Find Legal Topics > Law Firm Laws > Litigation Law Firm

Litigation Law Firm


What is a Litigation Law Firm?

A litigation law firm is a legal entity comprised of one or more legal specialists (lawyers, paralegals etc.) to engage in the formal practice of law. The primary services rendered by a litigation law firm are to advise and represent clients (business entities or individuals) filing or charged with a claim, misdemeanor or felony. A litigation law firm represents those facing legal quandaries in a formal court of law. A litigation law firm proves beneficial in these matters, because they are well versed with a particular state or jurisdiction’s laws. Through this knowledge, a litigation law firm will illuminate your legal future, responsibilities and rights as it is concerned with your legal matter. In addition to advising and illuminating the client on the legal matter, a litigation law firm’s primary task is to represent their clients in a formal court of law. A litigation law firm’s primary skill is, not surprisingly, litigation. The act of representing someone in court is a special trait; a litigation law firm is comprised of trial lawyers who are adept with legal procedure. 

Do I Need a Litigation Law Firm?

As a general rule, if you are being charged with a crime, a serious misdemeanor, are a party to a civil suit, or are an acting defendant/prosecutor to any legal matter brought to trial, you will need to hire a litigation law firm. Although it is your legal right to represent yourself in the court of law, it is strongly suggested that you let a professional trial lawyer litigate on your behalf. If you are unsure as to whether or not your matter is going to trial, you should still contact a litigation law firm to discuss your situation. 

A litigation law firm is a very broad term. Every jurisdiction in the United States invariably contains numerous litigation law firms; each litigation law firm specializes in a distinct area of law. So, for example, if you have been charged with a DUI and need representation you must contact a DUI litigation law firm. If you are charged with a felony, you should contact a criminal litigation law firm. If you are looking to collect money from a personal injury suit, you should contact a personal injury litigation law firm etc.

You do not need to contact a litigation law firm if you are not facing a legal dilemma. However, if you are confused about a certain legal situation and would like to speak to a legal professional you must contact a litigation law firm. Depending on your legal matter, some lawyers will not charge a fee for providing advice or engaging in a preliminary discussion. In most cases, civil law litigations, including personal injury lawyers, slip and fall lawyers will not charge for preliminary meetings or consultations. These types of lawyers do not charge for preliminary meetings because they operate under contingency fees—they only take cases that they think they can win because they only receive money if a settlement is secured. 

How do I Find a Litigation Law Firm in my Area?

If you are in a legal quandary and need to find a litigation law firm in your area, you should follow these steps:

To find a suitable litigation law firm in your area, conduct a geo-specific Internet search via Google or other popular search engines. Click on the “maps” or “local” tab and type-in “litigation law firms” and the search engine will provide a comprehensive list of all the litigation law firms in your area. Remember, each listing is broad in nature and will not necessarily meet your specific needs. To narrow your search you should type-in the area of law your legal matter revolves around. For instance, if you are involved in a robbery and a legal suit follows, you must contact a criminal litigation law firm in your area. 

Internet searches allow you to compile a list of litigation law firms in your area. After gathering a list of local litigation law firms, you should cross-reference each firm by contacting your state’s BAR association, the respective firm’s website and client testimonials and reviews made available online. Typically, you will be able to procure additional information on these sits by conducting thorough searches for each firm. This information illuminates a prospective litigation law firm’s experience and credentials. If your case is crucial to your future, you will need to take these reviews very seriously. It is incredibly important to hire a reputable litigation law firm. This information will illuminate the lawyer’s educational background, experience and skill set. 

After the above steps are fulfilled, you will have a better understanding for the types of litigation law firms in your region. In addition to this information, you must seek advice from family and friends who have faced similar legal predicaments in the past.

How Much Will My Litigation Law Firm Charge?

As stated before, fees associated with litigation law firms are dependent on your legal matter. In general, a criminal litigation law firm operates under one of the following payment schedules: hourly, retainer or flat fee. An hourly fee is self-explanatory: the lawyer charges hourly for services rendered. A flat fee, requires you to pay a lump sum before services are rendered. A retainer serves as an escrow account. You are charged a flat fee before services are rendered. These funds are placed in escrow and withdrawn for services rendered. Lastly, a litigation law firm may charge a contingency fee. As stated above, these fees are most common for civil litigation law firms. Under this platform, a lawyer will only charge for services rendered if a settlement is secured. 

Related Topics