Ms. Streater has vast experience as a civil litigator and will ensure that every facet of your case is handled in a thorough, professional
manner. Below is an overview of the process of civil litigation and the ways in which Ms. Streater will ensure your representation is
unmatched.
Pre-Litigation Investigation
With careful and meticulous work during the first phase of any case, there is a great likelihood that you may never have to see the inside of a courtroom.
Ms. Streater has a well-deserved reputation for her tenacity and thoroughness in working to resolve cases or have them dismissed altogether before the
commencement of a trial.
This often results in clients saving a significant amount of money or not being billed at all to have their legal matter squashed.
Pleadings
This stage of a case entails the filing of a complaint (which is considered the official engagement of the plaintiff with the defendant with regard
to whatever injustice is alleged), the service of a summons (which is the formal notification by the court to the defendant), motions to dismiss
(which are the defendant's responses to the plaintiff's charges and typically seek to have the case dismissed), and motions for judgment
(which are either a settlement between the parties or a request to proceed to trial).
Discovery
This phase of a case involves the sharing of evidence and other information between attorneys for the plaintiff and the defendant.
Discovery is a critical component of a trial, as it allows each side to adequately prepare for what is to be presented to the judge and
jury in open court.
Witnesses may be deposed during the discovery phase, and on some occasions, the discovery phase leads to a settlement.
Depositions
Another vital stage of any case involves the taking of depositions.
This is the process by which the attorneys on both sides (plaintiff and defendant)
are entitled to ask questions
of any witness or other person with relevant information
as it pertains to the legal matter at hand.
While depositions are highly serious and recorded, they typically
are not typically conducted in the presence of a judge.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Through Mediation
The process of avoiding trial altogether and reaching a settlement with the opposing party in a legal matter is a highly favorable outcome.
Not only does the process save a considerable amount of time, effort, and energy for both sides, but it also is much more cost-effective.
Of course, the key component in any alternative dispute resolution is that both the plaintiff and the defendant must be willing to
participate in such an endeavor.
