Civil Litigation Attorney
Serving Perry County, Juniata County, and New Bloomfield, PA
When you need help with a civil legal matter, whether it be forming a business, dealing with a real estate issue, or seeking money to compensate for certain damages, a skilled civil litigation attorney in Perry County, Juniata County, or New Bloomfield, PA can navigate the complex legal system on your behalf. Your civil litigation attorney will be able to work with you to determine your goals and address these issues appropriately.
Our civil litigation attorney at Czekaj Law, LLC is available to assist you no matter what your case may entail. Feel free to call us at (717) 275-9770 today to begin.
What is Civil Litigation?
Civil litigation often entails two or more parties using the court system to seek money damages or a specific performance as a result of a dispute. Additionally, your civil case lawyer can help you legally create a new business or assist you in dealing with the Juniata, Perry or surrounding County tax assessor’s office. These cases are different than the criminal courts in which the state seeks to punish someone who it believes violated the law.
Your civil litigation attorney must be knowledgeable about how to approach your case and also have a good understanding of Pennsylvania civil procedure. Only a small part of civil litigation actually occurs in a courtroom. The vast majority of the litigation process takes place in hearings, arbitrations, and negotiations in law office or government buildings. In order to successfully handle all of the meetings and deadlines that come with litigation, it is important to have an experienced legal advocate.
Czekaj Law, LLC can assist you in your civil case. Of the many suits and actions we work on, some include:
- Landlord and Tenant Law – Landlords in Pennsylvania have the right to evict tenants for a variety of reasons including failure to pay rent. However, an eviction notice must be done properly in order to be successful. We have the experience in both helping landlords protect their investments, and helping tenants protect their rights when threatened.
- Real Estate Law – Whether you’re buying, selling, or developing real estate, you will have to abide by the many property codes and laws of Pennsylvania. Our firm’s knowledge in real estate matters includes helping our clients deal with property tax assessment. We understand how to help you get an ideal and fair property assessment or to solve any administrative problem with the tax assessor office in Juniata County, Perry County, or neighboring counties.
- Business Law – Creating a new business is an exciting undertaking. Your business attorney can make sure that you create the proper legal entity whether it be an LLC, S-Corp, or C-Corp. We can also make sure that you have a partnership agreement that works best for you and your partners no matter what the future holds for you professionally or personally.
The Civil Litigation Process
Your Central Pennsylvania civil suit lawyer will work with you to achieve your objectives, while also finding ways to use the complex and daunting civil court process to your advantage. The litigation process is governed by federal, state, and local court rules. They can vary greatly depending on both location and action type. However, the civil litigation process often looks like this:
- Pleadings – Litigation begins with the pleading stage. This is where the plaintiff’s attorney files a complaint with the court against the defendant. Here the filing party states the facts as they believe them to be, and a summary of damages is included as well. The defendant can then provide an answer to this complaint. If you are suing someone, this is a crucial state where your civil litigation attorney introduces your case to the court. However, if you are being sued, this is where your attorney can provide the court with your response explaining why you are not liable.
- Motions – At this stage your attorney can file an early motion. If you are suing someone, your attorney can file a motion with the court for summary judgment. This would be done when the parties do not disagree about the facts of the case, and your lawyer would like the court to determine the case in your favor at this time. If you are being sued your lawyer can also file a similar motion in your defense. A motion to dismiss is done by the defendant’s attorney where they seek to demonstrate that the lawsuit has no legal merit, and they request that the court dismiss the suit entirely.
- Discovery – During the discovery phase, the parties gather evidence. Documents and other evidence are shared between the parties involved. Here it is crucial that you have an experienced attorney who knows what evidence to seek and request from the opposing side. This phase includes conferences with the judge where your attorney will ask for certain items to be produced by the other side, or may ask that certain items be suppressed from the record. This is also the phase where possible settlements will be negotiated with the opposing side.
- Depositions – During the discovery phase your case may include depositions. A deposition is testimony given under oath by people involved in the lawsuit. It may include the plaintiff and defendant as well as witnesses. These are usually conducted in lawyers’ office, but they may feel like you are sitting on the stand and being grilled in court. Depositions are intimidating and require proper preparation. With the help of your attorney, you will be able to feel confident that your case will make the most out of this aggressive part of a civil suit.
- Trial – Before reaching the trial phase, most cases end either with a dismissal or settlement between the parties. However, if your case reaches a trial, your attorney will have to present your case in court to the judge and jury. The plaintiff’s side must meet its burden of proving that their claims are true. If the court finds against the defendant, then the defendant’s attorney may file an appeal arguing that the judgment was incorrect on its legal grounds. Your experienced civil litigation attorney will be able to take your case through a trial and additionally navigate any possible appeal or damages negotiations.
Civil Litigation Documents
The documentation in a civil court process can be absolutely overwhelming. Every document has its own important role in your legal suit, and civil procedure is full of important deadlines which if missed can greatly jeopardize your case. Your civil litigation lawyer will be able to lead your case through the many court motions that it may encounter. Of the many documents that are involved in civil litigation, some include:
- Subpoenas – A subpoena is a court order requiring a person to attend a proceeding to testify. Subpoenas can also order a person to produce documents or other evidence for the court. If someone’s testimony is important to your case, your civil litigation attorney can ask the court to subpoena that person. If you yourself have received a subpoena, it is crucial that you do not ignore it, and do not hesitate to contact your civil lawyer to answer any questions you may have.
- Affidavits – An affidavit is a written statement of facts that is made under oath. Affidavits can sometimes be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
- Injunctions – An injunction is a court order that is meant to stop a person from doing something. Your lawyer can request that the court file an injunction against another party. Additionally, your lawyer can help you if a court is presenting you with an injunction.
- Promissory Note – A promissory note is a signed document where one person promises to pay the bearer of the note a certain amount of money on demand. These documents are common in business ventures.
A Central Pennsylvania civil case lawyer from Czekaj Law, LLC has the experience to use the many court documents and motions to your advantage in your civil case. Your lawyer can also help you understand any court document that you may receive.
A Civil Litigation Lawyer Can Help You
If you are involved in a legal action or undertaking in the Pennsylvania civil courts, a skilled and experienced litigation attorney in Perry County, Juniata County, or New Bloomfield, PA can be of great value. Civil litigation is full of strict procedures and crucial deadlines, and we can help you make the most of your civil case or challenge. Contact a Perry County civil litigation lawyer at Czekaj Law, LLC to find out how we can help you get the best results. Call today at (717) 275-9770 .