Five Ways to Help Your Business Lawyer Win Your Case
Developing a productive working relationship with your business lawyer can have a positive impact on your case. It can also help ease the stress that often accompanies business litigation.
As with any relationship, communication is essential. From the outset, you and your attorney should be on the same page regarding the cost and scope of the legal representation. It is also important to voice your expectations and preferences. Even something as simple as “I prefer to correspond via email,” or “Please only contact me on the weekend if it’s an emergency” can help establish a positive relationship.
Since time is often of the essence, it is also essential to respond quickly to any questions or requests from your attorney. You should also expect to receive regular updates regarding the status of your case.
Below are several other tips for helping your attorney win your business case:
(1) Provide the Context for the Suit
While your lawyer is an expert in the law, you know what happened factually. It is extremely helpful to create a written summary of the facts and circumstances that gave rise to the lawsuit. In many cases, a brief timeline of key dates is often very helpful. It is imperative to be accurate and thorough because your attorney will formulate your claims and defenses based on the information that you provide.
(2) Always Be Forthcoming
Don’t tell your attorney what you think he or she wants to hear, or what you think will help your case. As they say, honesty is always the best policy. For your attorney to succeed at trial, there shouldn’t be any surprises. Whether the information is good or bad, it is always best to err on the side of disclosure. If the information is harmful to your case, being up front at the outset will give your attorney the time needed to minimize the impact of harmful facts to your case.
(3) Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Your lawyer should explain key legal arguments in terms that you can understand. He or she should also let you know what to expect during legal proceedings, such as depositions and motion hearings. If you are unsure of a procedural strategy or legal position that is relevant to your case, it is always best to discuss your concerns with your attorney. Being prepared and confident before testifying at a deposition or trial can often go a long way.
(4) Gather and Organize All Relevant Information
Promptly gathering all relevant information and providing it to your attorney in an organized manner can give your attorney a jump on the case. That includes not only paper and electronic documents but also email and text messages. Being able to review the information easily and quickly not only helps your lawyer analyze the evidence you have to support your claims, but will also help avoid any surprises down the road.
(5) Be Patient
Business litigation is a marathon, not a sprint. While it may sometimes seem like the case is not progressing, your lawyer is likely working diligently behind the scenes. Due to overburdened court systems, it can also take a long time to schedule courts hearings and trials.
Portability of estate and gift tax enables a surviving spouse to inherit any unused portion of their deceased spouse’s federal estate and gift tax exemption. So, if one spouse doesn’t utilize their full exemption, the surviving spouse can effectively double their exemption amount with regard to estate tax liability. For married couples, portability offers a […]
Pet Trusts in New Jersey and New York: A Practical Estate Planning Tool
For many of us, pets are more than companions—they are members of the family. Yet they are often overlooked or inadequately provided for when it comes to estate planning. A pet trust offers a legally enforceable way to ensure that your animal continues to receive proper care if you become incapacitated or pass away. As […]
For many New Jersey business owners, a closely held company represents decades of work, financial investment, and personal sacrifice. Trusts in business succession planning are one of the most effective tools for protecting that value, allowing founders to control how and when the business passes to the next generation while reducing the risk of disputes, […]
Read Before You Sign: IT Contract Pitfalls Every NJ Business Should Know
In today’s digital economy, New Jersey businesses of all sizes rely heavily on technology vendors, software providers, cloud platforms, and managed IT services. Whether your company is purchasing software, migrating data to the cloud, engaging a cybersecurity consultant, or entering into a long-term managed services agreement, a careful IT contract review can have significant operational, […]
Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) remain a critical tool for protecting sensitive business information. However, New York NDA requirements have evolved, and businesses must ensure these agreements are carefully drafted to remain enforceable. In a competitive market like New York City, NDAs are commonly used to protect proprietary information, client relationships, and strategic plans. At the same […]
How Courts Evaluate Testamentary Capacity and Undue Influence Will contests in New Jersey are difficult to win, given the strong presumption that a properly executed will reflects the testator’s intent. However, challenges based on lack of testamentary capacity and undue influence remain common, particularly where there are concerns about mental capacity or the involvement of […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
