Fresno Lawsuit Attorney

Wade Litigation helps individuals and businesses in Fresno and Fresno County file lawsuits and defend against them. Whether you need to sue someone who has breached a contract, defrauded you or damaged your property, or you have just been served with a summons and complaint, our attorneys appear regularly in the Fresno County Superior Court in downtown Fresno and will tell you plainly what your case is worth and what it will take. We offer a no-cost case evaluation.

Filing a Lawsuit in Fresno County

A lawsuit begins with a complaint that states the facts and the legal claims, filed in the superior court with jurisdiction over the dispute, and served on each defendant with a summons. Before filing, we evaluate the claim, confirm the statute of limitations, identify every proper defendant, consider whether a demand letter or pre-suit negotiation makes sense, and decide whether the amount in controversy makes the case a limited or unlimited civil matter. A well-drafted complaint survives the defendant’s first motions and frames the case for everything that follows.

Fresno is the largest city in the San Joaquin Valley and the economic center of California’s agricultural heartland, and the disputes we see here reflect that: farm and agribusiness contracts, closely held family companies, water and land issues, and estates that include working ranches and orchards.

Defending a Lawsuit

If you have been served, the clock is running: a response is generally due within 30 days, and missing the deadline can result in a default judgment. We review the complaint for defects that can be attacked by demurrer or motion to strike, evaluate whether you have claims of your own to bring as a cross-complaint, preserve your evidence, and put the plaintiff to its proof. Many claims look stronger on paper than they are in discovery.

The Stages of a Civil Lawsuit

After the pleadings are settled, the parties exchange written discovery and documents, take depositions, and bring motions, including motions for summary judgment that can end a case before trial. Fresno County Superior Court sets a case management schedule and, in most cases, requires mediation or a settlement conference before trial. Trial may be to a judge or a jury. Throughout, we make deliberate decisions with the client about where to invest effort and when a resolution makes more sense than the next stage.

Judgments and Collection

Winning a judgment is not the same as collecting it. We pursue collection through wage garnishment, bank levies, liens on real property, debtor examinations and, where assets have been moved, fraudulent transfer claims. We also advise defendants facing a judgment on their options.

Types of Lawsuits We Handle

Contract disputes; business and commercial litigation; fraud and misrepresentation; real estate and property disputes; partnership and ownership disputes; collection and defense of commercial debts; and disputes over wills, trusts and estates handled by our Fresno probate litigation attorneys.

Why Fresno Clients Choose Wade Litigation

Our firm was built by litigators. We prepare every matter to be decided by a judge, which is what produces strong settlements and credible positions in court. Clients also choose us because we return calls, explain the process in plain language, and tell them where their case stands at every step. Our founder, Amiel Wade, has built a record of more than 300 winning cases, and the firm has been recognized by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys and the American Institute of Legal Professionals.

Serving All of Fresno County

We represent plaintiffs and defendants in Fresno, Clovis, Sanger, Selma, Reedley, Kingsburg, Kerman, Fowler and every other community in Fresno County. Consultations are available by phone and video, and in person by appointment. Contact Wade Litigation for a no-cost case evaluation, or learn more about our Fresno civil litigation practice.