Titans Law: Timeline & Expectations When Working With Your Attorney

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Timeline and What to Expect When Working with Your Attorney

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Communication With Your Attorney

Hiring a law firm means you are engaging us for our professional skill, experience, and legal strategy. It does not mean a specific outcome can be promised. We have a duty to notify you about important progress in your case, but regular check ins every week or month are usually unnecessary unless a real development takes place.

Following the initial intake consultation, which normally takes around 15 minutes, we may ask you for any additional records or clarification needed so we can begin. After that, our attention shifts to advancing your matter. Our time is best spent moving the case forward rather than repeatedly reviewing routine activity.

You are always free to schedule a meeting. Please note the following:

Meetings are billed at standard firm rates even if there are no new updates.
If your matter is in a research, drafting, or procedural stage, there may not be meaningful information to report yet.
We ask clients to trust the process. Titans Law will reach out whenever we need your input or when something important happens.

1. Information Collection and Case Research (Weeks 1 to 4)

Document Review: Our team, including paralegals, reviews the materials you have already provided such as contracts, communications, medical records, and related paperwork. We may contact you if further documents or clarification are needed.
Timeline: Around 2 to 4 weeks depending on the volume of records.
Legal Research and Strategy Planning: We examine the relevant laws, regulations, and prior court decisions and develop the most effective strategy for your matter.
Timeline: About 1 to 3 weeks and often performed alongside the document review.
Outcome: By the end of this phase, you will have a clear understanding of the direction of your case and the key milestones ahead.

2. Preparing and Filing Initial Documents (Weeks 4 to 8)

Drafting Pleadings or Agreements
Litigation: We prepare the complaint if you are the plaintiff, or an answer and any counterclaims if you are the defendant.
Transactional: We draft the required agreements such as a purchase agreement, partnership agreement, lease, or other necessary contract.

Timeline: Approximately 2 to 4 weeks depending on complexity and your feedback.

Review and Revisions: You will review the drafts and request changes as needed. Most matters require one or two rounds of revisions before approval.

Filing or Execution

Litigation: After approval, we file the completed complaint with the court and arrange service on the opposing party, typically within 30 days after filing.
Transactional: We send the finalized agreement to all parties for signatures and coordinate notarization or escrow when required.
Timeline: Filing or signing usually takes place within about one week after final approval.

3. Response From the Other Party and Early Case Management (Weeks 8 to 14)

Opposing Party Response (Litigation): The opposing side usually has 20 to 30 days to submit an answer or a motion. If no response is filed, we may request a default judgment, which typically takes an additional 2 to 4 weeks.
Initial Case Management Conference: Courts often schedule an early conference about 60 to 90 days after filing. During this meeting, the court sets deadlines for discovery, motions, and the trial schedule.
Early Settlement Discussions: The parties may begin settlement negotiations or mediation at this stage, commonly around the third or fourth month of a litigation case.
Transactional Matters: During this period we complete due diligence, prepare supporting closing documents such as affidavits, and get ready for the agreed closing date.

4. Discovery Phase (Months 4 to 8, Litigation Only)

Written Discovery: Both sides exchange and answer interrogatories, requests for documents, and requests for admission. Each party generally has 30 days to respond.
Timeline: Written discovery usually takes about 2 to 3 months to complete.
Depositions and Witness Interviews: We take sworn testimony from the parties and important witnesses. Scheduling depends on availability and often requires 1 to 2 months.
Expert Disclosures: When experts are involved, we exchange expert reports and conduct expert depositions.
Timeline: Expert reports are typically shared around month 6, with depositions occurring within the following 1 to 2 months.

End of Discovery: By approximately month 8, both sides should have a clear understanding of the evidence and expert opinions in the case.

5. Pretrial Motions and Settlement Efforts (Months 7 to 11, Litigation Only)

Dispositive Motions: We may submit motions for summary judgment or other requests that could resolve the case without trial. The briefing process usually takes about 6 to 8 weeks, and the court often needs an additional 1 to 2 months to issue a decision.
Increased Settlement Negotiations: Once the evidence is fully developed, the parties often exchange updated settlement offers. Mediation or private settlement conferences frequently take place during this stage.
Final Pretrial Conference: The court sets deadlines for exhibit lists, witness lists, and pretrial motions, and also confirms the trial date.

Timeline: This phase generally occurs between months 7 and 11, although timing can vary depending on the court and the complexity of the case.

6. Trial Preparation and Trial (Months 9 to 16, Litigation Only)

Trial Preparation: We organize exhibits, prepare opening statements, and get witnesses ready through practice examinations.
Timeline: Usually 1 to 3 months before the scheduled trial.
Jury Selection and Trial: Jury selection may take a full day or longer. The trial itself can vary in length. A bench trial may last 1 to 2 days, while a complex jury trial can continue for several weeks.
Post Trial Proceedings: After closing arguments, the judge or jury delivers a verdict either immediately or within a few weeks. The parties may also file post trial motions, such as requests for attorney’s fees or changes to the judgment, which are typically resolved within 1 to 3 months.

7. Appeal (If Applicable)

• Notice of Appeal: A notice must be filed within 30 days after the final judgment, or within the time allowed by the applicable court rules.

• Appellate Briefing:

The appellant files an opening brief about 30 to 60 days after the notice is filed.
The appellee submits a response brief about 30 to 45 days after the opening brief.
The appellant may then file a reply brief within 15 to 30 days after the response.

Timeline: The briefing stage usually takes about 4 to 6 months.

Oral Argument and Decision: Oral argument is typically scheduled a few months after briefing is complete, and the appellate court often issues its decision within 3 to 6 months after the argument.

Result: An appeal can extend the overall case timeline by approximately 9 to 18 months or longer.

8. Steps After the Matter Is Resolved

• Transactional Matters: Closing, transfer of funds, and final filings with the appropriate state agencies generally occur on the scheduled closing date. Any remaining post closing filings, such as business or state registrations, are typically completed within 1 to 2 weeks.

• Litigation Matters:

If you win, we assist with enforcing and collecting the judgment, which may include garnishments or liens over the following months.
If the case settles, we make sure all parties follow the settlement terms, including payment schedules and required release filings according to the agreement.

Estimated Timelines by Matter Type

Simple Contract Review or Basic Transaction

About 2 to 4 weeks from initial information gathering to a completed and signed document.

Real Estate Closing

Roughly 4 to 8 weeks, including title review, financing requirements, and due diligence.

Uncontested Family Law Matter

Approximately 3 to 6 months, depending on required waiting periods and court scheduling.

Commercial Litigation

Usually 12 to 18 months from filing through trial, and longer if an appeal is filed.=

Personal Injury

Generally 12 to 24 months to allow for investigation, medical evaluation, and settlement discussions.

Key Takeaways

Every Case Is Different

Court schedules, the actions of the other party, and unexpected developments can speed up or delay any stage of the process.

Clear Communication Matters

You can expect periodic updates, typically about once a month, so you remain informed about the next steps.

Flexibility

If new information comes to light, we will notify you promptly and adjust our approach or timing when necessary.

Costs and Billing

Discuss billing practices early, including time increments, retainers, and projected expenses, so there are no surprises.

Urgent Deadlines

If you become aware of any court dates or legal deadlines, inform Titans Law immediately so we can prioritize your matter and adjust our schedule.