If you are like many other people, you might not have much experience with the court system. While you might understand what a criminal lawyer does, you may be less aware of what a civil attorney does. Civil attorneys are commonly called litigators. These are attorneys that are hired by people to defend against or to pursue civil lawsuits in court. Civil lawsuits might arise in numerous areas of the law and may concern the recovery of property or money. The attorneys at Swartz Swidler are civil attorneys who practice in the area of employment law. We assist our clients who have legal issues related to their jobs to pursue legal remedies.
Civil lawyers are attorneys who can focus on many different areas of the law. These attorneys include personal injury lawyers, employment lawyers, business and corporate lawyers, family lawyers, immigration lawyers, real estate lawyers, and others.
When do you need to hire a civil lawyer?
It is possible for you to sue or to defend against a lawsuit under nearly any legal theory that does not fall under the criminal law. If you believe that another person or entity has committed a civil wrong against you, you might benefit from retaining a civil attorney to help you to protect your rights.
If you are ever sued by an individual or a business, it is also important for you to talk to a civil lawyer in the area of law that the claim falls under in order to determine your best approach. If you delay your response to a lawsuit against you, it can have dire consequences for your ability to defend against it.
What should you expect from a civil attorney?
After you have hired a civil lawyer, he or she will handle the major parts of your lawsuit. Some of the things that your lawyer might do include the following:
- Interview all of the witnesses and parties involved in your case to build it
- Engage in preparations for depositions
- Depose witnesses
- Correspond with the attorneys for the other party and with the court
- File the complaint, motions, briefs, and other required legal documents
- Plan for discovery and serve requests on the other party
- Retain expert witnesses to testify about any issues that are involved in your case
- Negotiate with the other party’s attorneys in an effort to reach a settlement agreement
- Litigate your case before a judge or jury
When you decide to file a lawsuit, you will have control over it. For example, it will be up to you who you will name as a defendant, when your suit will be filed, and whether to accept a settlement offer. While the control will be yours, it is a good idea for you to listen to your lawyer and to follow his or her judgment when you make legal decisions and determine your legal strategy.
How much does it cost to hire a civil lawyer?
The cost of a civil attorney depends on several factors, including the following:
- The legal practice area of your claim
- The attorney’s experience
- The complexity of the case
- The time that will be spent to pursue the lawsuit
Your lawyer’s fee structure will also affect your costs. Attorneys who use a contingent fee structure wait until their cases reach favorable outcomes. They then receive a percentage of the total amount that is recovered. Some attorneys charge by the hour, and others charge flat fees.
Should you hire a civil lawyer?
If you believe that you will need to file a lawsuit, it is a good idea for you to get help from an experienced civil attorney. A lawyer can help you to understand the court system and the civil procedures involved so that you can meet all of the deadlines and avoid making mistakes.
Civil lawyers can evaluate your claim and help you to figure out whether you are likely to succeed with your claim at trial. If you are being sued, an attorney can help you to respond to the lawsuit against you and can help you to build a strong defense case.
Get help from Swartz Swidler
The attorneys at Swartz Swidler are experienced employment lawyers who are dedicated to helping workers to recover damages when they have been wronged. If you believe that your employer has engaged in illegal discrimination, has retaliated against you, or has wrongfully terminated you from your job, we might be able to help. We can evaluate your claim and offer you an honest assessment of its winnability. Schedule a consultation today by filling out our online contact form.
