Friday, 10 August 2012

Litigation Lawyers Are Specialists In Handling Civil Cases

By Barbara Hilton


The resolution process used by courtrooms to solve legal disputes is known as litigation. It focuses mainly on civil law issues, and the litigation lawyers involved represent both sides of a case. They are present not only in the initial investigation, discovery, and formulation of pleas, but are also in court during pre-trial and trial proceedings, the actual settlement, and any appeals.

These proceedings do not normally involve criminal cases, and are rarely sensational. Unlike a well-publicized murder trial, they most commonly involve any point of civil law in dispute, ranging from a class action suit to increasingly common cases of copyright violation. Business and contract disputes, the settlement of outstanding debt, and even product liability are cases commonly handled by these courtroom experts.

The ultimate judgement may involve large amounts of money, and a winning outcome is largely dependent upon the courtroom experience and innate legal skills of the representing attorneys. Although the judge is responsible for making a final decision, that opinion is usually influenced by a convincing and legally acceptable presentation that can involve the combined efforts of corporate legal teams.

The costs involved can be extreme, but are often considered to be part of business. Unfortunately, an individual with limited financial means can be greatly impacted by this time-consuming, stressful process, and must rely heavily upon an attorney to navigate the legal labyrinth. For a client to survive, his or her attorneys must have a complete, intimate understanding of the case, in addition to a legacy of winning.

When a lawsuit is initiated, a response must be received in a timely manner dictated by the court. This interim period can be as short as three or four days, or as long as a month. Although many businesses have an established legal department, an individual may need to research several lawyers before choosing the most appropriate or suitable one for a particular problem.

Hiring an attorney with previous experience handling lawsuits of a similar type is extremely important. To verify that a work portfolio of finished cases is accurate, it is not inappropriate to ask who or what was actually represented, and whether there was a positive outcome. Although many lawyers make regular court appearances, that does not necessarily make them suitable for your legal needs, or even to act as your representative.

While a positive financial outcome may be vital, steer clear of experts who measure success solely in monetary figures. A huge settlement will undoubtedly benefit a counselor, but in some cases may never actually reach the involved client. While references are routinely provided prior to hiring, it may also be beneficial to question former clients, and even opponents, for their evaluations.

Avoid the urge to select the first lawyer you investigate. Experienced clients agree that it is important to interview several litigation lawyers before settling on the one with the best overall understanding of your case, in addition to having a winning record. Discuss fees or payment methods ahead of time to avoid misunderstandings. With the right person on the case, the entire process becomes less difficult.




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