Litigation Defense

Do not ignore the summons. In Texas, you generally have 20 days after service to file a formal answer with the court — missing this deadline can result in a default judgment against you. Contact a litigation defense attorney as soon as possible so your attorney can evaluate the claims, identify potential defenses, and file a timely response.

A motion to dismiss argues that the plaintiff's claims are legally defective on their face — even if everything alleged is true, the law does not provide a remedy. A motion for summary judgment, by contrast, argues that there is no genuine dispute of material fact and that the defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Summary judgment is typically filed after discovery, once the factual record is established.

The timeline varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case, the court's docket, and whether the parties pursue settlement. A straightforward commercial dispute might resolve in 12–18 months; complex multi-party litigation can take several years. Most cases settle before trial — often during or after discovery once both sides understand the strength of each other's positions.

Discovery is the pre-trial process in which both sides exchange information relevant to the dispute. In Texas civil litigation, discovery can include written interrogatories (questions you must answer under oath), requests for production of documents (contracts, emails, financial records, etc.), requests for admissions, and depositions. Your attorney can help you respond to discovery requests appropriately and assert valid objections.

Settlement avoids the uncertainty, expense, and time of trial — and the vast majority of civil cases resolve this way. Whether settlement makes sense depends on the strength of the claims against you, your litigation risk exposure, the cost of continued defense, and non-monetary factors like privacy and business relationships. An experienced defense attorney can help you evaluate the realistic range of outcomes and make an informed decision.

It depends on how your business is structured. If you operate as a sole proprietor or a general partnership, a judgment against the business can reach your personal assets. A properly formed and maintained LLC or corporation generally shields personal assets from business liabilities — but only if the entity formalities are observed. If you are personally named in a lawsuit, personal liability may apply regardless of entity structure.

We represent defendants in civil litigation throughout North Texas, including McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Allen, Prosper, and the greater Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Our attorneys are admitted in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Eastern Districts of Texas, and have argued before the Fifth District Court of Appeals in Dallas.