Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Ohio

Re: filing a civil law suit

Dear Advocate,

Your request of how to file suit, try your case to a jury, etc. is like asking a surgeon how to do brain surgery at home!

The practice of law is a highly skilled profession, and trials are even a more highly skilled, experienced art, not recommended for those untrained, or uneducated in the law.

However, if you're determined, here are some of the steps:

1. If your claims are timely and within the applicable statutes of limitations, draft and file suit in the proper jurisdiction, naming the proper corporate officers, etc. and the statutory agent for the corporation or other business entity, attaching the applicable contract documents, or face dismissal for failure to do so.

2. Conduct discovery:Interrogatories,Requests for Admission and depositions before a Court Reporter.

3. Timely respond to opposing counsel's counterclaims and defenses, including motions to dismiss or for summary judgment.

4. Prepare trial brief, and conduct a jury trial including voir dire, etc., and Jury Instructions. Cross-examine hostile, opposing witnesses, and direct exam your own witnesses. Note, you may not try your own case and also act as a witness.

If you can do all of these things successfully and conforming to the complex Rules of Evidence, and Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure, you're a winner and should attend law school, for a great career! Otherwise, contact amd consult legal counsel.

Good luck.

Sincerely,

J. Norman Stark, Cleveland, Ohio.