businessman hands tearing apart money banknote into two peaces. vector illustration in flat designIn this series on defining wins in litigation, we’ve talked about defining the goals and strategies at the outset, clear and open communication, and the benefits of resolving a dispute both financially and reputationally.  The final piece in this series discusses why mitigating the plaintiff’s damage recovery can also be a “win”.  I can speak from experience because I have effectively used this strategy for a client.

Suppose your customer accuses your company of taking certain actions that violated the terms of your contract.  After digging into the contract and some other communications between the parties, it is clear you breached the contract.  It also appears that your employees’ actions violate a statute that allows the customer to recover punitive damages.  The customer claims $500,000 in compensatory damages, and wants another $3 million in punitive damages.  What do you do from a litigation strategy standpoint?
Continue Reading Defining a Win in Litigation: Mitigating Losses

Last month we talked about how establishing goals for litigation “wins” requires taking emotion out of litigation, and clear communication between lawyer and client.  We also talked about the need to re-evaluate litigation goals as the facts and issues develop.  This month we’re going to discuss the hidden costs of litigation, and the benefits of early resolution.
Continue Reading Defining a Win in Litigation: Addressing the Hidden Costs

Last month I talked about how litigation “wins” don’t always require a jury finding in your favor.  This month we continue talking about reaching litigation “wins” through early communication and objectivity. If I got $100 for every time a client told me during an initial consultation that they wanted to extract a pound of flesh from the other side, I’d probably living the island life right now.  These clients aren’t individuals looking to sue some international conglomerate; most are entrepreneurs or business executives.  And I guarantee you that I am not alone.  Most lawyers would tell you they hear the same thing from clients during their initial consultation.  Sometimes clients continue that mantra for several months.  Some even go so far as to say something like, “I don’t care what it costs.  I want justice!”  I get it too.  When a client first contacts a lawyer about litigation, it’s because the client believes: (1) somebody did something that hurt the client (physically, emotionally or economically); or (2) somebody brought a bogus lawsuit against them. 
Continue Reading Defining a Win in Litigation: Flexible Goals and Open Communication Establish a Solid Foundation

Does a “win” in litigation require a final judgment in your favor?  Not necessarily.  Litigation “wins” are defined by the circumstances facing a party at the outset of litigation, and how those circumstances change as litigation progresses.  Over the next few months we will dive deeper into this topic, and talk about issues such as:
Continue Reading Defining a Win in Litigation

The 86th Texas Legislative Session has been in swing for almost two months, so we thought now would be a good time to highlight some proposed legislation relating to civil litigation that may affect your business.

What if my Opponent Files a Claim in Arbitration After the Statute of Limitations Expires?
Continue Reading Litigation-Related Legislative Bills that May Affect Your Texas Company

Wanting to comply with the latest edict of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and give a recently released felon a break, Awft N. Cawssius ignored Pa Roll’s answer of “yes” to whether he had been convicted of a crime in the last five years and hired Pa to work as an armed security guard

Johnny Tightlips, a local mobster, is facing time behind bars for various racketeering offenses. During the trial, the New York Daily Planet reported that Tightlips was a “key lieutenant” of Jimmy “The Squid” Calamari, an organized crime figure, and that Tightlips planned to reduce his jail time by cooperating with prosecutors to testify against The

Sal Minella is president and registered agent of Mother Clucking Tasty Chicken, a large poultry processor in East Texas. One afternoon, while flying the coop for a much needed vacation to the Canary Islands, Sal is met by a process server who presents him with a lawsuit. Sal quickly skims the allegations of the lawsuit