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Litigation attorneys help people resolve disputes through the court system. They file lawsuits and responses to lawsuits, investigate facts, interview the other side, research the law and argue your case in court. They also negotiate settlements.

Litigation attorneys should be familiar not only with the law in their particular area, but also with the court rules and the preferences and tendencies of the judge assigned to a case. They should be an active part of the legal community, have a good reputation among colleagues and judges and have the skills to fight for your interests if necessary.

There are thousands of litigation attorneys in Illinois. When looking for a litigation attorney, narrow your search by focusing on attorneys in the specific area of law you’re dealing with. Attorneys usually focus on one or two areas, which is recommended because it gives them a deeper understanding of the law than someone who handles a wide variety of cases. Look for a medical malpractice attorney if you’ve been injured by a health care provider, a products liability attorney if you have been injured by a defective product, a personal injury attorney if you were injured by a dangerous condition on someone else’s property, a business attorney if you are involved in a business dispute, or a probate attorney if you are contesting a will. There are also litigation attorneys who handle collections, wrongful death, nursing home abuse, etc. If your case doesn’t seem to fit easily into a specific category, give us a call and we can help you figure it out.

A litigation attorney can help you pursue a lawsuit, but also defend you or your business against a lawsuit. Litigation often is a complex process, which can easily last a year, or even longer. After a lawsuit is filed, there is time for the other side to respond. Next, both sides conduct discovery, which is the process of gathering information and documents to support a case. There may be motions, status hearings, extensions and settlement negotiations before a case gets to trial. The majority of cases settle before trial.

Litigation attorneys generally get paid on a contingency basis. If you win your case, you pay your attorney a portion of what you recover. If you lose, you pay nothing. Most costs are covered by the attorney upfront. If you are defending a lawsuit, you’ll likely pay an hourly fee. If you have insurance that covers the situation, your insurance company should provide a defense attorney. You also might pay an hourly fee if you are asking the court for something other than money (family law cases, for example).

Most litigation attorneys give free consultations. When meeting with an attorney for the first time, ask a lot of questions. Ask about their experience, how long they’ve been practicing, how they would approach your case, whether they’ve handled similar cases in the past, how they communicate with clients and how much they charge. You do not have to hire the first attorney you speak with. If it doesn’t feel right, get a second opinion.

Finding the right attorney for your case isn’t always easy, which is why we started this service. We know litigation attorneys throughout the state and only recommend those we trust. If we wouldn’t recommend them to a family member, we won’t recommend them to you.

If you have questions about litigation, or if you would like a referral to an experienced litigation attorney, contact us.