How to Survive the Nightmare of Litigation

Survive the Nightmare of Litigation

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At some point in your career or life, you may find yourself in the middle of a lawsuit. While the media portrays litigation as quick and simple, it's anything but that. The best advice is always to avoid litigation, if possible, since it's costly and time-consuming for all involved. But if it's unavoidable, here are some tips for getting you through it intact.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

A lot of patience (and I mean A LOT).
Stamina to see a lawsuit through (it could take years).
Humility to defer to your lawyer's advice.
Perspective on what's truly important.

Step1

First, if you find yourself in the midst of a lawsuit, be prepared that it could take several months (best-case scenario) to a couple of years. There's a mountain of paperwork that'll collect, and everything takes a lot of time, so be prepared to play the Waiting Game.

Step2

Maintain perspective and do not get emotionally reactive every time the opposing side sends your side documents attempting to undermine your position. Remember that litigation is war, and your opponent is trying to break your spirit and resolve; do not give in to that. Otherwise, you've lost before either of you has stepped into the courtroom.

Step3

Listen to your lawyer! If you're confident in your selection of attorneys, then you should take his/her advice. Remember: They're on your side and want you to win. I have argued with my lawyers in past instances, but almost 100% of the time they were right. That's their job, and that's what they're paid for. So make sure you're all on the same team.

Step4

Finally, do NOT spend all your waking moments obsessing over your suit. You need to stay mentally and emotionally strong throughout the litigation, so limit the amount of time and emotional energy you put into worrying about your case. Let your lawyers worry for you, and take care of yourself. Remember: Litigation is a marathon, not a sprint. So the more perspective and stamina you have, the better your chance of victory.