Civil Litigation

If you are involved in a legal dispute seeking money damages, our civil litigation attorney may be able to help you. Civil litigation refers to any legal dispute between two parties seeking specific performance or monetary compensation as opposed to criminal sanctions for the wrongful actions involved. A lawyer who works primarily in civil litigation is known as a trial lawyer or litigator. Such lawyers provide representation during trials, hearings, arbitrations, and mediations in tribunals, state, and local courts and before administrative agencies.

Civil Litigation Case Results

Civil Litigation Categories

There are a wide variety of types of civil litigation disputes. Most civil litigators specialize in one or two specific areas of practice for more in-depth knowledge and experience. Some of the most common types of civil litigation include real estate, environmental law, landlord/tenant issues, products liability, personal injury, intellectual property, medical malpractice, employment law, construction, anti-trust, workers’ compensation and education law.

Litigator Roles

The role of most litigators is to provide representation for clients through the often adversarial process of going to trial or through arbitration. A civil litigation attorney often works extensive hours during trial and may travel if the case requires it. Your civil litigation attorney should work hard to provide you with the representation you need during the challenging litigation process.

Litigation Timeline

Civil litigation follows seven general stages, including investigation, pleadings, discovery, pre-trial, trial, settlement, and appeal. While not all lawsuits pass through each litigation stage, each stage is important. Most lawsuits are settled prior to actually going to trial, and most verdicts are not appealed. The lifespan of a civil trial ranges from several months to a few years, depending on the complexity of the case. Complex cases can take years from the pre-suit stage to settlement. The discovery process is often the most taxing stage of litigation as most of it is spent conducting research and due diligence. The amount of time spent at trial is generally not as significant as people believe.

Litigation Skills

Your civil litigation attorney should possess certain skills that are crucial to litigation practice. Knowledge of substantive and procedural law is key, as are strong written and oral advocacy skills. Your lawyer should also be able to synthesize complex legal materials and demonstrate superior interpersonal skills. A knowledge of legal research techniques and software as well as client development and negotiation skills are also important.

Hire a Civil Litigation Attorney

To work with a civil litigation attorney you can trust, contact Russell & Lazarus APC today at (949) 851-0222.