Visalia, CA Civil Litigation Lawyer

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Although the city is proud to be known as the “Gateway to the Sequoias,” Visalia is also a city of more than 140,000 people who live, work, and plan their daily lives. All of that action necessarily means some conflicts and legal actions. At Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin LLP, we offer comprehensive civil litigation services to help our clients achieve their goals.

Our civil litigation lawyers serving Visalia, CA have supported the people of the Central Valley since 1945. We remain as committed to our community as we were when we built our firm in Hanford with the goals of serving clients, establishing careers, and building community. Our legal team has a deep understanding of the law and a connection to the community. Our civil litigation lawyers are here to support you every step of the way.

Experienced Visalia Civil Litigation Lawyers

At Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin LLP, we believe that our community matters. While our population is not small, news sure travels fast. Concerns about litigation and lawsuits are not limited to the anxiety and stress about going to court and the conflict itself. Most people do not want to be the subject of conversation because they are having difficulty resolving a legal matter. However, the reality is that most people are used to hearing about lawsuits.

Lawsuits are adversarial in nature and necessarily arise from some sort of conflict, along with the accompanying tension and stress. We like to think of lawsuits as a way to resolve disputes within our community when disagreements arise between individuals, businesses, or even our government. 

California provides a legal framework that enables civil litigation matters to be resolved in several ways. While people generally think of going to court once they contact a civil litigation attorney, that is not always the case. We will work with you to understand your specific and unique situation and determine whether a resolution outside of court is possible. Our civil litigation lawyers serving Visalia, CA will be by your side in court if that is the best course of action for you to take.

How Does Civil Litigation in California Work?

Civil litigation under California Law sticks to a fairly predictable structure, but the specific facts and details about your unique case may result in some minor shifts here and there. With our civil litigation attorneys at your side, though, you will understand each step and prevent any significant surprises. A typical case works through several phases:

  • The Incident: Something happened to you or a person or business you care about. Maybe you have attempted to resolve it on your own, or maybe you find the idea of such an attempt overwhelming.
  • The Before: You would really like to settle the situation without going to court. We understand that and will discuss the options with you to determine the best steps for your unique situation. We can explore alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, such as informal negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, to resolve the issue. As necessary and appropriate, we can draft a “demand letter” to the other party, formally informing them of your concerns and ideas for settlement. 
  • The Complaint: Despite our best efforts to resolve the matter outside of court, sometimes a formal lawsuit is the only remaining option. If we find ourselves in that position, we will draft a formal complaint on your behalf and file it with the relevant court. This document will include all of the relevant facts and your desired outcome and will be what serves as the basis for the other party’s response and timeline for resolution.
  • The Response: After we serve the filed complaint document to the other party, now the defendant in the lawsuit, that party has the opportunity to file a formal response to the complaint. In that response, they will admit or deny what we outlined. We will continually review every filing with you to ensure you are up-to-date on the status of your case. 
  • The Discovery: Discovery is the opportunity for us to “discover” what information the other party may have that allows us to understand the facts of your case better. Of course, the defendant is entitled to request similar information, and we are required to provide any legally permissible information. This discovery phase, which may include recorded conversations known as depositions, helps prepare for settlement and trial.
    • The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Even after a lawsuit is filed and we have exchanged information through discovery, the legal process still provides opportunities to resolve your case without the time, expense, and stress of a full-blown trial. This stage often involves more structured forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). We will work with you and the opposing party to select the best method for your situation, which is often mediation or arbitration. In mediation, a neutral third party, the mediator, helps guide the conversation between the parties to find a mutually agreeable resolution. In arbitration, the neutral arbitrator acts more like a judge, hearing evidence from both sides and then making a decision that can be either binding or non-binding. Many courts now require parties to attempt some form of ADR before a case can proceed to trial, and it is often a very effective tool for reaching a final settlement.
  • The Pre-Trial Motions: You have likely seen a TV show or movie where an attorney moves to strike or moves for a ruling. That happens in real life, too. Even before the parties meet in court to present their testimony and evidence in the case, parties are permitted to file motions to ask the court to make a decision on parts or the whole of the case.
  • The Trial: On the date the court establishes for the trial, we will attend court if we have not yet reached a settlement or if the court has not made a decision based on the pre-trial motions. The trial may be a bench trial (in which only a judge decides the case) or a jury trial (in which a panel of people from the community provides a decision to the judge). In a jury trial, a judge can overrule the jury’s decision, but that is a rare occurrence. 
  • The Aftermath: After the judge or jury reaches a decision and notifies the parties of that decision, either party may file new motions specific to the ruling or file an appeal with the appropriate court.

Following the decision, the parties are left to ensure the judge’s order is carried out. If you win and the defendant does not follow the court-imposed requirements, there are enforcement mechanisms we can assist in implementing. This could include taking money directly from the defendant’s wages to comply with a financial requirement. 

Common Types of Civil Litigation

Our civil litigation attorneys have served Kings and Tulare Counties for 80 years. We are familiar with how the civil litigation system works and how to ensure it operates at its best. We are familiar with the courts and judges throughout the Central Valley, as well as the lawyers who practice before them, so we can help you understand what to expect throughout the process. We all live in the region and are very familiar with all types of civil litigation matters that individuals and businesses encounter in Visalia, CA. 

The team at Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin, LLP is a staple of our community, offering practical and tailored legal solutions based on in-depth knowledge of the law and our region. We have seen enough to understand the law that applies to your case accurately and recognize the importance of working with you, as your case has a unique factor that makes it slightly different from anything else we have seen.

Business Legal Matters

The civil litigation attorneys at Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin LLP have remained a trusted part of our community, in part, because of their dedication to each person behind the businesses established across the Central Valley.

We understand the many types of legal challenges a business may face throughout its lifecycle. Our knowledge in the area of business law allows us to provide you with comprehensive support that best protects your interests, including in matters of: 

  • Antitrust and Unfair Competition
  • Bankruptcy Litigation
  • Breach of Contract
  • Business Torts
  • Intellectual Property Litigation
  • Labor and Employment Issues
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Partnership and Shareholder Disputes

Business law can get complicated quickly, and we know how to help. We serve clients all over the San Joaquin Valley, Tulare County, and the Central Valley. 

California Environmental Law

California’s environmental laws are among the toughest in the nation, designed to protect the land, water, and public health. These regulations cover a wide range of issues, including air and water quality, hazardous waste disposal, and land use. Navigating these complex laws can be challenging for individuals and businesses.

An environmental lawyer can provide crucial assistance to help you understand and comply with rules, laws, and regulations. Should you have cause to go to court, we can represent your best interests in disputes with regulatory agencies, individuals, or companies. Our civil litigation attorneys serving Visalia, CA can help you with all legal matters pertaining to environmental violations, lawsuits, natural resource management, and public health. 

Alternatives to Civil Litigation 

In some cases, it may be in your best interests to avoid civil litigation and explore other means of settling disputes or achieving your goals. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) may be a better strategy for finding a solution faster and less costly:

  • Negotiation: Most disputes begin with negotiations. When issues are particularly emotional, having representation can help the conversation stay focused on the facts, allowing you to come to a mutual resolution. 
  • Mediation with a Third Party: This Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is beneficial because it utilizes a neutral third party, trained in negotiation and specific communication techniques, to help all parties reach a peaceful resolution. In many cases, working with a third party can lead to both creative solutions that all parties can be satisfied with. 
  • Arbitration: Under arbitration, instead of working with a neutral third party to find an acceptable compromise, the third party hears both sides and renders a legally binding decision. While similar to a court setting, arbitration is more private than a court and can be more cost-effective. 

Why Choose Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin LLP?

If you have a legal issue in Visalia, CA, our civil litigation attorneys are prepared to leverage their expertise and dedication to our community to secure justice for you. Your choice of legal representation matters, and selecting Griswold LaSalle Cobb Dowd & Gin LLP means choosing a legal team that is prepared to apply its decades of community experience to the specifics of your case. Our local ties matter to us, and we want to ensure your local ties stay strong, too. 

Collectively, our team has over 200 years of experience, and our focus on civil litigation ensures we stay informed about changes in every area of our focus. We consistently deliver on our commitment to provide cost-effective legal solutions to our clients, striving to offer high-quality services at the most reasonable billable rates possible. We do not have to learn about the courts, judges, and opposing counsel. You save money because we are a local, recognized leader in our field.

Whether you need assistance with a complex and emotionally charged matter or a seemingly routine business matter, choosing our team means selecting legal representation and a legal partner you can depend on for every civil litigation matter in your future. We are here for you, your family, your business, and our shared community through it all.

Experienced Civil Litigation Lawyers You Can Trust

Navigating a civil dispute in Visalia or San Joaquin Valley requires that you have the support of an experienced and dedicated legal representative. Working with a civil litigation attorney from Griswold, LaSalle, Cobb, Dowd & Gin LLP offers precisely that. Whether you are an individual or a business, we are standing by to apply our invaluable insight and perspective to help you manage your case. 

Together, we will navigate whatever challenges you face in a civil litigation process. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We will ask you some basic questions to begin evaluating your situation, and then we will explain how our comprehensive legal support can guide you toward a favorable resolution. We are ready to listen and help you move forward today.