How To Prepare Yourself For A Business Lawsuit

If you expect to sue a business, or if you think your business could be sued, it is never too early to be prepared. It is ideal to do as much of the necessary work on your own so that you can save money on a litigator, since they charge by the hour. The following are some things you can do ahead of time to prepare:

Maintain a Calendar

One thing that will work in your favor, whether you are suing or being sued, is having a detailed calendar. A calendar will help prove where you have been, what you have been doing, activities you are involved in and the like. If you are in breach of contract, for instance, your calendar will demonstrate the work you did, how much work you did, and where you were when it was completed. Keeping a good record of meetings is also helpful to place you if there is any discrepancy about that. You can keep a calendar on a paper planner or on a computer, but be as detailed as possible.

Keep Accurate Notes

When you speak to anyone involved in the case, it is important that you take note of those conversations so that you have a record. You will be able to pinpoint certain conversations with precise details. If you are asked about a meeting you had with someone five years ago, for example, you can go to your notes and provide very clear details, including the date and time, about that conversation. Judges take your initiative into consideration when judging your overall character.

When you are making your notes, you should write down the topic that was discussed, who was there, any risks or issues that were mentioned in the conversation, and if there was a resolution or not. You can keep a very simple notebook for this or keep an online journal. One handy tip is to email yourself the notes. This will provide you with a time stamp on each entry so that there is concrete evidence of the conversation.

Write Down a Synopsis for Your Lawyer

Before you go into your first meeting with the business litigation services you have hired, take the time to write up a chronological synopsis for them to review. This will provide a list of everyone that is involved, what their positions are within the lawsuit, names of witnesses, and explanations of documents and meetings that have taken place. This will help you quickly bring your lawyer up to speed on your case.


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