Filing a Lawsuit in Reno, Nevada

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Litigation Lawyers in Reno

If you are in Reno, Nevada and believe that some type of legal wrong has been committed against you, and decide that seeking legal redress will be worth the time and expense involved, you may wish to file a lawsuit.

If you think that filing a lawsuit is a good option in seeking redress, you should not rush into this decision. A lawsuit is a time-consuming and expensive process. You should not make a final decision without speaking to a Reno, Nevada attorney.

The Reno, Nevada attorney you end up hiring will be able to advise you on whether you have a good case. If you do, they will also advise you on your best options on how to proceed. Your lawyer can also inform you about what their fees are, and if they have multiple payment options.

Steps for Filing a Lawsuit in Reno, Nevada

Consultation with your attorney: You should always speak with a Reno, Nevada lawyer who specializes in civil litigation before filing any type of lawsuit in a court in Reno, Nevada. Your lawyer will have important information and advise, helping you decide whether or not your chances of success in the lawsuit make it worth your while to proceed.

Drafting The Complaint: Once you decide that pursuing a lawsuit in Reno, Nevada civil court is worth your time and effort, you need to file a complaint. The complaint can set the tone, and frame the issues, for the rest of the litigation process, which can drag on for months, or even years (and decades, in some cases). This is because the complaint lays out all the allegations against the defendant. It also usually asks the court for specific relief, should it rule in the plaintiff's favor.

Serving The Defendant: Once you and your attorney have written a good complaint, and filed it with the court, it needs to be served on the defendant within a certain period of time. This is required under the law of Reno, Nevada to ensure that the defendant actually knows that he's being sued, and has time to find a lawyer and prepare a defense. Generally, the defendant should be served in person. However, when this isn't possible, service by mail is also acceptable in a few instances.

Await Defendant's Response: In Reno, Nevada, the law gives civil defendants a fairly long period of time (a month or two usually) to respond to a lawsuit against them. The most common response is either an answer (where they address the factual allegations against them, usually denying most or all of the allegations) or a motion to dismiss (where the contend that, even if everything alleged in the complaint is true, those facts would not establish liability). If the defendant does nothing, and fails to respond, they run the risk of having a default judgment entered against them. This usually means that the court automatically rules against them, treating the plaintiff as if they won the lawsuit. This gives the plaintiff a judgment against the defendant, which they can seek to collect using all legal means.

How Can A Reno, Nevada Tort Lawyer Help?

Filing a lawsuit in a Reno, Nevada court is a bit more complicated than the basic outline laid out above.

You should seek the advice of a qualified litigation attorney if you are planning on filing a lawsuit against somebody who you think has wronged you in Reno, Nevada.

Talk to a Law Attorney now!

Life in Reno

Reno says it's "the biggest little city in the world." Situated in a high desert valley at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, Reno is the seat of Washoe County and home to 220,500 "Reno-ites." It's the fourth most populous city in the State of Nevada behind Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas. Like it's compatriots, Reno is best known as a gambling and entertainment destination. Many residents of the Sacramento Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix vacation in Reno. Most tourists visit during the annual festivals like the Hot August Nights classic car festival, the world renown Nugget Rib Cook-off, Reno Air Races and the Great Reno Balloon Race. There are a number of themed resorts like Circus Circus but nearly every hotel and resort has great shows. Reno is home and birthplace of Harrah's Entertainment.

The area of Reno and nearby Sparks is known as "Truckee Meadows." The city covers 69.3 square miles which also includes the Reno Events Center that hosts many concerts. There is a large population of students in Reno because University of Nevada, Reno is there. UNR is the oldest university in the State of Nevada and has a medical program that attracts national attention. Truckee Meadows Community College enrolls about 13,000 students. Nevada School of Law at Old College in Reno was the first law school in Nevada. There are a lot of courts in Reno so you shouldn't be surprised there are a lot of lawyers too. Reno lawyers can practice law throughout Nevada and know how to handle your legal issues.

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