In Maryland, as in many other states, a civil lawyer can be referred to as a civil law attorney or a litigator. These types of attorneys are hired by clients to file civil lawsuits on their behalf or to defend them against civil lawsuits that are filed against them.
A civil lawyer can practice in one or many subcategories of civil law, such as:
- Landlord and tenant law
- Immigration law
- Family law
- Business and finance law
- Personal injury law
- Employment law
- Real estate law
To understand what civil litigation lawyers do, it may help to have an understanding of the differences between criminal laws and civil laws. Criminal laws are a body of laws that are intended to punish individuals found guilty of criminal offenses, called defendants.
Civil laws, in contrast, govern behavior or conduct that causes an injury of some type, either to other parties or other individuals. These types of civil issues are resolved by filing a lawsuit in a civil court.
Typically, civil laws will address disputes that arise between individuals or organizations. If one party to the lawsuit is found liable, they will typically be required to comply with an injunction or to pay monetary damages.
If an individual, business, or organization has any questions, concerns, or issues related to civil law in Maryland, it is important to consult with a local Maryland lawyer.
When to Hire a Civil Litigation Attorney?
There are many different reasons why an individual or an organization may need or want to sue another party or why they may be facing a civil lawsuit. There are some types of civil disputes that can be resolved through mediation or arbitration or settled in small claims court.
If a civil case is not settled before trial, the case will be heard and decided by a civil court. The case may result in serious legal consequences, such as the payment of civil fines or other substantial monetary fines. In that case, it is very important to have the assistance of a civil attorney.
These types of cases can include product liability lawsuits because these cases typically involve complicated legal issues and can result in a large damages award. Civil lawyers who have experience with product liability cases can defend an organization or business when sued for issues, for example, defective products or improper warning labels.
Cases involving child custody issues are also examples of cases that involve serious legal consequences. A civil attorney can help protect the rights of a child’s parents over that child as well as ensure that the parent is not prevented completely from seeing their child or children.
Another complex type of case is a case that involves child or domestic abuse. A civil lawyer can help a non-abusive parent get full custody rights of their child.
In any type of civil case, a lawyer can help draft and review a final agreement. They will also represent their client in court if a dispute arises during negotiations.
What to Expect from Your Civil Law Attorney?
When a client hires a civil attorney, they can expect that their civil attorney will handle all major aspects and issues in their case. This applies whether they are the plaintiff or the defendant.
Their attorney will handle every step of the case, including pretrial, discovery, and the resolution of the dispute. If the parties to a lawsuit are not able to settle their dispute outside of the courtroom, the lawyer will handle every aspect of the trial, which includes:
- Filing motions;
- Arguing on behalf of a client in court;
- Submitting evidence;
- Questioning witnesses who are providing in-court testimony; and
- Conducting in jury selection.
Other things that clients can expect from their civil lawyer may include:
- Joining an additional party to an existing lawsuit;
- Filing another separate lawsuit;
- Recovering various civil remedies;
- Drafting settlement agreements;
- Filing appeals after the trial.
A civil attorney must follow legal, professional, and ethical standards, which includes exercising professional judgment on behalf of clients, which means they are prohibited from:
- Disclosing a client’s information or secrets for the lawyer’s personal gain;
- Revealing specific details when the client did not provide consent;
- Disclosing case information to an outside party.
A civil attorney will inform their client of the available settlement options, settlement offers, and resolutions. Lawyers can also provide an honest analysis of the chances the client has of winning the lawsuit.
A civil attorney should give their client information about the fee structure they will use and bill the client according to that billing structure. A client should know that they are the one who has ultimate control over their issue, which includes who to sue, when to sue, and when to settle.
However, it is essential for a client to defer to their civil attorney’s judgment regarding case-related legal decisions. They should also follow their lawyer’s legal advice about the overall strategy of the lawsuit.
How Much Does a Civil Attorney Cost?
The cost of civil suit lawyers can be very different based on factors such as:
- The facts and circumstances of the specific case;
- The average attorneys’ fees for the area;
- How much time or work the case is expected to take to resolve;
- The experience and reputation of the attorney in the case.
In addition to these factors, there can also be other issues that affect the cost of a lawyer. For example, if they practice solo or in a law firm.
If the attorney practices in a firm, there may be other professionals, such as paralegals, who handle certain things for the case. Another major factor in the cost of a lawyer is the fee structure that they use to charge clients.
If an attorney uses a contingency fee structure, they will not be paid unless they win the case. The client may still have to pay certain administrative costs.
In contrast, if the lawyer uses an hourly rate to bill clients, the lawyer will be paid throughout the case, whether they win or lose. These hourly rates can range anywhere from $100 to $1,000 an hour, and in a larger city, they may be even higher.
The cost of a lawyer can also vary by location, as certain states place caps on the amount of damages that can be awarded or what fee amounts lawyers can charge.
Do You Need a Civil Attorney?
You or your business might have concerns, questions, or issues related to civil law in the State of Maryland. If so, it is essential to consult with a civil litigation attorney in Maryland. This applies whether you are a plaintiff or a defendant in the case.
Your lawyer in Maryland will know the laws in your state as well as the specific civil laws that apply to your case. Your civil attorney will help you with every aspect of the legal process, represent you during negotiations and court appearances, and make sure your rights are protected.
Having your civil attorney handle your legal issue will help ensure you have the best chance at the outcome you desire for your issue. If you are facing possible severe legal consequences, having a lawyer handle your claim will take a large amount of stress out of the process.
