A settlement conference is a court-ordered or voluntary meeting where the parties, their attorneys, and sometimes a judge or neutral mediator meet to discuss whether a lawsuit can be resolved without proceeding to trial. Unlike a trial, no witnesses testify, and no evidence is formally presented. The purpose is not for the court to decide […]
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When a Lawsuit Is Challenged Before the Facts Are Ever Heard
A court may be asked to dismiss a lawsuit before the parties exchange documents, take depositions, or present evidence. That is the purpose of a motion to dismiss. For business owners unfamiliar with litigation, a motion to dismiss can be confusing. Some assume the lawsuit is over, while others believe the motion is simply a […]
What Happens During a Deposition and Why It Matters
Few moments in a business lawsuit create more anxiety than a deposition. For many business owners, it is also one of the first times they will answer questions under oath outside of a courtroom. That prospect alone can make the experience intimidating. What surprises many people, however, is that a deposition is not about dramatic […]
The Discovery Phase: Where Business Lawsuits Are Often Won or Lost
When prospective clients think about litigation, they tend to picture a made-for-TV trial, with elaborate opening statements from counsel, star witnesses, a no-nonsense judge, and a dramatic final decision. Yet in many business disputes, the most important work happens long before anyone steps into a courtroom for trial, during discovery. Discovery is the phase of […]
Why Business Litigation Is a Process, Not an Event
Business owners are accustomed to solving problems quickly. A customer issue arises and is addressed. A vendor misses a deadline, and a solution is implemented. An operational challenge appears, and the business adapts. Litigation works differently. One of the most common frustrations business owners experience during a lawsuit is the feeling that the case is […]
The First Court Appearance: What Business Owners Should Expect
The first court appearance is often one of the most anticipated moments in a business lawsuit. For many business owners, it is also one of the most misunderstood. TV shows and movies have conditioned people to expect dramatic arguments, surprise evidence, and decisive courtroom victories. Business owners often imagine their attorney standing before the judge […]
The Red Flag Most Business Owners Miss During a Partnership Dispute
The first sign of a partnership dispute is rarely an argument. Instead, it usually starts with an unanswered question. A request for financial information goes unanswered, or a report arrives late. Sometimes, a partner makes a decision without explaining why. At other times, that partner may take steps to restrict access to the business’s records. […]
The Seven-Figure Business Lawsuit You Never Knew Existed
If you asked most business owners, they would likely say they would know if their company was being sued. After all, a lawsuit seems like the kind of event that would be impossible to miss. Unfortunately, that assumption has cost some businesses hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of dollars. It happens more often than […]