There’s a lot of hype and misinformation around the corporate lawsuit, which can make it particularly intimidating if you find yourself sued. Unless you know what to expect, you’re likely to be unsure of how to handle it. While it’s essential to find a competent litigation attorney to assist you, you should already know what it means to face a lawsuit and put yourself in the best position to defend against one. If you’ve already been sued, it’s even more urgent to learn what to expect.
Consulting with a Business Attorney
Typically, there are prior warnings that indicate you’re in danger of being sued, such as cease-and-desist letters in the event of intellectual property infringement. If you haven’t already established a relationship with a trusted business lawyer, you should seek one out as soon as you receive any indications that you might be in danger of a lawsuit, because you’ll have 30 days once you’ve been served. This is the timeframe in which you can defuse a situation and avoid court action. A skilled attorney will give you the perspective you need to handle it properly.
Avoiding a Corporate Lawsuit
There are steps you can take to avoid a corporate lawsuit, such as choosing a business name that isn’t likely to infringe on someone else’s trademark, but the fact of the matter is that lawsuits are a part of the business. Even if you do your best to avoid them, accidents beyond your control can lead to one, particularly when it comes to product quality disputes or billing issues. When you are faced with a suit, it’s usually best to negotiate with your opponent to avoid a costly legal battle. Of course, some aspects of a lawsuit cost less than others, so you should look to your own litigation lawyer to decide whether it’s worth letting it go to court or whether a settlement is more to your advantage.
The Outcome of a Corporate Lawsuit
When facing a corporate lawsuit, you have a range of possible outcomes that can occur. First, you can reach an agreement or settlement with the opposing party. Another possibility could involve the judge dismissing the case outright. Other results involve going before a judge or jury, where litigation attorneys for both sides will present their cases and make arguments. Even if you can’t avoid going to court for a lawsuit, hiring a professional litigator early on will give you a better sense of what to expect. As your business and legal advocate, a company attorney will fill in the gaps for your particular situation and keep you headed in the right direction.