The Definition and Duties of a Litigator

The Definition and Duties of a LitigatorThe Definition and Duties of a LitigatorA lot of legal terms are tossed about as though they mean the same thing, even among lawyers. Two commonly interchanged terms are litigator and trial lawyer. A litigator may be a trial lawyer, and a trial lawyer may be a litigator. An attorney doesnt necessarily have to be both, but manyare.? Litigators vs. Trial Lawyers The Cambridge English Dictionary defines a litigator as someone who specializes in taking legal action against people and organizations. A litigator addresses the big picture - the entire case from start to finish, not just the window of time that requires stepping into a courtroom to address judge, jury, and witnesses. A trial lawyer excels in the courtroom. In some larger firms, his role may be largely reserved for court appearances while someone else, typically a first-year associate or paralegal, handles the less exciting duties of case preparation. An editorial published by the A merican Bar Association calls trial lawyers common folks advocates and characterizes them as street-smart and intuitive, but often lack the discipline and patience to deal with the mora mundane details of every lawsuit. Trial lawyers often specialize in criminal cases and personal injury law. They may oversee a team of counsel who appears in court in complicated and high profile lawsuits. Attorneys who go into private practice and work as sole practitioners, theyre the only lawyer on staff, are by necessity both litigators and trial attorneys. The Full Scope of a Litigators Duties Managing a case from start to finish covers a lot of ground. It begins with a full investigation in most cases, a gathering of every minute detail that may ultimately affect the outcome. A litigant is the client a lawyer represents, and a litigator has an ethical and legal obligation to advocate for him to the best of his ability. The investigation aspect of a case often involves enlisting the help of other professionals, such as accountants or private investigators, and it may involve identifying and interviewing witnesses who possess important knowledge or information. A litigator initiates a case when the facts are known, incorporating them and his clients requests for relief - how he would like the judge or jury to rule - in pleadings that are then filed with the court. He may come into the case after a complaint has been filed to represent the defendant, the individual or entity being sued, or when the state has filed charges or is about to file charges in a criminal matter. An investigation continues in the form of discovery after a legal matter is initiated, an exchange of pertinent information between the parties to the case. A litigator then typically handles pretrial conferences and hearings, and possible settlement negotiations. Ultimately, if settlement fails, he appears in the courtroom for trial. If the case goes badly and he has grounds, he will file and handle an appeal. How to Determine Which Choice Is Better A choice between becoming a litigator or working as a trial attorney is often a matter of temperament. Someone who thrives on high stakes and the associated drama of trial may prefer to focus on becoming a trial lawyer, but it would necessitate the larger support staff commonly found in mega-firms and establishing a proven track record in court.