Litigation

If you have been sued, procuring immediate legal representation is crucial. Litigation attorneys can provide legal guidance tailored to your situation, clarify your options, and help you meet critical deadlines. Be prepared to share all relevant documents, including court papers, contracts, and correspondence with the party bringing the lawsuit forward.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) offers methods to resolve conflicts without expensive, time-consuming litigation. Colorado's alternatives to litigation include:

• Mediation: A neutral third party helps conflicting parties reach a voluntary, confidential resolution. It's used in various legal areas.

• Arbitration: Parties present cases to a neutral arbitrator for a binding decision. It's generally cheaper than litigation.

Mediation results in enforceable agreements. Arbitration decisions are typically binding. Both are informal, out-of-court alternatives to litigation.

Colorado's General Assembly encourages ADR use. The Office of Administrative Courts runs an active ADR program including mediation.

Colorado's civil litigation process involves these six stages:

• It begins with a consultation where an attorney evaluates the case.

• Next, pleadings are filed: the plaintiff's complaint and the defendant's answer.

• Discovery follows, with parties exchanging potential evidence.

• Pre-trial motions may resolve some issues without trial.

• If needed, the case proceeds to trial, where both sides present their arguments. A judge or jury then decides the outcome.

• Dissatisfied parties can appeal on legal or procedural grounds, but not simply due to an unfavorable verdict.

Colorado depositions typically take 3 - 4 hours but can go longer. The court may adjust this limit as needed. Parties to the lawsuit usually face 2 - 3 hour depositions. Witness depositions can be as brief as 30 minutes.