CIVIL LITIGATION

Initial Information. Before we can discuss your case, I need to have the following information to determine if I have a conflict of interest:

Follow-up Questionnaire. Upon receipt of the above information, my staff will determine if we have a conflict. If we do not, we will send you a follow-up questionnaire for you to complete based on the general nature of the case as you described it. If we do have a conflict, we will tell you.

Adobe Reader Software. Our forms are in pdf format which requires "Adobe Reader" software to read. Adobe Reader is available free and may be downloaded at www.adobe.com. Go to that web site, to the bottom of the first page and double click on the icon named "Get Adobe Reader". Once you have downloaded Adobe Reader, you will be able to read and complete all of our forms.  

Retainer and Attorney/Client Agreement. After I review the completed questionnaire, I will determine the appropriate amount of a retainer fee and send you an Attorney/Client Agreement for you to review and sign. We do not have an attorney/client relationship until the retainer fee is paid and the Attorney/Client Agreement is signed by both of us.

Civil Litigation. Civil litigation is the resolution of a dispute between two persons, corporations or governmental entities in District Court. District Court may either be on the state or federal level. I am licensed to appear in Oklahoma State District Court and in the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma.

Discovery. After a petition is filed, the plaintiff normally serves written discovery requests upon the defendant. Written discovery requests are usually composed of Requests for Interrogatories [written questions which must be answered under oath], Requests for Admissions, and Requests for the Production of Documents that are relevant to the case or may lead to documents which are relevant to the case. The defendant has 30 days to answer the written discovery requests. Thereafter, it is common to take the deposition [sworn testimony in the presence of a court reporter with both parties and both attorneys present] of the defendant. Most cases are set for pretrial conference and a settlement conference. Ninety-five percent of all civil cases are settled at or shortly after the settlement conference. Therefore, what most civil litigation cases are composed of is the discovery level. The ability to do thorough discovery and the willingness to go to trial are the secrets to a good settlement.

My Professional Experience. In my 30 years of practice, I have represented clients in over 100 civil law suits. In order to keep my "in court" trial abilities proficient, I have an active family law practice. In contrast to civil suits, family law suits frequently go to trial. I have done over 1,000 contested family law cases. I feel very comfortable in court. I enjoy the art of advocacy. Whether a case is settled or goes to trial, is strictly up to each client.

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