A litigation attorney is most simply an attorney who specializes in litigation. Litigation is basically just a fancy legal term for the practice of carrying a lawsuit through the court process. At the heart of these cases there is almost always a litigation attorney. Knowing the difference between litigation attorneys and other types of attorneys can help you hire the right one for your needs.

Different Types Of Attorneys

Many people don’t realize that not all lawyers present cases in a court of law in front of a judge and jury. Television shows and high profile news cases glamorize lawyers and courtroom proceedings, making it seem as though lawyers spend all their time in court, presenting evidence and arguing cases before a judge and jury. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

In fact, the vast majority of lawyers never see the inside of a courtroom. They spend most of their time advising their clients on the law or drafting and reviewing documents. These lawyers may be general practice lawyers, estate attorneys or work for large corporations as corporate attorneys, sometimes called legal counsel. Criminal law attorneys represent those accused of committing crimes and often find themselves representing clients in a courtroom. Still other attorneys work for various units of government as state attorney generals, public defenders or prosecutors.

Litigation attorneys, by contrast, are lawyers who specialize in lawsuits. They tend to specialize in civil law and are most often the type of attorney you will find in a courtroom. If you intend to go to court to settle a dispute, you’ll need one of these lawyers.

Education And Training

Like all attorneys, litigators have completed four years of undergraduate schooling followed by an additional three years of law school. Following graduation, they must pass the bar exam for the state in which they intend to work before they can practice law. Attorneys often participate in continuing education classes and may even take additional law school courses in order to specialize in a certain area of law such as probate, wills, bankruptcy, divorce or insurance, among many others.

Most litigation attorneys will have chosen one or two areas of focus. They will devote time throughout their career to honing their knowledge related to these areas of law and keeping current with changes to the law.

What A Litigation Attorney Does

The primary job of this attorney is to carry a case to and through the court system.

He or she performs all of the pre-trial work needed to get a lawsuit moving. This includes creating a written demand for resolution or direct filing of a lawsuit. Once the lawsuit has been filed, the lawyer will perform research related to the suit such as questioning witnesses and gathering evidence for use in the event the case goes to trial.

If the case does go to trial, the litigation attorney will represent the client at the trial. He or she will present the client’s case, question and cross-examine witnesses, and introduce evidence. The attorney is interested in getting the best possible result for the client. Sometimes that involves going to court, but the lawyer may also successfully bring resolution to the dispute by settling out of court.

Benefits Of Hiring A Litigation Lawyer

Litigators are knowledgeable about the law in general, which is necessary for resolving a dispute. But they are also well versed in the rules governing court cases. There are procedures and rules that must be followed to properly file and litigate a claim. Having someone on your side who has this knowledge is a prime reason why people hire litigation lawyers to present their cases.

It is important to understand the qualifications and limitations of any lawyer you hire. If you intend to settle a dispute in court, the experience that a litigation attorney can offer may prove invaluable to you. Choosing an attorney is just like choosing any other service provider. You want to make sure you choose the right one for the right job.

Wagner Sidlofsky LLP is a Toronto boutique litigation firm providing counsel to international and Canadian individuals and businesses involved in disputes. The firm’s areas of practice include Estate Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Elder Law and Tax Litigation. They only litigate. As a niche law firm, their lawyers’ proficiency has developed from the single minded focus of practice in areas of expertise. Every lawyer brings his/her own unique talents to the firm, but each shares a commitment to excellence. They get results for their clients by tenaciously and aggressively advocating for their clients. The firm’s lawyers regularly appear in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal as well as various administrative tribunals.

Personal injury cases are not always cut and dry. An auto accident attorney can advise you of your rights, and what will be required of you if you decide to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Often filing a personal injury lawsuit is the only way to get your medical expenses paid and find financial relief for your family.

Auto accidents can change everything, especially when you were not the one at fault. In the blink of an eye your life changed dramatically and the secure future you had is now in question due to someone else’s actions. Personal injury can devastate a family financially, and attorneys are here to help rectify the situation so you can get your life back on track.

Attorneys can empower you to reclaim your dignity after a tragic accident. The suffering that comes from a personal injury like an auto accident typically isn’t understood until it happens to you. Personal injury affects more than just your physical health. Medication for pain can make you depressed, the strain on your family can take its toll, surgery can have ill effects on the body, and the mountains of paperwork that is necessary in order to keep up with personal injury affairs can be daunting. Attorneys are there every step of the way to guide you, and to empower you against the oppression of the opposing legal representative. The insurance company representing the other driver doesn’t want to give you anything more than they absolutely are required to give, and they will seek out reasons to deny your claims. Attorneys are very good at noticing the little things you are being denied and fighting for your rights to claim them.

Personal injury can inhibit your lifestyle, either temporarily or permanently. Personal injury can put your lifestyle in jeopardy if you do not have a good attorney working on your behalf. A quality attorney can keep you from making mistakes in your personal injury case. Even tiny little innocent mistakes can cost you a personal injury claim.

While we tend to live in a litigious country where people are far too quick to make legal claims against each other, auto accident attorneys will tell you that most people are too slow to file personal injury cases. It is a fact of our society that insurance companies and people alike don’t want to pay their fair share for their mistakes and to truly take care of the needs of those who are hurt. Perhaps if we lived in a society that owned up to the harm they caused others, we wouldn’t have the need for auto accident attorneys and personal injury lawsuits. Yet the truth of the matter remains that it is rare for anyone, insurance companies especially, to hand over the appropriate amount of care for those who have been the unfortunate victim of an accident.

When you decide to contact an attorney, don’t be afraid to shop around a little. Just as there are high quality plumbers and the plumbers you don’t want anywhere near your pipes, there are also very good auto accident attorneys and there are attorneys that you don’t want anywhere near your personal injury lawsuit. Ask questions, do your homework, and settle on the attorney that you feel will best represent your needs.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit can be a stressful experience. When talking to an attorney, make sure that they explain everything that is involved and what will be expected of you. Doing so can alleviate a lot of stress and worry. Stay in regular contact with your attorney and keep them well apprised of your personal injury status. As your doctors make recommendations and discuss treatment options with you, it is always a good idea to update your attorney. This information will help your attorney make legal decisions with you and to know how to best represent your personal injury case.