Civil Litigation Attorney in Los Angeles, CA
- Los Angeles Litigation Law Firm
- Experience Small Firm Attention, Large Firm Results
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Los Angeles Civil Litigation Lawyer
Litigation is the process of resolving disputes or legal issues through the judicial system. It involves bringing a lawsuit in a court of law, where the parties (plaintiffs and defendants) present their cases to a judge or jury for a resolution.
Civil litigation is all that our team practices – it’s in our name.
Case Results
$3.4M Recovered
Business Litigation
Assisted in recovery ofthe balance of the purchase price for the sale of a business
$2.7M Verdict
Business Litigation
Assisted in obtaining jury verdict for breach of contract and conversion of business ownership, jury verdict only $25k less than requested
$342k Judgement
Business Litigation
For fraudulent inducement of loans, breach of contract, and defamation in false online posts and reviews
Disclaimer: Illustrative examples of case types and outcomes. Attorneys cannot guarantee outcomes. Results are case-specific and depend on the true facts of the case. More information here.
Key Components of Civil Litigation
- Parties Involved:
- Plaintiff: The party initiating the lawsuit, claiming to have suffered harm or injury.
- Defendant: The party being accused or sued, who must respond to the plaintiff’s claims.
- Filing a Lawsuit: The litigation process begins when the plaintiff files a lawsuit, in the form of a “complaint”, in the proper court, outlining the facts of the case, legal bases for the claims, and the relief sought.
- Service of Process: The defendant is formally notified of the lawsuit through a legal document, typically called a summons, along with the complaint.
- Response to Complaint: The defendants then have to timely respond to the complaint. A response can be one of many, including a demurrer, which challenges the legal sufficiency of the complaint, or an answer, that includes the defendant’s denial or admission of allegations and affirmative defenses.
- Discovery: A pre-trial phase where both parties gather evidence, which can include written discovery and depositions. Subpoenas may also be used to obtain evidence in the possession of third parties. This phase is critical for building a case and understanding the opposing party’s position.
- Motions: Before and during the trial, the parties may file motions to resolve specific issues. Some motions are related to discovery disputes, such as a motion to compel discovery when a party refuses or fails to respond to discovery requests, or someone fails to comply with a subpoena. Other motions may be for “housekeeping” matters, such as to publish the summons by publication if the defendant cannot be served by traditional means, consolidate the case with another related case, or bifurcate the trial into stages. And others may be dispositive, or resolve the lawsuit altogether, such as a motion to dismiss, or motion for summary judgment or adjudication.
- Trial: If the dispute isn’t resolved through settlement or motions, it proceeds to trial. Both parties present their arguments, evidence, and witnesses. In a jury trial, the jury decides the outcome; in a bench trial, the judge makes the determination.
- Judgment: After the trial, the court issues a judgment, which may include monetary damages, injunctions, or other forms of relief.
- Appeals: If one party believes there was an error in the trial process or judgment, they may appeal the decision to a higher court.
Importance of Litigation
- Enforcement of Rights: Litigation provides a formal mechanism for individuals and entities to enforce their legal rights and seek justice.
- Resolution of Disputes: It offers a structured process for resolving conflicts that cannot be settled through negotiation or alternative dispute resolution methods, like mediation or arbitration.
Consult with an Attorney
Litigation can be complex, time-consuming, and costly, so parties often seek legal counsel to navigate the process effectively. Other times, litigation may not be worthwhile. Understanding the fundamentals of litigation is crucial for anyone involved in legal disputes or seeking to protect their rights.
For a confidential consultation with an experienced attorney, contact Litigation, P.C. to learn about your legal options. We routinely handle matters throughout SoCal.
Los Angeles Civil Litigation Lawyer Reviews
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“I had the pleasure of working with Attorney Hee and his team on an employment matter, and I couldn’t be more satisfied with the experience. From the very beginning, Hee demonstrated a deep understanding of employment law and provided clear, strategic guidance tailored to my situation.
Throughout the process, Hee and his team were not only professional and knowledgeable but also approachable and genuinely invested in my case. Their responsiveness and attention to detail gave me confidence and peace of mind during what could have been a stressful time.
I highly recommend Attorney Hee to anyone in need of legal assistance. If my friends or family ever require legal support, I wouldn’t hesitate to refer them to Hee and his team. Their expertise, dedication, and client-focused approach truly set them apart.”
T. A. (Employment)
“I was extremely ill and needed an attorney for a civil matter in CA. My local attorney referred me to Hee Kim and his firm, Litigation, P.C. Law Firm. Hee and his team quickly followed up with a scheduled zoom call. During the call he carefully documented the situation and helped establish the objectives and best course of action.
Fortunately, he was correct on his initial assessment and followed through with speed and precision that resulted saving me 6-figures or more. I will be recommending Hee to my friends and business associates for any legal entanglements in CA. Use your power of choice wisely and check with them before deciding on a direction.”
S. H. (Fraud, Torts)
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“Working with Hee Kim and Litigation, PC has been an exceptional experience. He consistently keeps me informed on every aspect of my case, providing clear details on costs, pros, and benefits of each option. His dedication to my interests is evident at every step, and he ensures I am fully involved in the process.
Attending court hearings with him is reassuring as he remembers every detail and effectively refutes the other side’s claims. His preparation for depositions is impeccable, always calling out any inconsistencies. His strategic advice on when to take specific actions or make motions has been spot on.
His litigation approach is unmatched, and he is highly aggressive in fighting for his clients. He prioritizes his clients, making each one feel like his only case. I highly recommend Hee and his firm to anyone seeking strong legal representation! “
S. A. (Business, Fraud)
“Litigation, P.C. Law Firm represented me and they did a great job. Hee Kim did an awesome job making me feel cared for and he really listened to me. There were some mishaps on my end but they gave me all the tools I needed to find and present all my information needed for my case.
I had a great outcome and I was never judged by the firm which made me feel very comfortable. Mr. Kim was very friendly and made me feel right at home and taken care of.
I never had to the office and meet them and did everything online through Zoom and messaging when it was convenient for me.
I really recommend working with Hee Kim because he fought hard for me and after the case was closed I feel the best decisions were done and I believe having a piece of mind is the best thing for any client wanting to reach a just decision in their case.”
A. G. (Employment)
“This was the best email I sent when I was distressed and in need of legal services. The team at Litigation, P.C. Law Firm is the most professional, caring, honest, and tenacious group of people I have ever met in the world of law. Their expertise and advice was exactly what I needed when determining how I wanted to move forward with my case. They were able to settle my case in a timely manner for a fair amount.
The process isn’t straight forward for everyone, and they were able to clearly communicate every step of the way, which left me feeling very supported, confident, and put me at ease. Once my case was settled, the payment was very swift. I would absolutely use their services again should I ever be in need. Thank you to the entire team.”
M. L. (Employment)
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“We have retained Hee and Litigation, P.C. Law Firm for all of our business legal needs for over four years, and we cannot recommend them highly enough.
Hee is not only knowledgeable and experienced but also incredibly thorough and detail-oriented. He meticulously reviewed all aspects of our business legal challenges, identifying potential issues and opportunities that we had not considered.
His strategic approach and ability to think several steps ahead gave us a tremendous sense of confidence and security throughout the entire process, especially the trial.
During the trial, he was fully prepared every single day, explaining his thought process to us about why he was asking or not asking certain questions to all the witnesses, raising timely objections with majority of them being sustained by the Judge…At the end of the day he wanted to make sure that we put all of our ammo on the table and we were able to successfully do that.
Hee also communicates very clearly and has been patient in explaining legal jargon and complex concepts in a way that was easy to understand, ensuring that we were well-informed and comfortable with every decision we made.
If you are looking for a lawyer who will provide exceptional legal counsel and support, we highly recommend Hee and Litigation, P.C. Law Firm.”
S. A. (Business, Fraud)
Los Angeles Civil Litigation Law FAQs
Civil litigation covers a wide range of legal disputes that don’t fall under criminal law, and navigating the process can feel intimidating without the right support. Whether you’re involved in a contract dispute, personal injury claim, or another type of civil matter, knowing your rights is the first step toward resolution. Below, we’ve addressed some of the most common questions about civil litigation in Los Angeles. If you don’t see your specific concern, the team at Litigation, P.C. is always available to talk — just give us a call or send a message.
What is litigation?
Litigation is the process of resolving a legal dispute through a formal legal proceeding. This commonly includes a lawsuit in a civil court. Arbitration is another example of a formal legal process.
What are the stages of litigation?
Litigation typically consists of three phases.
The process starts by filing a civil complaint to start a lawsuit or demanding arbitration.
The “middle” phase includes gathering all your evidence and witnesses, along with any necessary motion practice, such as compelling witnesses to turn over relevant evidence, or seeking to adjudicate the claims by summary judgment rather than trial.
The last phase is resolution, either by settlement, a judgment or verdict, or an arbitration award.
Why do I need a lawyer?
The laws and legal systems are complex. You may believe you were wronged, but the law only recognizes legally cognizable claims, meaning claims that are actionable and may be alleged against another party. There are also statutes and rules about when and how to gather evidence, and what even constitutes evidence. When it comes to trial or arbitration, an experienced attorney can help assess strategy for a favorable outcome.
Why should I choose Litigation, P.C.?
It’s in our name. Litigation is all we practice.
Many people seek the help of their trusted family lawyer, a personal referral, or a “friend of a friend who is a lawyer”. But when your legal disputes get to the point of litigation, your choice of lawyer may substantially impact the outcome of your case.
You wouldn’t choose a pediatrician to perform your open-heart surgery. The lawyer who drafted everyone’s will or trust in your family, or any other transactional attorneys, may have never seen a lawsuit or been in a courtroom. They spend their time negotiating and drafting legal documents. Just as much as our office would not be the best for helping someone plan for bankruptcy or a divorce, a bankruptcy or family law attorney probably isn’t the best choice for a civil lawsuit.
Yea, but a lawyer is still a lawyer, right?
Any competent attorney can figure out what can be done and how to do it. But an experienced litigation attorney can help guide you on whether something should be done.
In the first phase of litigation, actionable claims are identified and strategically chosen. Who do we need to sue, who can we sue, who should we not sue, what must or can we sue for, and where do we sue? Inexperienced attorneys will allege some type of tort in a standard breach of contract case, because intentional torts are necessary to seek punitive damages. Experienced litigators know how to eliminate these claims very quickly.
Second, all the necessary evidence and witnesses are gathered and motions are filed. Can we move for summary judgment? Can we refuse to set aside a default against a defendant who slept on their deadline to respond to the lawsuit, or can we demur an answer? Yes, you can, but should you? An experienced litigator will tell you getting a default set aside is one of the easiest motions to get granted, and a demurrer to an answer is almost never filed unless your goal is to anger the judge. If you are paying your attorney an hourly rate, you’ve just incurred legal fees and expenses. Even if your attorney is working on a contingency basis, the entire process has now been delayed for no gain in advantage, while burning any bridges or hope of amicability with opposing counsel.
In the third phase, the case is prepared and handled for settlement, and if necessary, trial. Did we conduct proper depositions? Any attorney can ask a witness questions, but an experienced attorney does not underestimate the importance of a deposition so we won’t be surprised at trial, witnesses are locked into their testimony, and we can maximize our settlement demand or damages sought at trial. And when it comes to settlement, an experienced attorney helps you understand which terms are common or not, or if there is no settlement, what the typical outcomes are for certain claims at trial.