Practice area

Civil Litigation & Dispute Resolution

When a dispute cannot be settled at the table, you need an advocate prepared to take it to court, state or federal, and through appeal.

Book a consultation Call (773) 888-7808

Scope

We help with

Breach of contract
Business and partnership disputes
Insurance claims
Construction disputes
Civil-rights claims (42 U.S.C. § 1983)
Federal privacy and wiretap claims
Appeals
Negotiation and settlement

How a case moves

Most civil cases follow the same arc: a demand, a complaint, the exchange of evidence (discovery), motions that test the claims, and then either a settlement or a trial. Each stage has deadlines that the court enforces. We tell you at the start which stage matters most in your case and what it will ask of you.

State or federal court

Contract and business disputes are usually heard in the Circuit Court of Cook County or another Illinois court. Claims under federal law, such as civil-rights or wiretap claims, and disputes between parties from different states can belong in federal court. Ms. Lane is admitted to the U.S. District Courts in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Texas, and to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Settlement

A fair settlement is usually the result of a case that is ready for trial. We prepare every matter on that basis, and we tell you plainly when an offer is worth taking.

Common questions

Do I have to go to trial?

Most disputes settle. We prepare every case as if it will be tried, which is what makes a fair settlement possible.

How long do I have to file?

Deadlines (statutes of limitations) differ by claim, and some claims against public bodies also require early notice. Contact us early so that no option is lost.

What should I bring to the first meeting?

The contract or agreement, the letters and e-mails exchanged, any invoices or payment records, and a short timeline of what happened, in your own words.