Getting Sued: How to Respond to a Lawsuit

Getting Sued: How to Respond to a LawsuitResponding to a Lawsuit If you've been served with a lawsuit naming you as a defendant, you may be feeling shocked, angered, or nervous. Tutorial Preview Whether you are representing yourself in court (pro se or pro per) or are an attorney representing a defendant you must evaluate and select the best strategic response to the plaintiff's complaint if you want to start your defense on solid ground. Litigation attorney Neer Lerner breaks down the

Responding to a Lawsuit

If you've been served with a lawsuit naming you as a defendant, you may be feeling shocked, angered, or nervous. 

Whether you are representing yourself in court (“pro se” or “pro per”) — or are an attorney representing a defendant —  you must evaluate and select the best strategic response to the plaintiff's complaint — if you want to start your defense on solid ground.

Litigation attorney Neer Lerner breaks down the process, defines key early litigation terms, and provides easy-to-understand examples in Getting Sued: How to Respond to a Lawsuit.

Mounting an Effective Defense to the Lawsuit

In the videos, you'll learn: 

• Common legal grounds for challenging a complaint and getting the case dismissed without a trial
• Why you must think like a plaintiff if you want to present your defense effectively
• How and when to start planning and preparing your defense
• Whether or not you have grounds to file a cross-claim (AKA cross-complaint, crossclaim, etc.) against the plaintiff or others

Crafting a Response to the Lawsuit

The videos will dive deep into the different types of responses to a lawsuit. You'll learn essential information to help you prepare your response, including:

• What to consider when deciding to file an answer or motion to dismiss
• Tips and strategies for preparing an answer or motion to dismiss (including sample answers and motion to dismiss)
• How to evaluate the allegations and challenge or deny the plaintiff's complaint
• Tips on avoiding missteps in early litigation that can cost you the case
• Steps to identify if the plaintiff's claims (causes of action) will hold up in court

Be your best advocate:  Study Getting Sued: How to Respond to a Lawsuit (and your jurisdiction's laws and court rules) — and begin your formidable defense today.

For more information on filing or defending a lawsuit, be sure to view Courtroom Introduction: Etiquette, Procedure, and Who’s Who? and Writing a Pre-Lawsuit Demand Letter.

Sample answers (general denial and specific denial) are available for download with purchase.