Jack Gilbert

Civil Litigation Criminal Defense Personal Injury Litigation

What is a verdict?

March 26, 2026

A verdict is the formal decision a jury (or sometimes a judge) reaches after a trial, stating whether a party is liable or a defendant...

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Appellate Law Civil Litigation Criminal Defense

What is an appeal?

March 26, 2026

An appeal is a formal request asking a higher court to review and potentially change a lower court’s decision. It focuses on legal errors in...

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Class Action Litigation Complex Litigation Consumer Protection Litigation

What is a class action lawsuit?

March 26, 2026

A class action lawsuit lets 1 or more plaintiffs sue on behalf of a larger “class” harmed in the same way by the same defendant....

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Civil Litigation Family Law Personal Injury Law

What is an interrogatory?

March 26, 2026

An interrogatory is a written set of questions one party in a lawsuit sends to another to answer under oath during discovery, usually within 30...

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Appellate Practice Civil Litigation Criminal Defense

What is a motion to dismiss?

March 26, 2026

A motion to dismiss is a request asking the court to throw out a lawsuit because the complaint is legally insufficient, filed improperly, or the...

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Appellate Practice Civil Litigation Personal Injury Litigation

What is summary judgment?

March 26, 2026

Summary judgment is a court ruling issued without a trial when no genuine dispute of material fact exists and one party is entitled to judgment...

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Civil Litigation Consumer Law Debt Collection

What is a default judgment?

March 26, 2026

A default judgment is a court order granting the plaintiff’s requested relief because the defendant failed to respond or appear by the required deadline. It...

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Civil Litigation Criminal Defense Personal Injury Litigation

What is discovery?

March 26, 2026

Discovery is the pretrial process where each side in a lawsuit must exchange relevant, nonprivileged information—often via interrogatories, document requests, and depositions. It’s designed to...

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Civil Litigation Employment Law Personal Injury Law

What is a deposition?

March 26, 2026

A deposition is sworn, out-of-court testimony taken under oath and recorded—usually by a court reporter—to gather evidence before trial. Attorneys for both sides ask questions,...

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Civil Litigation Consumer Protection Law Employment Law

What is a complaint?

March 26, 2026

A complaint is the legal document that starts a civil lawsuit by stating the plaintiff’s claims and the relief sought. It’s filed in the appropriate...

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Civil Litigation Criminal Defense Debt Collection

What is a summons?

March 26, 2026

A summons is a court-issued legal notice that tells you you’re being sued or charged and sets a deadline to respond or appear. It typically...

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Communications & Telecommunications Law Intellectual Property Law Media & Entertainment Law

What is an answer?

March 26, 2026

An “answer” is the defendant’s written response to a civil complaint, typically due within 20–30 days after service (often 21 days in federal court). It...

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