When someone asks what kind of legal practice I’m involved in, I tell them I practice general litigation. Most people seem to look at me with a blank stare. It’s probably a good thing that they don’t know what litigation is. For those who have been or who are going through it, they find that the word “Litigation” is not a simple term.
Litigation is a process. Metaphorically, it is a whole staircase of steps in a dispute from the beginning of an issue to a resolution. It involves two or more parties that have some sort of conflict and may never even involve the court system. The steps in the staircase may involve something as simple as writing a letter to the other party or as complicated as going to a full-blown trial.
Litigation begins with a conflict arising and one of the parties (Plaintiff or Defendant) seeks assistance from an attorney. The attorney must then evaluate the matter and assist the client in making some decisions on how to move down the staircase. Sometimes, these decisions are very intricate, leading to a mixed jar of emotions and confusion. Experts may have to put information together for the client to see the full picture and make informed decisions.
No matter what steps are taken in the process of litigation, a litigation attorney has the job of explaining the process to the client, investigating to advise on options and decisions, and eventually lead the dispute to a landing in the staircase. Litigation may be a complex word and describe more than one thing, but the attorneys at Goosmann Law Firm, PLC, in Omaha, Sioux City, or Sioux Falls offices can help.