Settlement Strategies

Settlement Strategies

As opposed to what you may have seen on television, being an effective lawyer does not mean putting on a "dog and pony show" for the client's benefit. TV lawyers threaten, intimidate, use rude language and jump up on the table and get red in the face about almost everything. This makes for good entertainment, but real lawyers are nothing like that.

In real life, table jumpers are not taken seriously by the Court. Cordiality to the opposing lawyer and civility to the Court are helpful and expected. If both sides behave with cordiality, settlement is much more likely to occur. Just because lawyers are cordial does not mean that they are "in cahoots" against their clients; it does mean that they abide by the rules on the playing field.

Settlement of issues and cases is usually the preferred method because it helps the parties resolve their own issues, rather than have a Court decide the client's future for them by issuing decisions which can have lasting impact on a person's life. Settlement of issues or cases will also usually reduce costs and expenses.

A case is more likely to settle when discovery is done freely, voluntarily and openly. Full disclosure is the hallmark of a negotiated settlement, because it is usually not in anybody's best interests to either settle a case without having all of the information from the other side or to conceal information from the other side and run the risk of having settlement overturned by a court because of the concealment.

Settlement is easier if important information is turned over to the other side before they even ask for it because this promotes the atmosphere of cooperation and settlement. Stonewalling on either side will result in discovery motions and tactics which can only increase costs and create mistrust, which is certainly not conducive to settlement.

Settling the case does not mean caving in to the demands of the other side. It does mean working cooperatively to achieve a lasting negotiated agreement. It is much easier to abide by your own agreement rather than obeying a court order.

Call today to schedule an appointment with Melissa Graham-Hurd.
Ohio Family Law Attorney

Melissa Graham-Hurd
333 South Main St.
Suite 301
Akron, Ohio 44308
330-996-4099

The use of the Internet for communications with the firm will not establish an attorney-client relationship and messages containing confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Melissa Graham-Hurd provides legal services for clients in Akron, Barberton, Bath, Canal Fulton, Canton, Copley, Cuyahoga Falls, Fairlawn, Green, Hudson, Jackson Twp., Lakemore, Macedonia, Massillon, North Canton, Norton, Peninsula, Springfield Twp., Stow, Twinsburg, Wadsworth, Wooster, Stark County, Summit County, Wayne County, and Medina County