what is litigation lawyer

by Laurine Gibson 7 min read

A litigation lawyer will handle the following duties when representing a client:

  • Investigation of case
  • File documents to the court
  • Plea drafting
  • Depositions
  • Request to produce evidence
  • Trial representation
  • Settlement negotiation
  • Appealing a decision

A litigation attorney represents your interests both in and out of court in legal actions you take and those that are filed against you. These attorneys specialize in providing support for plaintiffs and defendants in civil and criminal cases.Nov 16, 2018

Full Answer

What is a litigation lawyer and do you need one?

Jul 21, 2021 · A litigation lawyer refers to a lawyer who represents clients in court. These attorneys represent individuals facing lawsuits, including criminal charges. Depending on your specific legal issue, you may decide to hire either a civil litigation lawyer or …

What does a litigation lawyer do?

Nov 26, 2013 · Here is a short answer: a litigation lawyer is an expert in protecting clients’ rights through the courts. A long answer is below. There are two kinds of lawyers: litigation and transactional. A litigation lawyer knows how to present your side of a dispute to a judge to protect your rights and maximize your chances of getting a favourable decision.

What is litigation and how is it used in court?

An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. Under the various rules of Civil Procedurethat govern actions in state and federal courts, litigation involves a series of steps that may lead to a court …

What are the steps of the litigation process?

Aug 11, 2020 · What is litigation? Litigation is the process of taking a dispute to a court of law. If parties cannot agree between themselves about the fair and proper outcome of a dispute they will present their respective cases to a court for its judgment. It is a broad term that describes a long and sometimes complex process.

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What's the difference between a lawyer and a litigator?

In general, however, Lawyers provide legal advice and assistance to clients, represent clients and argue their case before a court of law,and draft legal documents such as wills, contracts or deeds. A Litigator, also known as a courtroom or trial lawyer, focuses on representing his/her client in court.Mar 10, 2015

What does litigation law involve?

Litigation is the process of taking a dispute to a court of law. If parties cannot agree between themselves about the fair and proper outcome of a dispute they will present their respective cases to a court for its judgment.Aug 11, 2020

What is mean by litigation lawyer?

Litigation is the process of fighting or defending a case in a civil court of law.

What are the 4 types of lawyers?

Here's an overview of the most common types of lawyers.Personal Injury Lawyer. ... Estate Planning Lawyer. ... Bankruptcy Lawyer. ... Intellectual Property Lawyer. ... Employment Lawyer. ... Corporate Lawyer. ... Immigration Lawyer. ... Criminal Lawyer.More items...•Sep 29, 2020

What is the difference between litigation and lawsuit?

A lawsuit is an instance of a civil (not criminal) legal dispute between a plaintiff and defendent. Litigation is the process that the lawsuit goes through after it has been formally filed. Litigation can be very expensive, since it involves legal council, gathering evidence, depositions, fiings with the court, etc.Jan 18, 2011

What do you know about Pil?

Public interest litigation is the use of the law to advance human rights and equality, or raise issues of broad public concern. It helps advance the cause of minority or disadvantaged groups or individuals. Public interest cases may arise from both public and private law matters.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.Dec 18, 2020

What is the minimum salary of a lawyer in India?

An Entry Level Lawyer with less than three years of experience earns an average salary of â‚ą3.2 Lakhs per year. A mid-career Lawyer with 4-9 years of experience earns an average salary of â‚ą5.6 Lakhs per year, while a Senior Lawyer with 10-20 years of experience earns an average salary of â‚ą6 Lakhs per year.

What's the difference between mediation and litigation?

To summarize, litigation is when a couple takes their divorce to court. The judge will hear both sides and make a decision regarding the issues presented. Mediation, on the other hand, is when a neutral 3rd party mediator helps the couple come to an agreement outside of court.Jun 30, 2014

Which type of lawyer is best?

The Top 10 Lawyer Types You're Most Likely to NeedBusiness Lawyer (litigation or transactional) ... Family Lawyer (a.k.a. Domestic Relations Attorney; a.k.a. Divorce Lawyer) ... Traffic Lawyer. ... Trusts and Estates Lawyer. ... Immigration Lawyer. ... Personal Injury Lawyer. ... Real Estate Lawyer.More items...•Dec 31, 2015

How much do criminal lawyers make?

The salaries of Criminal Lawyers in the US range from $21,204 to $556,465 , with a median salary of $102,507 . The middle 57% of Criminal Lawyers makes between $102,507 and $253,785, with the top 86% making $556,465.

How much do attorneys make?

Comparatively, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics the national average annual remuneration of a lawyer is just below $145 000, approximately $12 000 monthly. With a 2019 national average income (all industries) of $68 703 annually and $5 725 monthly.Apr 19, 2021

What is a litigation lawyer?

Here is a short answer: a litigation lawyer is an expert in protecting clients’ rights through the courts. A long answer is below. There are two kinds of lawyers: litigation and transactional. A litigation lawyer knows how to present your side of a dispute to a judge to protect your rights and maximize your chances of getting a favourable decision.

Why do lawyers do litigation?

Litigation lawyers do it to make your pitch to a judge as legally sound as possible. Although most civil cases don’t go to trial, the trial is the ultimate leverage of a litigation lawyer because it is usually the first and the last chance to make your case to a judge.

What is transactional lawyer?

A transactional lawyer tells you what your rights and obligations are when you deal with anyone other than the courts or tribunals. For example, when you close a business deal, you want the deal to go as much as possible the way you understand it.

What is a litigation attorney?

Litigation attorneys, also known as litigators or trial lawyers, represent plaintiffs and defendants in civil lawsuits. They manage all phases of the litigation from the investigation, pleadings, and discovery through the pre-trial, trial, settlement, and appeal processes. Tasks can vary based on the nature of the dispute, ...

What is the purpose of a plaintiff's case?

Litigation attorneys in a plaintiff's case often conduct an initial case investigation to determine if enough evidence exists to warrant filing a lawsuit. In a defendant's case, he'll assess what evidence exists to defend a potential or existing suit against his client.

Why can't an attorney appeal a case?

An attorney might appeal the case for her client if the trial goes badly, but he can't do so simply because she doesn't like the outcome. She must present evidence as to why the trial court's decision was wrong in some way based on issues such as certain evidence being admitted at trial when it should not have been.

Do attorneys have to pass the bar exam?

Attorneys must then pass the bar exam and be admitted to the bar in the state in which they wish to practice. It's often helpful to be admitted to the bar in neighboring states as well for a wider potential client base and increased job opportunities.

What is the process of selecting a jury?

It is the process of selecting a jury. Litigators then present their cases in court, giving opening and closing statements to the judge or jury, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and crafting their version of the case through testimony and evidence. Litigation attorneys might also conduct post-trial interviews of the jury.

Can a lawyer settle a lawsuit?

Litigation attorneys can settle a case at any time during the life cycle of a lawsuit. Litigators will engage in negotiations with opposing parties and sometimes participate in mediation and settlement conferences with the judge.

What is a litigation lawyer?

A litigation lawyer is an attorney who represents you in court after a lawsuit has been filed. They also represent individuals facing criminal charges after an arrest. Litigation lawyers are those practitioners that you are familiar with because of watching TV shows or other legal dramas.

What is a lawyer in court?

The prosecutors and defense attorneys in a criminal case, or the lawyers in court during a civil trial. But there is more to being a litigation lawyer than simply going to court. These lawyers must familiar with the rules of civil and criminal procedure in the jurisdiction where they are practicing. The rules of court are important ...

Why are rules of court important?

The rules of court are important because they set forth the proper procedure the proper response (s) and the time period within which a party may do it. Missing an important deadline can be fatal to your case and result in dismissal of your causes of action.

How long does a civil case last?

Lawsuits can also go on for a considerable amount of time. In fact, complex civil cases with multiple issues can last for years, not days or months.

Why is discovery important in a lawsuit?

Discovery is an important tool to help the parties in a laws uit learn more about the facts and issues that exist in a case. There is often discovery that takes place - both written and oral. Written discovery includes requests for production of documents or other items.

How many civil cases are settled without trial?

According to a study by the U.S. Justice Department, about 97 percent of civil cases are settled or dismissed without a trial. This means that taking a case all the way to trial is very rare but it happens. You need a litigator who has tried cases and will take your case to trial if needed.

What is an advocate in a lawsuit?

An Advocate for Your Position. Litigators must be a strong advocate for your position in a lawsuit. The attorney you hire should be able to identify the legal issues involved in your situation. Based on the legal issues posed by the facts of your case and the law that exists in your area, they will advocate your position.

Examination

When a client enters through the door, a lawyer begins by attentively listening to learn about the client’s condition. A lawyer’s expertise and experience allow him or her to swiftly determine whether a client’s legal position is sound.

Pleadings

One of a litigation lawyer’s first responsibilities is to draft the lawsuit’s initial “pleadings,” which include the written complaint that begins the case and the defendant’s written response to the complaint.

Process of Discovery

During the discovery stage of a case, each party is obligated to turn over relevant documents and respond to questions made by the other party. The main goal of this compulsory information exchange is for each side to get a better grasp of the underlying facts.

Negotiation (Mediation)

Mediation, in which opposing parties meet in the presence of an impartial court-appointed person known as a mediator and seek to reach a solution, is an important component of litigation.

Pre-trial

The parties narrow and define the issues for trial at the pre-trial stage of the case, which generally entails submitting numerous motions and asking for a judgment from the court. A defendant, for example, could urge the judge to reject one of the plaintiff’s legal claims as frivolous.

Trial

The trial would be the tip of the iceberg if litigation were an iceberg. To put it another way, nearly all of a litigation lawyer’s labor happens before the case goes to trial.

Appeal Process

The fact that the losing side has the opportunity to appeal means that the trial court’s decision does not always indicate that the case is closed.

What is litigation in law?

litigation. Also found in: Dictionary, Thesaurus, Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia. Litigation. An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation.

What is the process of discovery in a civil case?

If the service of the complaint on the defendant does not result in a settlement of the issues, the plaintiff must begin the discovery process. This involves sending to the defendant written questions (called interrogatories) that seek information involving the dispute at issue.

What happens if you can't settle a case?

If the parties are unable to reach a settlement, the litigation continues to trial. Near or on the day of trial, one or both parties often make settlement offers, in the hope of avoiding court proceedings (which are often costly and protracted). Litigation ends if a settlement is reached.

Can a losing party appeal a decision?

The court has discretion to grant or refuse these kinds of requests. Once a final decision has been made at the trial court, the losing party may appeal the decision within a specified period of time. The federal courts and the states have intermediate courts of appeal that hear most civil appeals.

What is litigation in law?

What is litigation? Litigation is the process of taking a dispute to a court of law. If parties cannot agree between themselves about the fair and proper outcome of a dispute they will present their respective cases to a court for its judgment. It is a broad term that describes a long and sometimes complex process.

What is a judgment in court?

Once the court has heard the evidence and argument as to the correct legal conclusion based on the evidence , it will make its decision. This is known as a judgment. It is usually in writing and will set out the facts the court found proved and the legal conclusion based on those facts. The judgment will also contain a direction as to who should pay the costs of the litigation.

How are trials held?

Trials are held in open court and heard by one judicial officer. As part of the pre-trial procedure the parties will have estimated the number of court days required to hear all the evidence and argument. The court administrators will serve a notice on the parties advising them of the date and time of the trial. It will be the responsibility of the legal representatives or the litigant in person to ensure that they are properly prepared to start on the allocated day and that all of their witnesses are at court to give evidence if necessary.

What does "resolve a dispute" mean?

All it means is that in resolving a dispute the law to determine obligations will be that of England and Wales. As a general rule, the defendant must reside within a court’s physical jurisdiction or the cause of action must have arisen within a court’s jurisdiction. This is a complex area of law and specialist legal advice is often necessary ...

What is the Civil Procedure Rules?

The litigation process is governed by The Civil Procedure Rules 1998. This is a comprehensive set of rules which inform all aspects of the civil litigation process. The Rules prescribe the time limits within which certain steps in the litigation process must be undertaken, the correct forms to use and ...

What is the overriding objective of the rules?

The overriding objective of the rules is to resolve disputes justly and by the most efficient means possible. Parties can be penalised for failing to comply with these rules by costs orders against them or in the most extreme cases having their claims or defences “struck out”.

What does it mean when a statement of case has serious defects?

It may happen that the statement of case has some serious defects which means that a defendant cannot deliver a defence or has been advised that it is not necessary to do so. The reasons for this could include:

What is litigation in law?

Litigation is defined as a process for handling disputes and bringing lawsuits to court in order to enforce a particular right. During litigation, a judge makes the final decisions for the parties unless they settle before trial.

How is litigation settled?

Litigation is typically settled by agreement between the parties, but may also be heard and decided by a jury or judge in court. Contrary to popular belief, litigation is not simply another name for a lawsuit.

Who is Jeffrey Johnson?

Jeffrey Johnson is a legal writer with a focus on personal injury. He has worked on personal injury and sovereign immunity litigation in addition to experience in family, estate, and criminal law. He earned a J.D. from the University of Baltimore and has worked in legal offices and non-profits in Maryland, Texas, and North Carolina. He has also earned an MFA in screenwriting from Chapman Univer...

What are the stages of litigation?

There are several stages in a matter that goes to litigation and it includes any number of activities before, during, and after a lawsuit to enforce a legal right . In addition to the actual lawsuit, pre-suit negotiations, arbitrations, facilitations, and appeals may also be part of the litigation process.

What is a pre-suit letter?

These can include many things, from writing a letter on a client’s behalf called a demand letter, to demand that a party compensate a victim for economic or physical injury, to filing a Notice of Eviction with a local court.

What is a summons in a lawsuit?

A lawsuit involves starting the civil procedure with a plaintiff filing a formal complaint with the appropriate court, and then serving a copy upon a defendant to provide them with a summons, which is a notice of the impending court case.

What is a deposition in court?

A deposition is a formal question and answer session that is conducted under oath and transcribed, which means copied word for word, by a court reporter for later use by both parties.

What is legal litigation?

Legal litigation is a general term that involves a wide variety of legal actions and activities. It includes pre-negotiations such as requesting the approval of legal letters in hopes of settling the case to avoid trial. Litigation processing also involves: Court hearings. Arbitrations.

What happens after a lawsuit is resolved?

It is important to know that even after a lawsuit is resolved, the litigation process can continue. For example, one party is left dissatisfied with the resolution of the case.

What is a temporary custody order?

Issuance of restraining orders. Temporary custody orders. Litigation is usually resolved in a court trial where a judge makes the final decision. Court appeals are also a part of litigation proceedings. Although, settlement can happen anytime during litigation and is often completed before a full trial begins.

What is the first step in a legal case?

Most litigations involve four distinct elements or phases. First is the Discovery phase. The legal discovery process is where the plaintiff and defendant gather evidence to support their case. It consists of sending the other party a written request to explain their side.

What is the third element of a case?

Because of that, one might submit a formal request, a motion, to take the case into court. The third element is gathering Expert Witnesses. Here, subject matter experts act as witnesses to help support legal claims. It usually includes credible professionals like private investigators, doctors, and accountants.

Does litigation end when a judge makes a decision?

Contrary to what most people think, litigation doesn’t end when a decision is given by a judge. Either party still has many legal options in regards to moving forward. This can extend the litigation process. As long as there is a dispute between the plaintiff and defendant, they will still both be in litigation.

What is a litigator in law?

Conversely, a litigator (often referred to as a trial lawyer) is type of lawyer that handles the litigation process in civil cases.

What can an estate planning lawyer do?

An estate planning lawyer can help you draft a will, trust, powers of attorney, living will and other essential documents to protect your estate and provide for your family after your death.

What is the best way to find a lawyer?

If you find yourself in need of a lawyer, it is best to find a lawyer that has extensive experience in the area of your need to represent you in the best manner possible. Take, for example, the estate planning process. An estate planning lawyer can help you draft a will, trust, powers of attorney, living will and other essential documents ...

How does death affect family?

If the family you leave behind has complicated relationships, there could very well be disputes that lead to family infighting over inheritance or simple possessions for which someone may have an emotional attachment.

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Education and Training

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A litigation lawyer must have achieved her juris doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. It means first earning a four-year degree in addition to three additional years in law school. Attorneysmust then pass the bar exam and be admitted to the bar in the state in which they wish to practic…
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Initial Case Assessment and Investigation

  • Litigation attorneys in a plaintiff's case often conduct an initial case investigation to determine if enough evidence exists to warrant filing a lawsuit. In a defendant's case, he'll assess what evidence exists to defend a potential or existing suit against his client. The investigation process can include locating witnesses, taking witness statements, gathering documents, interviewing th…
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Drafting Pleadings

  • A variety of pleadings and motions must be filed with the court on behalf of both the plaintiff or the defendant in a lawsuit. Plaintiff attorneys will draft and file a summons and complaint to initiate the lawsuit, and defense attorneys typically draft answers and sometimes counterclaims in response to that initial complaint. Defense attorneys collaborate with their clients to investigate …
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The Discovery Process

  • The discovery portion of a lawsuit involves the exchange of all relevant information between the parties. Litigation attorneys employ a variety of discovery devices to gain this information. These methods can include interrogatories, a series of written questions that the other party to the lawsuit must answer—also in writing and under penalty of perjury. It can include depositions whi…
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Pre-Trial Tasks

  • The weeks immediately preceding trial are a time to wrap up discovery and prepare for court. Litigators consult with and advise clients, retain expert witnesses, attend pre-trial conferences, and develop trial strategies based on the facts and evidence. They might also conduct pre-trial depositions of experts and key witnesses, prepare demonstrative evidence to be used as trial ex…
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Trial: Almost The Final Stage

  • When cases proceed to trial, litigation attorneys are busy around the clock presenting their case before the judge or preparing for the next day in court. Litigators collaborate with experts and clients to craft a trial theme. They identify the strengths and weaknesses of a case and develop persuasive arguments. They prepare witnesses and their clients for testimony. A process called …
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The Possibility of Settlement

  • Most cases never reach trial but instead are settled to eliminate the risk and expense of going to court. Litigation attorneys can settle a case at any time during the life cycle of a lawsuit. Litigators will engage in negotiations with opposing parties and sometimes participate in mediation and settlement conferences with the judge. They'll create settlement brochures, agreements, release…
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The Appeals Process

  • An attorney might appeal the case for her client if the trial goes badly, but he can't do so simply because she doesn't like the outcome. She must present evidence as to why the trial court's decision was wrong in some way based on issues such as certain evidence being admitted at trial when it should not have been. Litigators might draft post-trial motions, identify and preserve iss…
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Litigation Lawyers Defined

  • A litigation lawyer is an attorney who represents you in court after a lawsuit has been filed. They also represent individuals facing criminal charges after an arrest. Litigation lawyers are those practitioners that you are familiar with because of watching TV shows or other legal dramas. The prosecutors and defense attorneys in a criminal case, or the lawyers in court during a civil trial. B…
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Experience in Litigation Cases

  • A litigation attorneyshould have experience in the area of law where you need representation. While many of the lawyers you see on TV are battling it out in court, a large number of attorneys handle transactional matters or never litigate at all. Transactional matters include tasks like helping to negotiate a contract, the sale of a business, or a real estate deal, to name a few. Litiga…
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An Advocate For Your Position

  • Litigators must be a strong advocatefor your position in a lawsuit. The attorney you hire should be able to identify the legal issues involved in your situation. Based on the legal issues posed by the facts of your case and the law that exists in your area, they will advocate your position. This advocacy is a crucial element of the legal representation you receive from an attorney. That's be…
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Navigating The Legal System Successfully

  • A dispute between two parties takes on a whole new meaning when a lawsuit is filed. In civil court, where judges handle non-criminal cases, a lawsuit begins with the filing of a Complaint and the issuance of a summons. A complaint is served on a defendant or respondent, and the rules of a jurisdiction set forth the timeframe in which that party must respond. After a defendant or respo…
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Wrapping Up: Find The Right Litigation Lawyer

  • A litigation lawyer can be a valuable asset for you to have in your corner before suit is filed and during litigation. But it's important for you to find the right lawyer for your unique situation. To do this, you should spend time learning about an attorney and their history. You should also meet with a lawyer before you decide to hire them. This way you can do a preliminary discussion abou…
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Examination

  • When a client enters through the door, a lawyer begins by attentively listening to learn about the client’s condition. A lawyer’s expertise and experience allow him or her to swiftly determine whether a client’s legal position is sound. In increasingly complicated cases, the lawyer will need to undertake extra factual research and legal research to provide appropriate advice. Almost us…
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Pleadings

  • One of a litigation lawyer’s first responsibilities is to draft the lawsuit’s initial “pleadings,” which include the written complaint that begins the case and the defendant’s written response to the complaint. As previously said, the lawyer must do an appropriate inquiry into the facts as well as necessary legal study in order to build a comprehensive plan. Early pleadings are critical becaus…
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Process of Discovery

  • During the discovery stage of a case, each party is obligated to turn over relevant documents and respond to questions made by the other party. The main goal of this compulsory information exchange is for each side to get a better grasp of the underlying facts. Drafting discovery requests take a lot of expertise, especially when the lawyer knows that the other party in a dispute would …
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Negotiation

  • Mediation, in which opposing parties meet in the presence of an impartial court-appointed person known as a mediator and seek to reach a solution, is an important component of litigation. Mediation is required before any matter may proceed to trial, and it frequently occurs during the case. Dispute resolution minimizes the burden of courts and saves money for taxpayers. Lawyer…
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Pre-Trial

  • The parties narrow and define the issues for trial at the pre-trial stage of the case, which generally entails submitting numerous motions and asking for a judgment from the court. A defendant, for example, could urge the judge to reject one of the plaintiff’s legal claims as frivolous. Additional motions may address evidentiary concerns, such as requesting the judge to prevent a planned w…
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Trial

  • The trial would be the tip of the iceberg if litigation were an iceberg. To put it another way, nearly all of a litigation lawyer’s labor happens before the case goes to trial. A barrister will take up the litigation from the solicitor during the trial. The solicitor, on the other hand, will help the barrister prepare for and conduct the trial. The solicitor must play an important role since he or she has th…
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Appeal Process

  • The fact that the losing side hasthe opportunityto appeal means that the trial court’s decision does not always indicate that the case is closed. The losing party may claim that the court erred in dismissing the case or that the judge lacks the power to restrict the losing party from raising a particular claim or defense. A legal brief will be required for an appeal. Another instance where t…
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