How Clients Can Help Their Business Litigation Lawyer
“What do I need to do to help you with my case?”
That’s one of the best questions a client can ask their lawyer.
In business litigation, there are at least three points in time when that question matters most:
Before the first meeting
Before the lawsuit is filed or answered
Before the mediation
By the time your case reaches trial, the time for building and shaping the case has passed. The focus then is on presenting what already exists — not on creating or refining it. That’s why the earlier stages are so critical.
Why Organization Matters
Business litigation often involves years of transactions, hundreds of emails, and multiple contracts or versions of the same agreement. The clearer and more organized your information is, the more efficiently your lawyer can understand what happened and identify the strongest parts of your case.
That efficiency directly translates into cost savings. It also allows your lawyer to focus time and energy on the strategy that will move the case forward, rather than sifting through unclear or incomplete records.
The Power of a Timeline
If you don’t already have a timeline of events, creating one is one of the most valuable steps you can take. The timeline becomes the skeleton that the entire case hangs from. It helps connect documents, emails, and conversations to specific dates and decisions — making it easier to see how all the facts fit together.
Even a rough timeline can make a world of difference. It gives your lawyer context, shows how the dispute developed, and helps identify which documents or witnesses will matter most.
Setting the Stage for the Series
In this three-part series, we’ll walk through how you can best help your business litigation lawyer at three key moments in your case:
Part 1: Before the First Meeting – How to prepare your documents and information to make the most of your initial consultation.
Part 2: Before the Lawsuit Is Filed or Answered – What to focus on as your case takes shape, and how to avoid early missteps that can drive up costs.
Part 3: Before the Mediation – How to organize your materials and mindset to put your case in the best position for a successful resolution.
Each stage requires something slightly different from you as a client, but the goal is always the same: to help your lawyer represent you as effectively and efficiently as possible.
Ready to Take the First Step?
If you’re facing a business dispute, now is the time to get organized and develop your timeline. A clear foundation helps your lawyer move faster, strategize smarter, and protect your interests more effectively.
Call our office today to schedule a consultation and start building the framework for your case the right way.