If you’re facing some kind of construction-related dispute, it’s probably worth calling upon a seasoned litigator. A knowledgeable professional can help you navigate every stage of the proceedings to arrive at the best outcome possible given the circumstances.
Once you find the construction litigation attorney you want to hire, you can ensure your case gets off on the right foot by doing the following before your first meeting:
1. Compile Any Relevant Correspondence and Contracts
Phone calls, emails, text messages, and letters from the opposing party could prove integral to your case. Gather all correspondence you’ve traded since your working relationship began deteriorating for your legal team to scrutinize.
You should also dig out the contracts that contain the terms in question that are being challenged. Your construction litigation lawyer will want to review these documents carefully line by line.
2. Consider Everything That Led to the Dispute
As soon as you realize legal action is likely, write down everything you can remember that led to the dispute you’re now facing. If things have been tense since the beginning of your working relationship, start there. Otherwise, open your statement with the first suspected breach on the part of the opposing party.
Since this recollection is solely for your legal team, no detail is too small to include at this point. Even seemingly minor interactions are worth mentioning because they may help your attorney determine in which direction to take your case.
3. Write Down a List of Questions
You should be prepared to spend most of your consultation answering the lawyer’s questions and discussing what happened. At the end of the meeting, though, you’ll get the chance to ask any questions of your own. It’s imperative that you make the most of this time, so you can confirm you’ve found the right attorney to take your case.
Since you’ll inevitably be inundated with information, it’s wise to write down your questions in advance. This will ensure you don’t forget to address any of them.
The questions you have will depend on the facts of the case. Generally speaking, though, you’ll probably want to ask some version of each of the following:
- What kinds of strategies are you thinking about employing to resolve this dispute?
- Do you have access to any experts who can help support my case?
- What do you think is the most likely outcome to my case?
- Can we take steps to prevent similar disputes in the future?
- What is your fee structure?
- How often will you update me on the progress of my case?
Call (605) 432-8900 to Discuss Your Case with a South Dakota Construction Litigation Lawyer
At Ogborn Mihm Quaintance, PLLC, we know how frustrating—and potentially costly—construction disputes can be. If you’ve found yourself going up against a supplier, contractor, subcontractor, owner, or developer, we can help.
Our tireless team is well-versed in resolving disputes as quickly—and cost-effectively—as possible. To discuss your case with a construction litigation attorney in South Dakota, call (605) 432-8900 or complete our Contact Form. We practice out of Sioux Falls, Denver, and Los Angeles.