Boulder City Magazine is a monthly publication full of information about Boulder City and Southern Nevada. Boulder City Magazine features the Boulder City Home Guide, a real estate guide to Boulder City and Southern Nevada.

Lawyer's Edge
by Rodney S.Woodbury, Esq.
Woodbury Law

Compromise and Settlement



When people approach me to discuss their options for resolving legal disputes, filing a lawsuit is often foremost in their minds. As human beings we have a natural tendency to want justice; after all, why should we compromise if we’re in the right? There are many reasons, however, why filing a lawsuit isn’t the answer to every dispute.

One obvious reason for settlement is the tremendous cost of litigation. Still, litigants are frequently surprised to learn–often too late–that it can cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees to take a matter to trial. Unfortunately, when some one is adamant about fighting on principle, this fact often doesn’t fully register at the outset.

Another less obvious reason, yet just as important, is the tremendous emotional strain that litigation introduces into your life. The plain fact is that litigation is adversarial, often occupies your time and attention for the better part of two to three years, and has a tendency to sap your energy, put you on an emotional roller coaster, and ultimately drain your emotional reserves.

Litigation is also fraught with risk. Contrary to popular opinion, there’s no such thing as slam-dunk case. No matter how strong your case may be, you will inevitably be faced with proof problems, including trying to recreate the past with imperfect evidence, fading memory, and limitations imposed by evidentiary rules. Also, your case will ultimately be decided by a third party who may not share your values, background, or world view. Furthermore, if you lose, there’s a chance you may have to pay not only damages but also the other party’s attorneys fees and costs.

Finally, even if you win, victory is often hollow. You rarely get everything you want, and even if you do, you may come to a sudden realization that the desire for retribution and the feeling of being wronged don’t magically disappear just because a judge decides in your favor.




Boulder City Magazine®
688 Wells Rd #A
Boulder City, Nevada 89005
Phone (702) 972-0661
E-mail: BoulderCityMagazine@gmail.com



Web Site Design by Appleby Arts
Copyright © 2004 - 2011 - Boulder City Magazine - All Rights Reserved
E-mail Web Master at: webmaster@bouldercitymagazine.com

Disclaimer