Filter by

star star star star star
15 May, 2023 by Victoria
Sharp and to the point, Dave has helped so many of my friends and volunteers for our nonprofit. And his former life as a fighter pilot, his training and discipline, combined with his compassion and caring for people, makes him the best attorney I can recommend.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
24 Jul, 2020 by H
Having worked for 8 family offices and decades of wielding legal teams, I have a high bar for what constitutes a good lawyer. Having graduated at the top of his Yale Law class, Dave Fraser stands out as a brilliant legal mind. Seeing him in action, his ability to come up with legal strategies and think through a problem is extraordinary. He is not just theory, but has shown himself in execution. Dave also has a great moral ethic (something hard to find in this arena.) and likes for work with like-minded people. There is so much more to the guy than can be said here in a public forum. I'm grateful we were able to convince him to work with us.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
09 Apr, 2020 by Daniel
I have owned my own business for over 25 years. I was first referred to Mr. Fraser when I had a major litigation threatened against me by one of Orange County's biggest companies. Someone who wanted to shut my company down. Due to my history as a business owner, I have (and still do) known many lawyers, with many different specialties. I told my attorneys, and my friends, that in this particular case I needed a real "bulldog." That is how I was originally referred to Dave. He did not disappoint. In the ensuing 20 years, I have been fortunate to have Dave help me and my companies with all sorts of things. Litigation. Land use. Employee affairs. Corporate governance. He also has represented many people I care about when it comes to their personal injuries. The bottom line is this: If you have any legal needs, David Fraser should be the first call that you make. If what you need is outside of his expertise, he will tell you so. But if it is something he tells you he can handle, be hopeful that he will take your case. You can do no better.
Read more Avvo
See more
star star star star star
30 Jun, 2024 by Kitkat9989
Two years ago I posted an eariler review of 5 stars but I am now retracting that review. I thought that Lenore Albert was in my corner but I now realized that I was just a cash cow. She didn't care what happened to me or my case. As a result of her late andincomplete filings I lost everything. My home and property. I am disabled and she "forgot" to mention that to the court. That alone woukd have protected my home and property. I , would stay clear of Ms. Albert.
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
25 Jan, 2022 by Theresa
After four years of my family and I being subjected to uninhabitable conditions in our apartment, enduring severe tenant harassment, and numerous other constructive eviction actions, by our former landlord and his agents, we hired attorneys to represent us in a civil lawsuit. The attorneys we initially hired took our case on contingency fee and filed a complaint against the owner of the property in January of 2019. The complaint includes 12 causes of action such as breach of contract, breach of implied warranty of habitability, fraud, and constructive eviction, among others. Our former attorneys started out strong assuring us that they would fight all the way to trial. Sadly, after six months of pumping us up about the case, our attorneys tried to get a quick couple of settlements out of it and then withdrew after we said we did not agree to a very bad faith settlement offer from the insurance company. It appears that our former attorneys never intended to do much on our case. They never responded to Notices of Depositions, or Discovery Requests, and left to defend ourselves In Pro Per with very little knowledge on how to respond to the Discovery Requests. Ultimately, opposing counsel filed Motions to Compel Discovery, and my family and I were facing $22k in sanctions. The court gave us 30 days to comply with the Discovery Requests but we were still so lost until Lenore Albert came to the rescue. Lenore Albert quickly came to our rescue after being left to figure out how to go forward unrepresented. Lenore is a highly-skilled, knowledgeable, and competent attorney, who has the expertise and experience to assist in a David vs. Goliath case like ours. Lenore thoroughly reviewed the issues in our case, reviewed all the documents, then immediately lept into action for my family and me. It was such a crucial moment in our case when legal expertise was desperately needed. After being abandoned by our former counsel, I had nearly given up hope. Once I contacted Lenore, she not only reassured me that everything would be okay, but actually explained what we needed to do to avoid being sanctioned $22k for not providing proper discovery responses. Our former counsel never bothered to explain anything. Lenore went through every part of the discovery with us and helped us to understand the proper way to answer the interrogatories. Lenore gave us simple examples that made the process less daunting and helped us to stop stressing and to systematically prepare our documents. Lenore assisted us in making sure the discovery responses were code compliant, with proper verifications, and then served them on opposing counsel. Lenore helped us prepare a declaration of compliance to file with the court to notify the court that we had complied with the order in a timely manner. Lenore advised us on every issue we would be facing with discovery and discussed several strategies on how to move forward in our case. We have received far more value working with Lenore on a Limited Scope basis than we received with attorneys who took the case on a contingency fee. I cannot think of a legal service that is more valuable than Limited Scope representation when Plaintiffs find themselves in a situation like ours. We reached out to at least 40 attorneys/law firms after our attorneys abandoned our case. Nobody wanted to take it because of liens that would be filed by our former counsel and because they knew it would be more complicated after being represented previously and left to figure it out on our own. Lenore offered her services at a reasonable price, has been fantastic in leading us forward with confidence, and real strategies that could bring us a much better outcome than what our former lawyers tried to force us into. In fact, because of Lenore’s help on our discovery, the court didn’t sanction us today! I am a Paralegal, I know many attorneys but I can only recommend Lenore!
Read more Avvo
star star star star star
14 May, 2021 by Norman
She has worked with me for nine years, fought a wrongful eviction. She is the most competent, honest , caring, smartest lawyer I’ve ever worked with. And she’s cute.
Read more Avvo
See more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What a Litigation Lawyer Can Do for You

A litigation lawyer specializes in representing individuals, businesses, or organizations involved in legal disputes. Whether you're the one filing a lawsuit or you're being sued, a litigation attorney will advocate on your behalf throughout the entire legal process. Their goal is to resolve disputes, either through negotiation, settlement, or trial. Litigation lawyers can help with a wide range of disputes, including contract disagreements, real estate issues, employment disputes, personal injury claims, and more.

Litigation lawyers provide strategic legal advice and manage all aspects of your case, from filing motions to representing you in court, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome.

When Should I Hire a Litigation Lawyer?

You should consider hiring a litigation lawyer if you're involved in a legal dispute that you cannot resolve on your own. Common situations include:

  • Breach of contract disputes: If a party to a contract fails to fulfill their obligations, a litigation lawyer can help you seek damages or enforce the agreement.
  • Business disputes: Litigation lawyers can represent you in cases of partnership disagreements, intellectual property disputes, or business fraud.
  • Employment disputes: If you're facing issues like wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or wage disputes, a litigation lawyer can help resolve these matters through negotiation or court action.
  • Personal injury claims: If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence and are seeking compensation, a litigation attorney can help you pursue your case.
  • Real estate or property disputes: When there are conflicts over property ownership, boundary issues, or lease agreements, a litigation lawyer can assist in resolving the dispute.

Hiring a lawyer early in the process is beneficial, especially if a lawsuit seems imminent or you have already been served with legal documents.

What Does a Litigation Lawyer Do?

A litigation lawyer handles all aspects of your case, from the initial investigation to the trial and even the appeals process, if necessary. Their role includes:

  • Case assessment and investigation: Analyzing the facts of your case and advising whether it’s worth pursuing or defending.
  • Pleadings and motions: Drafting and filing documents to initiate or respond to a lawsuit, including complaints, motions to dismiss, and answers.
  • Discovery: Gathering evidence, including depositions, interrogatories, and document requests, to build your case.
  • Negotiations and settlement discussions: Attempting to resolve disputes through mediation, arbitration, or settlement talks before going to trial.
  • Trial representation: Presenting your case in court, examining witnesses, introducing evidence, and making legal arguments before a judge or jury.
  • Appeals: If necessary, filing appeals to challenge or defend the outcome of the trial.

Litigation lawyers are also skilled negotiators and often work to resolve disputes outside of court to save time, money, and stress for their clients.

How Are Litigation Lawyers Paid?

Litigation lawyers typically use a variety of fee structures depending on the type of case, the complexity of the legal matter, and the financial circumstances of the client. Common payment arrangements include:

  • Hourly rates: Many litigation attorneys charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and geographic location.
  • Flat fees: For specific, predictable legal tasks (such as filing a motion), lawyers may offer a flat fee.
  • Contingency fees: In personal injury or other cases where you seek damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency basis, taking a percentage of the settlement or award if you win.
  • Retainer: Some clients pay a retainer fee upfront to secure ongoing legal services. The lawyer then bills against this retainer as work is done.

The exact structure should be discussed in the initial consultation to ensure you understand how and when you'll be charged.

How Much Does a Litigation Lawyer Cost?

The cost of a litigation lawyer varies significantly depending on the nature of the dispute and the lawyer’s experience. Factors affecting the cost include:

  • The complexity of the case: More complex litigation involving extensive discovery, expert witnesses, or multi-party suits typically costs more.
  • Time spent: Litigation cases can be time-consuming, especially if they go to trial. The longer the case, the higher the legal fees.
  • Type of fee arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $200 to over $1,000 per hour, depending on the lawyer’s reputation and location. Contingency fees generally range from 25% to 40% of the settlement or award.
  • Stage of litigation: Cases that settle early in the process are often less expensive than those that proceed to trial or appeal.

It’s crucial to ask about cost estimates during your initial consultation to avoid surprises.

Top Questions to Ask a Litigation Lawyer

Before hiring a litigation lawyer, it's essential to ask key questions to ensure you're choosing the right representation:

  1. What is your experience with cases like mine?
    Ensure that the lawyer has experience handling your specific type of dispute, whether it's a contract issue, personal injury, or business matter.
  2. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    Ask for an honest assessment of your case's strengths, weaknesses, and the likelihood of success.
  3. What is your fee structure?
    Clarify how you'll be charged, whether by the hour, a flat fee, or on a contingency basis.
  4. How long do you expect my case to take?
    While it's hard to predict, an experienced lawyer can give you a rough estimate based on similar cases.
  5. How often do you settle cases versus going to trial?
    Some lawyers are more inclined to settle, while others may be more experienced in the courtroom. It’s important to understand their strategy.
  6. What is your approach to resolving disputes?
    Some lawyers prefer aggressive litigation, while others focus on settlement or mediation. Choose one whose approach aligns with your goals.

How to Check the Credibility of a Litigation Lawyer

To verify a litigation lawyer’s credibility, consider the following steps:

  • Check bar association records: Ensure the lawyer is in good standing with the state bar and has no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and track record.
  • Look for litigation experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they have handled cases like yours and have a record of success.
  • Request references: Ask the lawyer to provide references from past clients who can speak to their effectiveness and approach.
  • Research their trial experience: If your case is likely to go to trial, ensure the lawyer has a history of courtroom success.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make your first consultation with a litigation lawyer productive, you should prepare the following:

  • A clear outline of the dispute: Provide a timeline and key details about the legal issue you're facing.
  • Any relevant documents: Bring contracts, emails, letters, or any other documentation that pertains to the case.
  • A list of key players: Provide the names of individuals or companies involved in the dispute.
  • Questions about fees and the litigation process: Make sure you understand how the lawyer plans to approach your case and how you will be charged.
  • Your goals and expectations: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, whether it's a settlement, compensation, or another resolution.

By coming prepared, you can ensure that your initial meeting with the lawyer is both efficient and insightful, giving you a better sense of how to proceed with your case.

Scroll to top