When Conflict Arises
Civil Litigation and Dispute Lawyers in Columbus, Ohio
A dispute costs money every month it stays open. We map the facts and deadlines in the first week, tell you plainly what the case is worth pursuing, and push for a resolution that makes sense for you.
The Short Answer
What you should know first
Most civil disputes in Ohio end without a trial, through a demand letter, negotiation or mediation. The cases that settle on good terms are usually the ones prepared as if a judge will read them. We build that file from the start, keep you informed about cost at every step, and go to court when going to court is the better choice.
The Process
The stages of a civil case
Every case is different, but most follow this path. We tell you where you are and what the next stage costs before it begins.
- 01Week 1 to 2Case mapDocuments, timeline, deadlines, a realistic range of outcomes and a budget.
- 02Weeks to monthsDemand and talksA demand letter, a response and early negotiation.
- 03If neededFilingA complaint in the right court, then the other side’s answer.
- 04MonthsDiscovery and mediationDocuments, depositions and usually a mediation session.
- 05When readyTrial or settlementA written settlement, or trial preparation and the trial itself.
Ohio Law
Where your case is heard, and how long you have
Which Ohio court hears a case depends largely on the amount at stake. Filing deadlines depend on the kind of claim.
$6,000
and under: small claims division
municipal and county courts
$15,000
and under: municipal court civil docket
larger claims go to Common Pleas
6 years
to sue on a written contract
ORC 2305.06
2 years
for most bodily injury claims
ORC 2305.10; some claims are shorter
Some deadlines are much shorter than these, and contracts can change where a case must be filed. Bring every document with a date on it to the first meeting so we can check the clock that applies to you.
Civil Litigation & Disputes
Disputes and Negotiation
The first weeks of a dispute decide a lot. We collect the contract, the emails and the payment history, build a timeline, and identify the deadlines that apply. With that in hand, a clear demand letter often moves a stalled conversation, because it shows the other side you know the facts and the law and are prepared to act.
If talks do not settle it, mediation is usually the next step. A neutral mediator meets with both sides, often in separate rooms, and works toward an agreement neither side has to accept. Many Franklin County cases are sent to mediation by the court anyway. We prepare you for it, including the number you will accept and the reasons behind it, so the day is productive rather than tiring.
Not every dispute should be fought. Some are worth less than the cost of pursuing them, and some are better solved with a business conversation than a legal one. Part of a good case map is an honest answer to that question. When a dispute is worth pursuing, we say so plainly and explain the likely range of outcomes; when it is not, we help you close it quickly and protect yourself from the same problem next time.
- Case map: facts, documents, deadlines and exposure
- Demand letters and responses
- Partner, shareholder and vendor disputes
- Mediation preparation and attendance
- Written settlement agreements that close the matter
What Can Go Wrong
Common mistakes in a dispute
Waiting too long
Deadlines pass and evidence disappears while hoping it resolves itself.
Arguing in writing
Angry emails become exhibits. Keep messages short and factual.
Ignoring a lawsuit
Missing the answer deadline can lead to a default judgment.
Fighting on principle alone
A case can cost more than it is worth. Decide with the numbers in front of you.
Civil Litigation & Disputes
Trial and Appeals Support
When a case does not settle, it moves through discovery, where each side exchanges documents and takes depositions, then motions, then trial. We prepare witnesses well ahead of time, organize exhibits as the case goes, and keep the theory of the case simple enough that a judge or jury can follow it.
Some cases turn on a legal question rather than a factual one. Our senior counsel reviews strategy on complex files and watches for issues that need to be preserved in case an appeal is needed later. If you already have a judgment and are deciding whether to appeal, we give you a written read on the record, the odds and the cost before you decide.
Throughout a case you get short written updates after each hearing, filing or deposition, and a budget for the next stage before it begins. Clients tell us the updates matter as much as the strategy, because litigation is stressful when you do not know what is happening. You will always know what was filed, what the other side said, what comes next and roughly what it will cost.
- Complaints, answers and counterclaims
- Discovery and deposition preparation
- Motions practice
- Bench and jury trials
- Appeal evaluations and appellate briefs
Your Attorneys
The Attorneys Who Handle This Work
Your lead attorney reads every document and stays your direct line. A second attorney reviews strategy on anything complex.
Kevin TranTrial Attorney / Contract and commercial disputesKevin handles contract and commercial disputes, building each file from day one as if a jury will eventually read it.
Victor SalasSenior Counsel / Appeals and strategy reviewVictor brings decades of civil and appellate work, advising on complex matters and reviewing strategy across the firm.Fees
How litigation is paid for
Litigation is usually billed hourly because the time depends on how hard the other side fights. We give you a budget by stage, report time monthly, and tell you before a stage starts if the estimate is changing. Some matters, such as collecting a clear unpaid invoice, can be handled on a flat fee or a contingent fee.
A good case map often saves the most money of anything we do, because it tells you early whether a dispute is worth the cost of pursuing it.
| Fee type | Usually used for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | Most contested disputes | Budget by stage, monthly itemized bills |
| Flat fee | Demand letters, simple collections | A set price for a defined step |
| Contingent | Selected recovery cases | A share of what is recovered, set in writing |
Fee structures are described in general terms. Your written fee outline comes before any work begins.
Next Steps
If a dispute just started, this week
- 1Preserve everything
Save emails, texts and files. Do not delete anything, even if it looks unhelpful.
- 2Stop the back and forth
Send one short, calm message if needed, then wait for advice.
- 3Note your dates
Write down when the problem began and every date on any notice you received.
Prepare
Documents that make the first meeting count
The more of these you bring, the more specific our advice can be.
- The contract or agreement in dispute
- Invoices, payment records and bank statements
- Emails and texts with the other side, in order
- Any letter, notice or lawsuit you received
- Names of witnesses and what they saw
- A one-page timeline in your own words
Civil Litigation & Disputes
Questions Clients Ask
Plain answers to the questions we hear most about civil litigation & disputes in Ohio. General information, not advice for your situation.
Not seeing your question?
Most civil cases settle or are resolved before trial. We prepare every file as if it will be tried, which tends to make settlement talks more productive.
Mediation is a meeting with a neutral person who helps both sides negotiate. You never have to accept an offer you do not agree with.
Yes, for claims up to the small claims limit. We can help you prepare even if you file on your own.
Note the date you were served and call promptly. In Ohio a defendant usually has 28 days after service to answer a complaint.
Usually each side pays its own fees in Ohio unless a contract or a statute says otherwise. Check your contract for a fee clause.
Related Practice Areas
Matters often overlap
Civil Litigation & Disputes
Talk Through Your Civil Litigation and Disputes Question
Thirty minutes, no charge and no pressure. You leave with written next steps and a plain fee outline before any work begins.
Weekdays 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Messages answered within one business day.