If you have a current or ongoing issue that needs addressing, you might be seeking the help of an attorney. Finding the right representation for your case can be difficult. Because of this, you might be wondering if a litigation lawyer is the right person for your needs.
To set the record straight, we are going to look at what a litigation lawyer does.
Qualifications
To be able to do their job, a litigation lawyer must gain the right qualifications. This involves seven years of studying including three in law school before passing the bar. When they have done this, they can call themselves a litigation lawyer.
It is advisable that a lawyer works in the area that they graduate from. A new Litigation Lawyer Toronto, for example, is going to be more aware of local laws and litigation than a lawyer from another providence.
Look into a Case
To see whether a lawsuit is relevant, a litigation lawyer will take an initial look at the case. In terms of working with a defendant, they will examine the evidence against the client to start working on their defense.
Statements and Witnesses
Next, a litigation lawyer will speak with other parties to gather all the facts. This is useful in both early settlements to avoid a lawsuit, and if the case goes further. To be effective at this stage, a litigation lawyer must be a strong negotiator and be capable of putting forward their clients’ argument in an articulate manner.
Pleadings
The general outlines and definitions of the complaint can be put forward at this stage. A litigation lawyer will know the importance of this part of a case as it can determine what they can and can’t use to support it at a later date. Attention to detail is vital as it is difficult to make amendments to this later on. All the previous research will be of particular use at this point so using a thorough litigation lawyer is important.
Discovery
This is where both parties are expected to answer and ask questions relating to relevant documents. They can discuss the facts at this stage of the case, and a skilled lawyer will know what questions to ask to get as much significant information as possible.
Expect your lawyer also to ask questions of their own, meaning they should be able to speak under pressure as part of their role.
Mediation
This can happen more than once throughout the case and is used as a way of trying to get parties to settle without needing to go to court. Mediation lightens the workload of the judge and can keep the general cost down. The lawyer will be able to help a client obtain a fair resolution, but ultimately it is the client’s decision.
Trial
To assist the barrister taking over the case, a lawyer will help to prepare the case and provide relevant information. Given the fact that they know more about the case than anyone, a litigation lawyer is still an essential part of the trial stage.
As you can see, a litigation lawyer requires a lot of skill that will be involved in the various stages of a legal case. Even post-trial, they are involved in the appeal process. Given this, you want to make sure you choose a litigation lawyer with a proven track record.
