How it works
From the first call to a closed file
A civil case moves in stages. Here is what happens at each one, and what we'll ask of you.
- 01
Step 1: A conflict check, then a talk
You call or write, and we check for conflicts. Then a partner reads what you send and talks it through with you, at no charge.
- 02
Step 2: A plan on paper
If we take the case, you get a letter: who leads it, what we'll do first, what it's likely to cost through each stage, and what could change that.
- 03
Step 3: The complaint or the answer
We file the complaint or the answer, and any motion that could end or narrow the case early.
- 04
Step 4: Discovery
Both sides trade documents and take depositions. It's the longest stage, and where most cases are won or lost.
- 05
Step 5: Mediation
Most cases settle here, before a neutral mediator. We go in with a trial plan, so you can judge any offer against it.
- 06
Step 6: Before the jury or arbitrator
If it doesn't settle, we try it. You'll have both of your lawyers at the table.
A budget you can hold us to
Litigation is expensive, and clients deserve to know how expensive before they start.
Our case plan prices each stage separately, so you can see what discovery or a trial would add before you commit to it. When something changes, a new motion or a new party, we tell you in writing what it does to the budget before we do the work.
What the letter covers
Hourly rates, stated in the engagement letter
A stage-by-stage estimate
Monthly bills that say who did what
A flat fee or blended rate for some matters
About cost and time
How long does a civil case take?
A case that settles early can close in a few months. One that goes through discovery to trial usually takes one to three years, depending on the court's calendar.
Do you take cases on contingency?
Occasionally, for a business with a strong claim for money owed. Most of our work is hourly. Either way, the engagement letter says who pays court costs and expert fees.
What if we lose?
We'll tell you the risks at the start, in writing. In most cases each side pays its own lawyers, though some contracts and some claims shift fees to the loser.
Start with the first conversation
Call or write. A partner will read what you send and tell you where things stand.