Disagreement Archives

Litigation I – Options

A client recently retained me to take over a lawsuit that had already been filed. After reviewing the documents and meeting with the client, it became apparent that the client didn’t realize that he would have to testify at trial in order to have his photographs and other exhibits admitted into evidence. The client was adamant about not wanting to testify and be cross-examined.

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Litigation II – Digging For All the Facts

Disagreement, Trial / Joan K. Fine

I recently defended a client in an equine litigation matter. The complaint provided veterinarians’ names and some radiographs; however, there were substantial gaps in the pattern of the information provided.

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Dispute Mediation

Disagreement / Joan K. Fine

Mediation is a useful tool in a lawyer’s arsenal to settle disputes. I recently took part in mediation involving three parties and their attorneys (of which I was one) using a mediator (a retired Virginia judge) to facilitate the process.

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Contract Mistakes: “It Looks Legitimate”

Contracts, Disagreement, Oral Contracts, Written Contracts / Joan K. Fine

Yes, you should always have your attorney review a contract to purchase a business or real estate or a lease before you sign the document. Most legal problems that come to me are the result of a poorly drafted or one-sided document. Legitimacy is only one concern; just because “an attorney” drafted a document does not mean that it serves your interests, unless the drafting attorney was your attorney. Your attorney will look out for your interests.

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Probate Litigation

Disagreement, Estate Planning / Joan K. Fine

Is someone you know involved in a family dispute after a parent has died? Over a Will? Family land? A family business? In legal terms, these are probate disputes. The usual trigger for a probate dispute is an unmet expectation of one or more of the beneficiaries.

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