Questions owners ask before they hire a litigator

Both. I sue for companies and owners, and I defend them. The one exception is insurance coverage, where I act only for policyholders.

Owner-run companies, usually with somewhere between a handful and a hundred employees, and the people who own them. I don’t take consumer, family or personal injury cases.

Yes. Many commercial contracts require it. Arbitration has its own rules and costs, and I’ll tell you whether it helps or hurts your side.

Most cases are billed by the hour, with a monthly statement showing every entry. For some claims I’ll consider a flat fee for a stage, or a partial contingency. The engagement letter sets out the arrangement, and you remain responsible for court costs, filing fees and expert fees unless it says otherwise.

Sometimes: if the contract says so, or if a statute allows it. Many contracts include a clause that makes the losing side pay the winner’s fees. It cuts both ways, and we’ll weigh it before you file.

Nothing. It’s a conversation to see whether I can help and whether there’s a conflict. Legal advice begins once we’ve signed an engagement letter.

Most business lawsuits that don’t settle early take a year or more to reach trial. Many settle sooner, often at mediation. I’ll give you a realistic timeline after reading the file.

Most don’t. I prepare each one as though it will, because that’s what produces a fair settlement.

I keep the caseload small so it rarely happens. When a trial is coming, I’ll tell you the dates in advance and who to reach while I’m in court.