If you filed a civil lawsuit, a civil lawyer would represent your case. Also known as litigators, civil or public attorneys are lawyers hired by clients to pursue a lawsuit in a court of law. They primarily work in civil courts, but they can also participate in mediation and arbitration processes that take place in the following:

  • Foreign tribunals
  • Administrative agencies
  • State court
  • Federal court

If you are planning to hire a Crawfordsville civil lawsuit attorney, here is what you need to know about these civil lawyers.

Job Description

Once a defendant or plaintiff hires a civil lawyer, the lawyer takes over the litigation. Although they have to defer to their client on matters concerning settlement offers, the attorney is in charge of the more detailed and crucial tasks, such as:

  • Communicating with the court and the other party’s lawyer
  • Interviewing everyone involved in the lawsuit to build the case
  • Taking depositions from witnesses
  • Serving discovery requests (requests for specific information) on the other party. In divorce cases, these requests involve having spouses list down their financial assets and resources.
  • Filing briefs, motions, and other documents
  • Negotiating a settlement with the other party’s lawyers
  • Gathering witnesses
  • Presenting the case before the court or a jury

While you have full control over your lawsuit — you decide who to sue, when to settle, and when to file a suit — it’s best to defer to your civil lawyer’s judgment in all legal decisions. Heed their advice when it comes to building your case.  

Why Should You Hire a Civil Attorney?

Civil lawyers do more than just defending national injustices; they also work on cases involving personal injustices. They also work on the following cases:

  • Trusts
  • Divorce
  • Contracts
  • Wills
  • Titles
  • Mortgages
  • Personal injury
  • Workers compensation

Beyond evidence gathering, civil attorneys listen to your side of the story and help you structure how you want to present yourself to the court and the opposing party.

How Much Do the Services of Civil Attorneys Cost?

The cost of your civil lawyer will depend on the experience of the lawyer you hire, the area of the law your claim encompasses, the time spent on defending or pursuing the lawsuit, and the difficulty of the case. Your chosen fee structure will also affect the cost of your attorney. Some lawyers take cases for a flat rate while others charge per hour. 

Do You Need a Civil Attorney?

If you plan to file a lawsuit, you cannot fight this legal battle alone. You’ll need the assistance of a civil attorney. They can help you navigate through the complex court system, as well as ensure you do not miss any document or deadline.

Civil lawyers help you determine the likelihood of your case’s success should you decide to go to trial. If you have been sued, you should also speak to a civil attorney so they can help you respond to the lawsuit within an appropriate time frame.

If you have more questions about civil lawyer practices, get in touch with us today to learn more!