Civil Litigation

To succeed in litigation, you need to move quickly, develop good facts, and be able to anticipate what your opponent is likely to do.
Eric A. Rice

The Law Office of Eric A. Rice offers full-service representation for business civil litigation. Eric Rice has experience has experience handling matters in all phases of litigation, including claim planning, settlement negotiation, discovery, trial, and appeal.

Here are some common questions about litigation:

I received a summons and complaint. What should I do next? How do I prepare an answer?

If you receive a summons and complaint, it is important to quickly talk to an attorney. Typically, you have a short time period to return a response to the complaint, known as answer. In addition, you may have defenses available that can be waived if you do not properly respond, such as improper service or venue. Finally, if you do not respond, the plaintiff can file for a default judgment, which will allow a judgment to be entered for the plaintiff without any opportunity to put forth a defense or have the claimed amount reduced.

I have a claim against a party. How can I get money that is owed or other relief?

There are many options when trying to resolve a dispute. Some may include a demand letter, mediation, or serving a complaint. Eric Rice can advise you about the best solution to get your relief without excessive legal costs. Often, the threat of litigation can lead to a settlement that will allow for a resolution to the matter without long delays and additional expenses.

Should I get an attorney for my matter?

Civil litigation has complex procedures that must be strictly adhered to. Failure to abide by the procedures could result in dismissal of a claim, default judgment, or monetary penalties. In addition, an attorney can ensure that your position is properly protected, giving you the best chance at winning the litigation.

Eric Rice handles a large number of civil litigation matters and can assist with the following issues:

Serving a Summons and Complaint or Answer
Breach of Contract Claims
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Discovery and Depositions
Trial
Appeals

Civil litigation can often be a stressful experience, with complex procedure and risky outcomes. Eric Rice can help guide you through the process and ensure that you receive the best result possible. Call Eric today at (651) 998-9660 to schedule a free consultation to learn about your options for civil litigation representation.

[Eric] never failed to return my calls. Together we developed a strong defense. When in court, Eric was nothing but a professional's professional. I was absolutely impressed and amazed on how much respect he demanded from the Judge and the prosecution. He quickly and surprisingly had my case dismissed. I even got a veiled apology from the prosecution. The guy's a winner and will be one for a very long time.K.M.

I am happy to recommend Eric Rice as a highly competent, very responsive and thorough attorney. He possesses compassion and is easy to communicate with. My case was resolved to my complete satisfaction.L.D.

Eric made sure that I fully understood what took place and why. He also told me that even though his job was done, that should I have questions in the future to feel free to call him. I just can't say enough good things about him. I thank God that we found him and will never be able to truely explained how blessed I felt to have him represent my son. If you are considering hireing Eric, I would highly recommend him. I hope that I will never need his services again but I will hire him again should I need him.Tammie

I take pride in HIGHLY recommending to you a very exceptional & deserving Attorney, Eric A. Rice. Eric is extremely professional and he has a wonderful blend of analytical and inter personal skills. Eric demonstrated extraordinary diligence and perseverance throughout the court case; his meticulous approach resulted into a dismissal of our case. On behalf of all involved in this case, we are very grateful that Eric was referred to us and HIGHLY recommend him. Eric, you rock!A.M.