Civil litigation in Bethesda, Maryland also includes all types of appeals of Maryland civil and commercial lawsuits. Maryland civil litigation matters begin in the Maryland District Court and Maryland Circuit Court (such as the Montgomery County Circuit Court). Specifically, our Bethesda litigation attorneys have handled many civil lawsuits, mediation, and arbitration in Montgomery County District Court and Montgomery County Circuit Court. Federal civil litigation in Maryland, whether in Bethesda or any of the Maryland city, begin in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Bethesda and other Maryland litigants in these federal district courts can appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Although the details of every Maryland civil litigation matter differ dramatically depending on the circumstances, in Maryland, the legal process of most Bethesda litigation matters is standard. After a client comes to our Bethesda office for a litigation consultation, our Bethesda civil litigation lawyers begin the investigation and legal analysis of their legal matter. If our Maryland litigation client is the plaintiff, our civil litigation attorneys will investigate the matter to see if there is enough evidence to bring a Maryland lawsuit in the Maryland District Court and Maryland Circuit Court. If the Maryland civil litigation client is potentially the defendant, our Bethesda litigation lawyers will work tirelessly to identify and devise any possible litigation defense strategies that may be available. Our Bethesda attorneys will even attempt to determine whether our client can file a counterclaim (a lawsuit against the party suing them) in the Maryland District Court for Montgomery or Maryland Circuit Court for Montgomery County (the Maryland State Courts which cover Bethesda and the surrounding areas).

After our Bethesda trial attorneys’ initial investigation, our Maryland civil litigation lawyers will draft and file initial pleadings in the Circuit Court or District Court. In Maryland, pleadings are the documents needed to initiate a civil case and include the Summons, Complaint, and Answer.

After the pleading stage, the Maryland civil litigation discovery process (including depositions, document requests, and interrogatories) begins. In Bethesda, Maryland, discovery is the process by which attorneys on either side of the lawsuit/litigation exchange information about the matter. Deciding which documents to request and provide to an opponent is one of the most important skills a Bethesda, Maryland civil litigation attorney can possess. The civil litigation discovery phase includes document review, depositions and medical and physical exams among other things. Longman & Van Grack’s Bethesda civil litigation attorneys are experienced in managing this intense litigation process which is generally dealt with in the Circuit Court or District Court. Maryland litigation discovery includes review and investigation of the matter, including document — all of which will be operated from our Bethesda Litigation Office (on Motor City Drive).

In Bethesda, Maryland, next is the phase of a civil and commercial litigation matter is pretrial. In this pretrial phase, motion practice is critical. Motion practice is the method by which civil litigation attorneys argue their points before trial. Longman and Van Grack’s seasoned civil and commercial litigation lawyers will use motion practice for various reasons including seeking a directed verdict and summary judgment and opposing the other sides motions. This is also where our Bethesda litigation lawyers work to develop a trial strategy as well as prepare witnesses to testify and physical evidence for trial.

When faced with a lawsuit in Bethesda, many people contemplate a very long trial. At Longman & Van Grack, we attempt to focus on settlement and avoiding trial if at all possible. Longman & Van Grack’s Bethesda civil and commercial litigation attorneys work tirelessly to settle our Bethesda litigation cases prior to trial. It is our view that the best solution for our Bethesda litigation clients is to spend as little time as possible in the courtroom.

During a Bethesda, Maryland Circuit Court or District Court civil litigation trial, the litigation parties will present their cases to the court, which could be a judge or a judge and jury. If a Maryland civil litigation case does proceed to trial, such as in Montgomery County Circuit Court, Longman & Van Grack’s skilled Bethesda trial attorneys can offer top-notch trial representation.

As there is a winner and a loser in every Maryland trial, there is always an unfavorable outcome for one of the litigation parties. That party may choose to appeal the Maryland lawsuit. In the case of a Maryland appeal, it is essential to secure the representation of a capable appeals attorney to handle the appeals process. The Bethesda attorneys at Longman & Van Grack are also well-versed in the Maryland appeals process. To learn about the Maryland and Federal appeals process, visit out Appellate Practice Page.

Most Maryland civil litigation lawsuits stemming from Bethesda matters settle before going to trial, and our Bethesda trial attorneys focus on that outcome whenever possible. Whether we are able to reach a private settlement or attend an alternate dispute resolution such as mediation, our Bethesda attorneys make sure you are represented by a seasoned Maryland civil litigation attorney that can negotiate for appropriate compensation as well as protect your rights. The Bethesda litigation lawyers at Longman & Van Grack have significant experience in negotiating settlements for our clients.

At Longman & Van Grack, our Bethesda civil litigation attorneys address many different types of litigation, including appeals. Our Bethesda trial lawyers regularly represent clients in contract disputes, commercial litigation, business disputes, real estate and property disputes in Bethesda  (including tree damage disputes, trespass, and adverse possession), estate litigation, construction litigation, and appeals.