, our highest priority is to add value to you. We guide our actions to achieving the best possible result at the lowest possible legal cost. Make no mistake: litigation is an expensive enterprise. However, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure; partnering with aggressive attorneys right from the start can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of the lawsuit.
B. Bringing a Lawsuit:
If you have been injured, cheated out of money, improperly fired, not paid on a contract, or had your rights violated, you may be entitled to sue. Civil litigation takes many forms, and knowing the legal “theory” under which to sue is an important first step in getting relief.
Initiating a lawsuit involves more than filing papers at the courthouse. In most cases, you will be required to conform your lawsuit to precise and exacting legal standards, and to serve the paperwork on the people or businesses you are suing. There are strict timelines governing the legal process, and technical mistakes can result in your lawsuit being summarily dismissed.
Because each case is different, our firm offers free consultations to people and businesses interested in bringing a lawsuit. At our free initial consultation, we will examine what happened, ask detailed questions, and give you our honest assessment of not just whether you can sue, but if it makes financial sense to do so. In many cases, we are able to resolve your dispute without going to trial, either through demands, arbitration, or case settlement.
Our attorneys have a wide-range of experience in both state and federal court, and can help you right wrongs by bringing the full brunt of our expertise to bear. Our focus is on your goals, and we offer assistance in a cost-effective way without sacrificing the quality of our representation.
C. Arbitration
Some disputes can be arbitrated or submitted to mediation. The choice to pursue arbitration can be made by the parties voluntarily, or can be provided for in a contract between them. Arbitration has definite advantages and risks. It is a low-cost alternative to litigation, as the legal fees to conduct arbitration are generally a fraction of the costs of trial. The decision is rendered very quickly, often just a few months after the arbitration is requested.
However, the arbitrator has broad discretion in fashioning a remedy, and their decisions are seldom open to judicial review. In other words, you get one shot at winning an arbitration case, and once the arbitrator makes up their mind, it is very unlikely the decision can be changed.
In those cases, we prepare the arbitration demand or response, and prepare material and witnesses for the hearings. By presenting a coherent case with supporting law, facts, and organization, we can give you the best possible chance of prevailing.