AVOID LEGAL SHIPWRECKS

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What to Look for in a Lawyer

Business litigation gets complex in a hurry. Whenever you are sued or find yourself in a situation where you need to sue someone else, it’s easy to panic. That’s why it’s so important to have reliable legal counsel by your side. One mistake even the most intelligent people make is assuming that all lawyers are the same. This just isn’t accurate. The reality is the employment attorney who you choose to hire could make or break your case. It’s a bit scary, isn’t it? Frankly, selecting the person who represents you in your case can be a nightmare. But it doesn’t have to be. Keep reading as we explain five qualities of a successful lawyer.

  1. Experience - This one’s a no-brainer. There’s a good chance your reputation and your business are on the line at the moment. Why leave such a delicate situation in the hands of an inexperienced lawyer? Robert L. Shipley has more than three decades of experience in business litigation and consulting. Whether your case involves class action settlements, labor laws, ADA compliance, collection litigation, or something different, you can feel comfortable in Mr. Shipley’s background.
  2. Understanding - Believe it or not, some attorneys take a “one-size-fits-all” approach with their clients. That’s not the case at our San Diego law firm, though. We understand that every client’s situation is unique and requires our undivided attention. When you first meet with Mr. Shipley, he will sit back and listen. Doing so allows him to understand what specifically concerns and motivates you.
  3. Ability to communicate - It’s never a good thing when you can’t understand your lawyer because he or she uses legal jargon constantly. On top of that, an attorney needs to treat you like a human being and not just another number. At the law office of Mr. Shipley, we make it a point to communicate every step of the way to ensure that what we do reflects your goals. What do we mean exactly? Well, every phone call is returned and every email is answered. You don’t have to worry about never hearing from us after the consultation like you might with other law firms.
  4. Authenticity - Some lawyers make a habit of schmoozing clients and almost putting on a different persona, so to speak. That’s not how we do business at our firm. Here’s the thing: Our work with clients isn’t just about a case, a project, or even the end result. Everything we do is about building a relationship with clients so that as challenges come and go, we’re always ready to help in any way possible. Rest assured that we will never hide anything or “put on a show” just because it might be the easy way out.
  5. Levelheadedness - You might be riled up over untrue accusations. That’s completely justifiable. After all, you’ve worked hard to get where you currently are. But the last thing you want is to hire a lawyer who just can’t be that voice of reason during a time of chaos. The most successful lawyers are the ones who are prudent, judicious and provide a sense of calmness for clients. Rest assured that Mr. Shipley can help you navigate the current legal storm that’s threatening your business.

How Our Employment Attorney Approaches Litigation

Now that you know more about our counsel practice, let’s get into the nuts and bolts of litigation. Remember that litigation is usually the last resort for clients. There’s no question that it can be costly and draining in all aspects. That said, litigation is sometimes the only option. Here is how we generally approach litigation:

  • Case evaluation - Our team will first consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of your position. From there, expect us to discuss the expense of pursuing or defending a claim.
  • Settlement attempts - Every now and then, it’s possible to contact the other side and resolve a matter prior to litigation taking place. You can count on us to make those attempts before proceeding further with your case.
  • Mediation - Maybe you’re vaguely familiar with how mediation works. If not, think of this as a refresher. Lawyers define mediation as a process where both parties try to settle their disputes using a “go-between” who is either an attorney or retired judge. Whoever is the mediator should be specially trained and experienced in resolving a variety of disputes.
  • Arbitration/litigation - If the aforementioned doesn’t resolve the matter, the parties find themselves headed to trial. Our law office has plenty of experience in litigating cases through trial and appeal. Mr. Shipley is always prepared to aggressively represent your interests in court or binding arbitration.

Contact Your Local Team

Don’t make the mistake of hiring someone who isn’t qualified to tackle your case. Instead, get in touch with Mr. Shipley and avoid legal shipwreck. Get started by seeing which law practice areas we specialize in. Then give us a call so we can work with you in scheduling a consultation.