Getting the right legal professional for your upcoming case is vital. If you or a loved one has been accused of misconduct, if you wish to recover civil damages from an at-fault party, you may need to hire a litigation attorney to maximize your results. A skilled litigation lawyer can provide you with a wide range of assistance.
So, what exactly is a litigation lawyer, what do they do, and how do you hire one? Read on to discover the answers to these questions and more. Alternatively, you can contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers online or at 1-516-342-2200 to schedule your free case evaluation now!
Litigation Attorneys Explained
A litigation lawyer, also called a trial lawyer, is a legal professional who defends individuals in civil lawsuits or who represents individual interests in other civil cases. A civil lawsuit is a lawsuit without criminal penalties (e.g., even if you are found guilty, you probably won’t go to jail). However, a civil lawsuit can still result in the defending party having to pay significant damages or compensation to the plaintiff’s party.
Seasoned litigation lawyers work hard to seek out financial compensation for their clients. If they work for a defendant, they may also attempt to settle the case without the defendant needing to pay compensation (or as much as they might need to otherwise).
On the flip side, what happens if you wish to file a lawsuit against an at-fault party for severe damages or injuries? The right litigation lawyer could help you recover the financial compensation you are entitled to for past and future medical bills, time lost due to recovery, and much more.
In sum, a litigation lawyer represents their clients in civil legal cases. These can include but are not limited to:
- Personal injury lawsuits
- Auto accident lawsuits
- Workers’ compensation suits
- Medical malpractice lawsuits
Because of this, litigation attorneys often deeply understand the law regarding one or two specialties. They are also licensed to operate as court attorneys in their states of residence, having passed the bar exam.
What Does A Litigation Lawyer Do?
The responsibilities of a litigation lawyer can vary heavily depending on their clients’ interests and needs. However, most litigation lawyers share certain tasks or daily duties, such as:
- Drafting pleas, complaints, counterclaims, and beyond
- Answering complaints, counterclaims, interrogatories, and other requests for documentation
- Investigating the facts of the case
- Consulting with witnesses
- Taking depositions from clients and witnesses and interviewing those needed to strengthen the case
- Selecting jury members
- Developing complex legal strategies to pursue a case or defend a client in court
- Negotiating with opposing counsel to secure favorable settlements
- Appearing in court to represent their clients’ interests
Depending on the specialization or focus of a litigation attorney, they may work in private practice. They also might work at the federal, state, or local levels by operating as part of a government agency.
Still, more litigation lawyers operate in nonprofit organizations, offering legal services to those who may not have enough money to pay for legal representation themselves.
Which Major Cases Are Handled By Litigation Lawyers?
Litigation lawyers may participate in many types of civil litigation cases. These include but are not limited to:
- Personal injury or wrongful death cases. Civil litigation attorneys can represent victims or represent accused defendants in such cases if they are wrongfully accused of causing injuries or wrongful deaths.
- Auto accident cases, in which case civil litigation lawyers may defend drivers accused of causing accidents or represent the interests of injured drivers/passengers.
- Real estate civil lawsuit cases, where landlord and tenant disputes may require the services of litigation attorneys.
- Medical malpractice lawsuits, where litigation lawyers may represent injured patients or defend medical practitioners accused of wrongful conduct or malpractice.
In essence, for civil legal cases where one party accuses the other of wrongdoing and demands damages or compensation, a skilled litigation lawyer can help. For this reason and others like it, you should call Schwartzapfel Lawyers right away at 1-516-342-2200 if you require stellar legal representation.
When Do You Need a Litigation Lawyer?
Strictly speaking, the law does not require you to always hire a litigation lawyer to pursue a civil suit. However, it’s often a wise idea to hire one anyway.
The legal process is incredibly complex. Even if you believe you have an airtight case, the process can prove difficult. For example, if you were injured by an at-fault driver, and the evidence is obvious to everyone involved, you may still need an attorney to:
- Look over extensive court documentation
- Gather evidence on your behalf
- Negotiate with the outfall driver and their legal representative
- Represent you in court
- File the lawsuit paperwork
- And beyond!
The right litigation attorney can provide you with comprehensive assistance to improve your case and, more importantly, allow you to get your life back on track in the fullest way possible. With a knowledgeable litigation lawyer at your side, you can ensure that your case develops properly without having to do all the legwork yourself, like talking to witnesses and gathering police reports.
Call Schwartzapfel Lawyers today at 1-516-342-2200 or contact us online to get started. Our skilled attorneys are ready and waiting to fight for you!
What Should You Look For In A Litigation Lawyer?
That said, some litigation lawyers are certainly better than others. You should look for a few key attributes in any litigation lawyer before hiring them.
Extensive Experience
Make sure your chosen litigation law firm has members with extensive experience in your case area. Litigation lawyers can specialize in many different areas, like personal injury or medical malpractice. Be sure to hire a seasoned lawyer whose specialty matches your needs.
For instance, if you need a medical malpractice lawyer, don’t hire an auto accident lawyer. Make sure the litigation lawyer you retain:
- Has seen medical malpractice cases similar to yours
- Knows the ins and outs of case law surrounding medical malpractice cases
- Can develop an effective strategy
- Has a history of good results for clients — you can usually do this by googling the lawyer’s name or law firm name or by checking out positive testimonials for the lawyer on their website/review sites like Yelp
Whenever possible, you should hire a law firm with a stellar reputation. If the law firm is new or past clients don’t have good things to say about a given lawyer, don’t hire them.
To learn more now at no charge, call Schwartzapfel Lawyers at 1-516-342-2200 or visit us online now!
Enough Staff
Similarly, you’ll want to ensure any litigation lawyer you hire has enough staff to get the job done. The last thing you want is to sign up for legal representation only for your case materials to be handed off to a first-year paralegal.
During your initial consultation with a litigation lawyer, ask them who will handle your case: the lawyer you are meeting with or someone else. The answer to the question can help you determine whether it’s the right law firm for your case and your needs.
Contingency Fee Basis
Make sure the litigation lawyer operates on a contingency fee basis. Contingency fee bases are important for those who may not have enough money outright to pay for legal representation. A contingency fee basis means that a lawyer won’t charge you any fee unless they first recover financial compensation for you through your case.
For instance, when defending you against a plaintiff, they will likely charge a percentage-based fee from the plaintiff’s legal expenses. On the other hand, if they represent your interests against a defendant, the successful litigation lawyer will probably take a percentage fee based on the amount of money awarded by the court.
Contact Schwartzapfel Lawyers Today
If you or a loved one has been accused of misconduct or need a defense attorney in a civil lawsuit, qualified litigation lawyers are exactly who you should contact. The right litigation lawyer can defend you from outlandish accusations and ensure you aren’t on the hook for excessive damages.
Not sure who to call? Schwartzapfel Lawyers can help. Our knowledgeable attorneys have more than (150) years of combined experience and are ready and waiting to fight for you.
Call us today at 1-516-342-2200 or visit us online to schedule your free consultation now!
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 1-516-342-2200 now!
Sources:
Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You™™
What Is a Litigation Attorney? (With FAQs) | Indeed.com
Civil Cases | United States Courts
contingency fee | Wex | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute
Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Litigator | New England Law Boston
