Being named as one of the parties in any type of lawsuit, including criminal charges, can be frustrating. This is especially true if you don’t know how to defend your rights and interests in a court of law. Because of this, hiring a litigation lawyer is a must.
Generally, a litigation lawyer refers to a legal professional whose primary duty is to defend people in civil or criminal lawsuits. They’ll identify the weaknesses of the other party’s case to obtain a favorable outcome for their clients.
When you have a litigation lawyer by your side, you can have peace of mind knowing someone saves you from incriminating yourself in any court proceedings. However, if you haven’t worked with a litigation lawyer before, you may be unfamiliar with what they do and how they do their duties and responsibilities.
Keep reading this article to familiarize yourself with what a litigation lawyer does for their clients.
Also Read: Orange County civil litigation lawyers
Provide Valuable Legal Advice
Whether you’re facing a civil or criminal case, a litigation lawyer will sit down with you to tackle your situation. Before they represent you in court, they’ll obtain all the necessary information about your case and provide legal advice later. For example, litigation lawyers from Chand & Co and similar law firms will examine all the documents, including contracts, and determine if you have a solid case to pursue. If there is, they’ll start to build your case to improve your chances of winning.
Collect Evidence
As someone who’ll represent you in court, a litigation lawyer will have to gather certain pieces of evidence to support your claim. These can include documents related to your case, testimonies from the witnesses, and other important information that can help improve the odds of success of your case.
If your case requires expert opinions to strengthen your case, the litigation lawyer will also gather expert testimonies as part of the legal research and case preparation. They’ll ensure that all necessary evidence is complete before the commencement of the trial.
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Prepare Pleadings
When you’re a party to a civil or criminal lawsuit, you’re required to file the necessary paperwork in court for the trial. This is where hiring a litigation lawyer enters the picture. Given their skills and expertise, they’ll draft the pleadings and other legal documents on your behalf. For example, the litigation lawyer will prepare a complaint to start the lawsuit if you’re the complainant or the plaintiff. If you’re the defendant, on the other hand, they’ll draft the answer or counterclaim to respond to the initial complaint.
Aside from these essential legal documents, a litigation lawyer is also responsible for preparing various pre-trial motions, including a motion to dismiss, a motion to strike, and a motion for judgment based on the pleadings. Hence, given the paperwork required in court in certain situations, you need a legal professional to assist you with the process.
Provide Legal Representation In All Stages Of The Court Proceeding
If you’re named as a party to a lawsuit, you need a litigation lawyer to represent you in all stages of the court proceedings. These can include:
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Discovery
At this stage, the litigation lawyer will have to provide the other party with the relevant information and documents. They also have an obligation to make discovery requests to the opposing party to gain essential information for your case.
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Pre-Trial
Before the trial begins, the litigation lawyer will have to prepare for the pre-trial. At this stage, they’ll attend pre-trial conferences and create trial strategies. They’ll also organize the evidence to be used as exhibits during the trial.
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Trial
When your case goes to trial, the litigation lawyer will have to focus on presenting your case before the judge. At this stage of the court proceedings, they’ll collaborate with you and the witnesses involved to develop convincing arguments or defenses. Once the trial starts, the legal professional will deliver their opening and closing arguments, conduct direct and cross-examining witnesses, and present evidence. They’ll do their best to increase your chances of winning your case.
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Appeal
If the inferior court issues a judgment in favor of the other party, you may have the option to file an appeal and ask the higher court to reverse the judgment based on justifiable grounds. In this situation, a litigation lawyer will prepare a legal brief or argument to persuade the court to turn the case around.
Final Thoughts
With the information mentioned above in mind, you’ll have a clear idea of what a litigation lawyer can do for your case. Whether you’re dealing with a civil or criminal lawsuit, you need the proper legal representation to obtain the best possible outcome.
However, it’s essential to know that not all legal professionals provide the services you need. In that situation, you should look into the experience and reputation of a prospective litigation lawyer. That way, you can properly find the right person to represent you in court.
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