Civil Litigation Lawyers

If you face a dispute with another person or a company that requires seeking legal action to resolve, do not hesitate to contact the Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC. We might be able to represent you by litigating your case or trying to resolve the matter in mediation.

Civil cases often involve disputes between two or multiple parties. Pursuing a lawsuit might be necessary to recover compensation, hold someone liable for their actions, or resolve a dispute before a judge. Whether you decide you want to attempt to negotiate a settlement or take your case to court, our civil litigation lawyers in Ozark, AR, can help.

Although you might think you can handle your case alone, the reality is that civil cases are more complicated than most people realize. Lawsuits involve various steps, deadlines, paperwork, and procedures. You must draft legal documents to file with the court and prepare for a trial in front of a judge or jury. Investigating cases and obtaining the evidence you need can be challenging. You should have an experienced legal team by your side to guide you through the process.

At the Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC, we have over 20 years of experience in litigation. Our trial attorneys understand the complexities of various civil disputes. Whether you want to sue your landlord, business partner, ex-spouse, or someone responsible for causing your injury, we are ready to take legal action on your behalf. When you hire us, we will review the situation and create a personalized strategy to meet the unique needs of your case. You can depend on us to fight hard to try to reach your desired outcome.

Call the Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC at 479-222-6773 today for your free case evaluation with one of our dedicated and trusted Fort Smith civil litigation lawyers.

Understanding Civil Litigation

Civil cases are similar to criminal matters when it comes to the fundamental process. Each party can present their argument in federal or state court. The judge or jury reviews the evidence and makes a judgment based on the facts presented to them. The major difference between civil and criminal cases is that civil cases involve disputes, sometimes with monetary losses, while criminal cases involve crimes.

Civil litigation is a non-criminal legal process where one party pursues a lawsuit against another. The parties involved can be governmental agencies or employees, private individuals, or businesses. Litigating a case in court means there is a plaintiff and defendant. The plaintiff seeks some sort of judgment against the defendant, whether it’s compensation for a car accident or a court order for alimony payments.

Differences Between Civil and Criminal Cases

Criminal and civil procedures require following multiple steps and complying with various state laws. Both involve the goal of seeking justice. However, the end result is significantly different. Criminal defendants face sentencing, such as imprisonment, fines, community service, and probation. Civil defendants often face financial penalties for their misconduct.

It can be more challenging to prove that the defendant is guilty in a criminal matter because the burden of proof must be met to a higher standard. The prosecutor must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The process requires providing solid evidence, witness testimony, and other elements. On the other hand, a civil lawsuit has a lower burden of proof. Although it can be difficult to show fault, demonstrating what happened is a bit more straightforward than in criminal cases.

The Role of a Civil Litigation Attorney

Civil litigation attorneys are also called trial lawyers or litigators. Their job is to represent the company or individual wronged by someone else in a non-criminal matter. A trial lawyer’s responsibilities can vary depending on the circumstances of the case. Sometimes, resolving the dispute is possible through arbitration or mediation. In other circumstances, a time-consuming trial is the only way to conclude the matter, whether the result is positive or negative for the plaintiff.

The Ozark civil litigation lawyers of the Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC represent clients in a range of civil proceedings, including:

Depositions
Arbitration
Trial
Pre-trial hearings
Mediations
Settlement conferences
Appeals

No matter what step of the civil process you face, the Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC can step in and handle it.

Common Types of Civil Litigation Cases

Civil litigation can result from a wide range of circumstances. The most common types of civil cases are below.

Business-Related Disagreements

Business owners can find themselves in a legal dispute with other parties, such as:

Employees
Business partners
Contractors
Shareholders
Clients/customers

As a business owner, you can encounter various issues that require litigation, such as:

Breach of contract
Fraud
Trade secrets
Non-compete agreement
Dissolution of partnership
Unfair business practices
Breach of warranty

Landlord and Tenant Disputes

Landlords and tenants enter into agreements requiring each person to fulfill their duties and obligations. The tenant must pay a specific amount in rent to reside in the landlord’s rental property. One party might discover that the other has not met the terms of the contract.

For example, the landlord promised to return the security deposit within a specific number of days after the tenant vacated the property. However, the landlord decided to hold onto the full amount due to damage they claim the tenant caused.

Various other disputes can arise between landlords and tenants that lead to lawsuits. The most common include:

Breach of the lease
Unpaid rent
Unsafe or unhealthy living conditions
Wrongfully withholding the security deposit
Unlawful eviction
Retaliation by the landlord for tenant’s complaints

Financial Matters

Anyone can find themselves in a financial dispute with another party. They happen between lenders, insurance companies, banks, creditors, brokers, and additional entities and individuals. Litigation might be the only course of action you can take when facing complications with your financial affairs.

Common financial cases in civil court include:

Misrepresentation
Compliance issues
Loan default
Securities fraud
Violation of privacy

Real Estate

Real estate can be a valuable asset to individuals, developers, property management companies, and others. Unfortunately, matters involving the building, selling, purchasing, and modifying of property can lead to a range of issues between the parties involved.

Common types of civil real estate problems you could encounter include:

Boundary disputes
Foreclosure
Property contracts
Building permits
Property titles

Personal Injury

Personal injury refers to an injury someone’s negligence causes to another party. When you get hurt in an accident that isn’t your fault, you can pursue legal action against the negligent party. Holding someone liable for your injury might require filing a civil lawsuit against them.

Cases involving personal injury can include:

Medical malpractice
Slip and fall
Workplace accidents
Wrongful death
Motor vehicle accidents

Family Law Matters

Whether you’re filing for divorce, petitioning for a protective order, or negotiating the terms of child custody, you can face obstacles that delay the process. Settling the matter outside of court might not be possible if you experience resistance from the opposing party. Every dispute does not need to result in a lawsuit. However, litigation is often the only option available when you can’t reach an agreement.

You can pursue a lawsuit for a range of family law issues, including:

Child support
Modifications to a court order
Divorce proceedings
Prenuptial agreements
Domestic abuse
Spousal support

Employment Cases

Issues in the workplace can have far-reaching consequences. Unfair termination affects the individual’s livelihood and the family they support. Harassment and discrimination create unfavorable working conditions. It’s unfortunate that resolving these problems can only happen by filing a lawsuit.

Employment matters that often result in litigation include:

Overtime violations
Harassment
Labor union disputes
Wrongful termination
Unpaid wages or benefits
Discrimination

At the Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC, our civil litigation lawyers in Fort Smith, AR, know how to build cases involving any dispute related to a civil matter. We have experience investigating numerous scenarios and gathering the available evidence to prove what happened. You can expect our team to protect your rights and fight by your side until the end.

How to Avoid Trial in a Civil Case

It is your right to file a lawsuit in civil court. However, you might have other options for resolving the issue without proceeding to trial. The two main alternative dispute resolution types are:

Mediation – Opposing parties can meet with their attorneys and a mediator to try to settle the matter outside of court. During mediation, the mediator communicates each side’s arguments to the other. The parties involved in the case try to come to an agreement among themselves. The mediator isn’t responsible for making any decisions. They’re there to offer possible solutions.
Arbitration – Arbitration is similar to mediation. Both parties meet with an arbitrator to discuss the case. Each side can present evidence, witness testimony, and other information to argue their position. However, the arbitrator is the one to make the final decision to settle the dispute.

The Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC can represent you during mediation or arbitration if you want to try to settle your case before trial. We will try to find a way to protect your interests, so you walk away with what you rightfully deserve.

Contact Us

The Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC believes in advocating for our clients. You will be our top priority while we pursue legal action for the dispute you face with another person or a company. Our Ozark civil litigation lawyers will aggressively seek a favorable resolution to the matter so you can put this stressful ordeal behind you.

If you need legal representation in a civil case, call the Powell & Rose Law Firm, PLLC at 479-222-6773 for your free consultation today.