A litigation attorney is most simply an attorney who specializes in litigation. Litigation is basically just a fancy legal term for the practice of carrying a lawsuit through the court process. At the heart of these cases there is almost always a litigation attorney. Knowing the difference between litigation attorneys and other types of attorneys can help you hire the right one for your needs.

Different Types Of Attorneys

Many people don’t realize that not all lawyers present cases in a court of law in front of a judge and jury. Television shows and high profile news cases glamorize lawyers and courtroom proceedings, making it seem as though lawyers spend all their time in court, presenting evidence and arguing cases before a judge and jury. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

In fact, the vast majority of lawyers never see the inside of a courtroom. They spend most of their time advising their clients on the law or drafting and reviewing documents. These lawyers may be general practice lawyers, estate attorneys or work for large corporations as corporate attorneys, sometimes called legal counsel. Criminal law attorneys represent those accused of committing crimes and often find themselves representing clients in a courtroom. Still other attorneys work for various units of government as state attorney generals, public defenders or prosecutors.

Litigation attorneys, by contrast, are lawyers who specialize in lawsuits. They tend to specialize in civil law and are most often the type of attorney you will find in a courtroom. If you intend to go to court to settle a dispute, you’ll need one of these lawyers.

Education And Training

Like all attorneys, litigators have completed four years of undergraduate schooling followed by an additional three years of law school. Following graduation, they must pass the bar exam for the state in which they intend to work before they can practice law. Attorneys often participate in continuing education classes and may even take additional law school courses in order to specialize in a certain area of law such as probate, wills, bankruptcy, divorce or insurance, among many others.

Most litigation attorneys will have chosen one or two areas of focus. They will devote time throughout their career to honing their knowledge related to these areas of law and keeping current with changes to the law.

What A Litigation Attorney Does

The primary job of this attorney is to carry a case to and through the court system.

He or she performs all of the pre-trial work needed to get a lawsuit moving. This includes creating a written demand for resolution or direct filing of a lawsuit. Once the lawsuit has been filed, the lawyer will perform research related to the suit such as questioning witnesses and gathering evidence for use in the event the case goes to trial.

If the case does go to trial, the litigation attorney will represent the client at the trial. He or she will present the client’s case, question and cross-examine witnesses, and introduce evidence. The attorney is interested in getting the best possible result for the client. Sometimes that involves going to court, but the lawyer may also successfully bring resolution to the dispute by settling out of court.

Benefits Of Hiring A Litigation Lawyer

Litigators are knowledgeable about the law in general, which is necessary for resolving a dispute. But they are also well versed in the rules governing court cases. There are procedures and rules that must be followed to properly file and litigate a claim. Having someone on your side who has this knowledge is a prime reason why people hire litigation lawyers to present their cases.

It is important to understand the qualifications and limitations of any lawyer you hire. If you intend to settle a dispute in court, the experience that a litigation attorney can offer may prove invaluable to you. Choosing an attorney is just like choosing any other service provider. You want to make sure you choose the right one for the right job.

Wagner Sidlofsky LLP is a Toronto boutique litigation firm providing counsel to international and Canadian individuals and businesses involved in disputes. The firm’s areas of practice include Estate Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Elder Law and Tax Litigation. They only litigate. As a niche law firm, their lawyers’ proficiency has developed from the single minded focus of practice in areas of expertise. Every lawyer brings his/her own unique talents to the firm, but each shares a commitment to excellence. They get results for their clients by tenaciously and aggressively advocating for their clients. The firm’s lawyers regularly appear in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal as well as various administrative tribunals.

Criminal defense attorneys are skilled professionals who have experience defending their clients against serious felony or misdemeanor criminal charges. The best criminal defense professionals have completed years of education in the law and criminal defense fields and they have hundreds of hours of real-world courtroom experience facing aggressive prosecutors.

Hiring the right criminal defense attorney could be the most important decision you ever make. You need to take into account several areas of concern including:

* The attorney’s past results are very important.
* Overall cost, including up front fees.
* Creative representation: Is the attorney able to think outside the box?
* Alternative negotiations: Can you settle out of court?
* Personalized attention: Who is really representing you?
* What experience does he or she have?

Look for an attorney that starts by treating every person differently, as each case has special needs and unique situations. Each person also has their own financial ability. Why pay a lawyer thousands of dollars to go to trial, when your case may be settled to your satisfaction for far less? If you are not happy with the settlement, only then should you proceed to trial.

The attorney should research, investigate and review every case personally. Your attorney should evaluate your case and defend it in every possible way. However, keep in mind that you want them to first attempt to settle your case with the most creative alternatives possible to reach a settlement you approve and a settlement you can live with.

A resolution or settlement is the result of what is commonly known as “plea bargaining.” People enter into a plea bargain for many reasons. It is not always because they are guilty. Often times a person wants the case to simply “go away” as quickly as possible and as painlessly as possible. Other times, a person is accused of a lot of charges and enters into a settlement so that more serious charges are dropped in exchange for accepting responsibility for significantly lesser charges.

Most people want their case settled and most cases can be settled. Don’t pay an attorney huge fees to prepare for trial when you can settle your case in a manner acceptable to you – for a price you can afford.

Their rates should be reasonable and comparable to other attorneys. I would also not suggest bargain hunting when looking for the right attorney. A great attorney will know their worth and will charge accordingly. You should only pay a flat fee to attempt to settle your case.

If your case cannot be settled or you are not satisfied with the proposed settlement, you can decide whether to proceed to trial. In most cases a flat fee is charged. This means you will not be charged on an hourly basis. You will also know the exact fee for each portion of your criminal case. If your case requires legal services beyond the initial settlement fee, then you should be quoted additional fees for those services up-front.

At the law office of Kenneth C. Chrisman, they understand the challenges that face criminal defendants. They understand that a criminal conviction can cause irrevocable damage to a person’s record, employment opportunities, personal freedom and future.When choosing to handle a case of any kind, whether it is a traffic violation or a serious felony charge, they do so with an understanding that the work they do has a real-world effect on their client’s present and future security. When they take a case, they do so with a commitment to seeking the best possible results for each client they represent.