A civil litigation lawyer represents individuals or businesses in non-criminal legal disputes. Depending on the matter, an attorney may investigate the facts, review contracts and other evidence, negotiate a resolution, file or respond to a lawsuit, conduct discovery, argue motions, and represent a client at trial. Civil litigation can involve contract disputes, property conflicts, business disputes, financial claims, and other disagreements involving legal rights or obligations.
Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may help with:
The exact procedure varies by jurisdiction and type of dispute, but a civil lawsuit may move through several stages:
| Stage | What May Happen |
|---|---|
| Case Evaluation | Facts, evidence, possible claims, defenses, and deadlines are reviewed |
| Pleadings | A complaint, answer, counterclaim, or other court documents may be filed |
| Discovery | Parties may exchange documents, written questions, testimony, and other evidence |
| Motions | Either side may ask the court to decide specific legal or procedural issues |
| Negotiation | Settlement discussions or mediation may occur before trial |
| Trial | Evidence and arguments are presented if the dispute is not resolved |
| Judgment/Appeal | The court enters a decision, and additional proceedings may sometimes follow |
Rather than choosing an attorney based only on the broad label “civil litigation,” look for experience relevant to your particular dispute. Consider asking:
What is considered civil litigation?
Civil litigation generally involves non-criminal legal disputes between individuals, businesses, organizations, or other parties. Examples can include contract disagreements, property disputes, business conflicts, financial claims, and other disputes involving legal rights or obligations.
Does every civil litigation case go to trial?
No. Many disputes are resolved before trial through negotiations, settlements, mediation, motions, or other procedures. Whether settlement is appropriate depends on the facts, evidence, legal issues, and objectives of the parties.
How long does a civil lawsuit take?
There is no standard timeline. The duration can depend on the complexity of the dispute, amount of evidence, number of parties, court schedule, discovery requirements, settlement discussions, motions, and whether the case proceeds to trial.
How much does a civil litigation lawyer cost?
Fee arrangements differ among lawyers and cases. Attorneys may use hourly billing, flat fees for particular services, contingency arrangements in qualifying cases, or other structures. Ask about attorney fees and additional litigation expenses before hiring a lawyer.
Can I hire a civil litigation lawyer before a lawsuit is filed?
Yes. A lawyer may become involved before litigation begins to evaluate the dispute, review evidence, communicate with the opposing party, negotiate, send a demand letter, or explore ways to resolve the matter without filing a lawsuit.
What should I bring when meeting a civil litigation attorney?
Bring documents relevant to the dispute, which may include contracts, emails, letters, text messages, invoices, photographs, financial records, court documents, timelines, and information about other people or businesses involved.