How a Civil Lawsuit Works

1) Complaint filed: The plaintiff starts the case and states the claims.

2) Service and response: The defendant is served and files an answer or motion.

3) Discovery: Both sides exchange information (documents, written questions, depositions).

4) Motions and settlement talks: The court may decide issues before trial; parties often negotiate.

5) Trial and judgment: If the case doesn’t resolve, it proceeds to trial and a decision.

Paralegal Services provided by Paula’s Law Help

• Pleadings and motion drafting support (attorney review and signature required)
• Discovery: requests, responses, and document organization
• Case and deadline management (calendaring support, task tracking)
• Trial prep support (exhibit and witness lists, binders, summaries)
• Client and third-party communication support, as directed by counsel

Services provided for each Phase of a Civil Lawsuit

INVESTIGATION:

• Run criminal background checks
• Conduct electronic fact investigations
• Social Media investigations

PLEADINGS:

• Prepare complaints, answers, counterclaims, and subpoena’s
• Prepare cover sheets for electronic filing in the appropriate courts
• Calculate due dates for all pleadings and calendar

DISCOVERY:

• Electronic document organization
• Communications with witnesses, clients and opposing counsel to gather fact information
• Review, analyze and organize documents for discovery production. This includes chronologically organizes medical records, correspondence, bates numbering and timeline events
• Draft and prepare discovery responses for Requests for Production, Request for Admissions, Requests for Disclosures, and Answers and objections to interrogatories
• Calendar due dates for all discovery responses
• Deposition preparation. This includes scheduling the deposition and compiling exhibits for the deponent.

PRE-TRIAL:

• Draft/File Pre-Trial pleadings including Motion for Summary Judgments, Exhibit Lists, Witness Lists, etc.
• Prepare Pre-Trial notebooks
• Confirm Pre-Trial conferences with the court and notify opposing counsel
• Legal research

TRIAL:

• Obtain trial setting
• Communication with opposing counsel and client regarding hearing dates
• Obtain and review the Scheduling Order and calendar all deadlines
• Prepare Trial Notebooks
• Preparation of trial exhibits in electronic format
• Coordinate trial witnesses and issue subpoena’s for each witness
• Assist with trial technology (PowerPoints, photos, maps, exhibits, timelines, etc.)

POST-TRIAL:

• Calendar judgment deadline
• Determine and calendar appeal deadlines
• Request trial transcripts
• Assist with appeal process