how to find lawyer involved in a lawsuit 20 years aga

by Billy Hamill 8 min read

How to find the right lawyer for your case?

You will, however, need to take your time with the search. Focus your efforts on finding a lawyer that has dealt with your specific legal issue in the past and that you get along with personally. Taking the time to find the right lawyer will be worth it, as they are more likely to help you win your case.

What is a lawsuit lawyer?

What is a Lawsuit Lawyer? A lawsuit lawyer, also known as a civil attorney or litigator, are lawyers that are hired by private individuals and entities to pursue a claim or to defend them in a civil lawsuit. In general, civil lawsuits typically attempt to address and resolve legal issues that affect people and organizations.

Where can I find a list of all my lawsuits?

The list of all the lawsuits filed in the upper court in your county is called a “civil index” (or docket, or some other name). This list will be on the court’s computer system, on microfilm, in drawers full of index cards, or handwritten into a very heavy set of books.

How can I find out what happened to a case I sued?

Or have a courthouse records retrieval service pull the record for you if a court in question is hundreds of miles away. It will cost you much more than if you did it yourself, but if the court is hundreds of miles away, the savings in travel and wages could be worth it. See what the person was sued for and how the case ended.

Can lawyers talk about old cases?

The attorney-client privilege is, strictly speaking, a rule of evidence. It prevents lawyers from testifying about, and from being forced to testify about, their clients' statements. Independent of that privilege, lawyers also owe their clients a duty of confidentiality.

Can you sue for something that happened years ago?

Technically you can be sued for anything at any time, but in most cases can succeed on a motion to dismiss because the statute of limitations for most claims is less than ten years.

How do you get around the statute of limitations?

In general, there's no way around the statute of limitations. You have to officially file the suit in the courts within two years of your accident, or unfortunately, there's very little that even the best personal injury lawyer can do for you.

What is the statute of limitations to file a civil suit in California?

Generally, the statute of limitations for a negligence claim in California is 2 years. However, certain types of cases may have a longer or a shorter timeframe. There are also circumstances that toll, or delay, the running of the time to file the claim.

Can I sue something that happened 30 years ago?

No, you can't sue after the statute of limitations runs out. But there are situations where the statute of limitations begins late. For example, in a case of medical malpractice, the injury may have occurred weeks, months, or possibly years before the harm and cause of harm are discovered.

How long is the statute of limitations?

In criminal law, the limitations period refers to the time in which the government may charge a defendant with a criminal offense, either by indictment or criminal information. The applicable statute of limitations for most federal crimes is five years (18 U.S.C. § 3282).

What is an exception to the statute of limitations?

As of the writing of this, they include property damage/trespassing, child assault/sex abuse, fraud, wrongful birth, victim of serious felony, and breach of contract (written contract is different than oral contract).

How long is statute barred?

six yearsA debt will be deemed statute barred after a set period of time (defined by the type of debt, most commonly six years) if the following takes place: The creditor has not already taken court action. No payments have been made in relation to the debt within the set time period.

What are the four elements needed in a negligence case?

In order to establish negligence, you must be able to prove four “elements”: a duty, a breach of that duty, causation and damages.

What is the longest statute of limitations in California?

Depending on the type of case or procedure, California's statutes of limitations range from one year to 10 years.

Can you sue after statute of limitations California?

A statute of limitations is a deadline by which a lawsuit must be filed. Once the statute of limitations has run, a plaintiff can no longer file a legal action for compensatory damages, punitive damages or other relief.

How long can you wait to sue someone in Canada?

two yearsThe basic time limit to sue someone in Canada is two years just after someone filed a case. Or, it can be the very day the event occurred that caused the plaintiff loss or injury or damage. The duration may vary due to different cases and different circumstances.

What is legal group plan?

Employers or unions set up a fund to pay the employees’ legal fees, with the employee sometimes contributing a small co-payment. Legal group plans have become much more widespread in recent years. Some retail department stores and credit card companies even offer such plans to their customers.

What does legal insurance cover?

These plans vary. Many cover most, if not all, of the cost of legal consultations, document preparation, and court representation in routine legal matters. Other programs cover only advice and consultation with a lawyer.

Do legal aid offices have their own lawyers?

Some legal aid offices have their own staff lawyers, and others operate with volunteer lawyers. Note that people do not have a right to a free lawyer in civil legal matters. I have been accused of a crime, and I cannot afford a lawyer.

When will debt collectors have to give notice of eviction moratorium?

All debt collectors must follow the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). This can include lawyers who collect rent for landlords. Starting on May 3, 2021, a debt collector may be required to give you notice about the federal CDC eviction moratorium.

Can you leave originals with a debt collector?

Never leave your originals with anyone. It will be helpful for your attorney to review copies of letters you have received from the debt collector, as well as any copies of records you have kept of phone calls, letters you wrote to the debt collector, or other communications. Read full answer.

How to choose a lawyer for a lawsuit?

When selecting a lawsuit lawyer, you should first and foremost consider their experience with other cases similar to your own. Also take into consideration their expertise, reputation, and integrity. Maybe most importantly, consider how compassionately they treat their potential clients as well as the opposing side.

What to do if you are a lawsuit?

Delaying your response to the lawsuit can have dire consequences for your defense. If you must file a lawsuit, or someone has filed a lawsuit against you, consult with a skilled and knowledgeable civil attorney. An experienced and local lawsuit lawyer will be able to represent you in court as needed. A good way to find an attorney is by searching ...

Why are civil lawyers hired?

These lawyers are hired by a client in order to pursue or defend a civil lawsuit in a court of law. Generally speaking, civil attorneys address and solve legal issues encountered by the citizens of society. Such issues typically arise everyday between people in a social or business setting. Because of this, civil attorneys are sometimes said ...

What are some examples of lawsuits?

Some examples include: Personal injury law; Employment law; Family law; Business and finance law; Immigration law; Real estate law;

What to do if you believe you have been wronged financially?

If you believe you have been wronged financially or otherwise, it would be ideal to hire a civil attorney in order to help you assess the merits of your case . Additionally, if another person or business ever sues you, it is best to immediately consult with an attorney to determine the best course of action.

What to consider when hiring an attorney?

Something to consider when hiring an attorney is the cost of their services. The cost of your civil attorney will vary depending upon some of the following criteria: The area of law that your claim encompasses; The experience of the attorney you hire; The difficulty of the case; and. The amount of time spent pursuing or defending the lawsuit.

Can you be sued in civil court?

It is possible to be sued and fined in a civil law proceeding, and then sentenced in criminal law, or vice versa. Typically, if a person has already been found guilty in a criminal court of law, it will be easier to sue them and find them liable in a civil law court.

What percentage of a settlement does an attorney receive?

The attorney will receive a percentage of the settlement amount, usually between 30 to 40 percent.

How important is finding a good attorney?

Finding a good attorney may be the most important step you can take toward winning a legal case and it doesn't have to be a difficult task. You will, however, need to take your time with the search.

What is a family law attorney?

Family law attorneys handle matters such as separation, divorce, pre-nuptial agreements, adoption, guardianship, child custody and support. Personal injury law. Personal injury attorneys handle cases involving medical malpractice, dog bites, car accidents and any injury to a person that may be the fault of another.

How many years of experience do I need to become an attorney?

Typically, you should look for an attorney with at least three to five years of experience practicing the type of law you need help with. Additionally, you should choose an attorney that currently practices in the area you need help with.

Do I have to pay more for legal fees?

Keep in mind that even with a strict budget, if your case becomes significantly more complicated or takes significantly longer than the attorney originally anticipated, you may need to pay more in legal fees. If you cannot afford the attorney’s fees upfront, ask about potential arrangements such as payment plans.

Do attorneys charge for consultations?

Most attorneys do consultation appointments for free. However, some may charge a small fee for a consultation. Make certain that you know whether you will be charged, and don't make an appointment with an attorney who isn't forthcoming about these details. Most attorneys offer consultations for free.

What is civil case?

Civil proceedings are any proceedings that are not for the prosecution of a crime, such as lawsuits for personal injury and wrongful death, bankruptcy proceedings, lawsuits for breach of contract and anything else that is not criminal including divorce and family law proceedings. Criminal proceedings are also generally public record.

How to view court records?

Anyone can view public court records online by heading to the court's website if online records are available for that court, or by going to the court clerk's office to view records. The clerk's office will have records in either paper format or electronically through kiosks.

What are federal cases?

Federal cases include civil and criminal proceedings filed in federal district courts as well as appeals in the U.S. circuit courts of appeal and the United States Supreme Court. They also include bankruptcy filings and filings in the U.S. Tax Court. District court filings, circuit courts of appeal filings and bankruptcy court filings are all ...

What is the name of the document that is kept in court?

Court records are kept in what is called the docket, which is a list of all the documents filed in the case as well as text entries for proceedings like hearings that have been held and hearings that are scheduled.

Is a criminal case a public record?

Criminal proceedings are also generally public record. In civil and criminal matters, certain information may be kept confidential such as the names of parties or victims who are minors or who are victims of sexual assault. Parties to lawsuits can also request that certain sensitive records be sealed and kept private.

Can you view public court records without registering?

The U.S. Tax Court allows docket searches for the public, but no one can view the actual records without registering as either a taxpayer with a pending case or as an attorney. Read More: How to Find Public Court Records for Free Online.

Can you look at court records online?

Exceptions exist for certain types of criminal proceedings or for cases involving minors, but for the most part, anyone can look at the court's docket and review the documents filed in a court case. All federal courts and many state courts offer online court records for a fee.

What do PIABA lawyers sue?

I've been watching them over decades, and they’re pretty good. PIABA lawyers also sue mutual funds, hedge funds, and investment advisers. These may end up in court or arbitration, depending on the contracts you signed.

What to do if your lawyer doesn't warn you?

If your lawyer candidate doesn’t warn you on how suing can backfire, run. If they claim they are the best around, they aren't. If their goal is extorting a pre-trial settlement go elsewhere and find a lawyer who is willing, if needed, to go all the way to a final judgment. Good ones will. Finally, never lie.

What is the first chair of trial law?

You want what is called a good “first chair” trial lawyer. In TV court dramas where three lawyers sit together, the first chair is the one speaking to the judge. The others, support and prep litigators, whisper in the first chair’s ear.

Can I use an attorney in Nebraska?

Several states like California, Michigan and Nebraska won’t let you use an attorney. Rules vary by state. If you’re alone and your opponent has a good attorney, you’re at a huge disadvantage. Sadly, any lawyer can go to court.

How to check a target's lawsuit record?

These are: 1. Find out the case numbers of all cases involving your target. 2. Using the case numbers, have court clerks pull the case files for you so you can look at the legal paper in them. 3.

Where do lawsuits take place?

Lawsuits for small amounts of money take place in the civil portion of lower courts. (Criminal prosecutions for misdemeanors take place in the criminal portion of lower courts.) Lawsuits for large amounts of money take place in the civil portion of upper courts.

What does it mean when a target sues other people?

If your target sues other people a lot, it could be that he merely has poor judgment in the types of people he does business with and surrounds himself with. Or it could be evidence he’s a crank or a lawsuit extortionist. Check cases in which your target is the plaintiff like you would if he is the defendant.

What information do you use to weed out other people's cases?

Use dates of birth, Social Security numbers, race, addresses, situation in life, and other identifying information that mark your target to weed out other people’s cases from your target’s cases. Carelessness in this regard on your part might put you into a lawsuit – as a defendant!

Where to check the index of a lawsuit?

Or go to the courthouse and have them show you how to check the court index for your target’s lawsuits. In each county, there will be at least one place where an upper court civil index or lawsuit docket for all upper court cases in that county is available to the public. (In almost all counties, this place is the upper civil court clerk’s office.

Who sued Bill Clinton?

Paula Jones (in red), Kathleen Willey, Juanita Broaddrick, Kathy Shelton (in blue) at Second 2016 Presidential Debate. Paula sued Bill Clinton for sexually harassing her. Kathy was a rape victim who Hillary abused while representing the vermin who raped her when she was 12.

Can you verify a target's holdings?

Sometimes you can verify a target’s holdings or estimate his income by reviewing these cases.) Also, there can be more than one lower court in a county, so this means you will have to check every lower court in the county for low-grade civil dirt on your target.

What is a lawyer's track record?

A lawyer’s track record is a clear indicator of how good an attorney is at their job. That’s why it’s so important to look at your lawyer’s track record before you get one for the job. However, not everyone knows how to do so. Here’s how to research an attorney track record before you sign any retainer agreement and get trusted personal attorney.

Does the state bar have disciplinary information?

The state bar association also has plenty of information on any attorney discipline. Each state bar will have a disciplinary organization, where you can find information on lawyers’ conduct. That’s because the state bar associations keep up-to-date and accurate records on any ethical violations by their lawyers.

Does Google bring you information about a lawyer?

Google will bring you all the relevant information about the lawyer. This includes any news stories, online reviews, or publications relating to the lawyer and , most importantly , the attorney track record. The downside to Googling your lawyer is that it might take you a while before you actually find any relevant information.

Do you have to do homework to win a court case?

Your chances of winning or losing a court case majorly depend on your attorney. As such, it is imperative to do your homework on any lawyer you settle for to handle your case. We know how frustrating it can be to get the right lawyer for your case.