What Is a Civil Defense Attorney?

Posted on: 11 July 2022

If you're looking for a lawyer, but you're not sure exactly which type of lawyer you will need, it can feel exhausting trying to learn about all the different types of lawyers out there. Learn about the civil defense attorney to see if this is the type of lawyer you are looking for. 

What Is a Civil Defense Attorney?

A civil defense attorney is a pro in defending civil disputes. They can specialize in many areas, but they do not cover any area of criminal law. They will always focus on civil law cases. 

Civil Law vs Criminal Law

Criminal law refers to cases where someone has committed a crime. A criminal defense attorney tries to do everything in their power to keep their client out of jail or even just reduce their sentence. A civil attorney defends their client against civil wrongdoings. 

The following are some of the areas a civil defense attorney would cover:

  • Personal injury
  • Wrongful death
  • Employment 
  • Family
  • Property

Most of the time, a civil defense attorney is working towards helping you receive compensation for the wrongdoing. 

What Does a Civil Defense Attorney Do?

If your civil case ends up going in front of a judge, a civil defense attorney will be with you every step of the way. The civil defense attorney will be experienced in negotiating; their goal will be to get you the most compensation possible, or on the other hand, fight to prevent you from having to pay another party compensation.

Other things a civil defense attorney does can include:

  • Gathering evidence
  • Filing paperwork and documentation
  • Partaking in deposition hearings
  • Provide legal advice and/or assistance
  • Finding expert witnesses
  • Filing an appeal

Negotiating will be a big part of a civil defense attorney's job. They will not only negotiate with a judge but also with other individuals, landlords, companies, etc. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Civil Defense Attorney?

The cost of hiring a civil defense attorney can vary widely depending on their experience and your location. It can also vary widely depending on how they charge their clients. Some civil defense attorneys will charge a flat rate or an hourly rate. Other attorneys will charge their clients on a contingency basis. 

To be charged on a contingency basis means if you lose your civil case, you will not owe your attorney any money for their services. However, if you do win, you will owe them a certain percentage of the money you win from the case. For example, if you agreed on a 10 percent contingency fee and you are rewarded $10,000, you will only owe your lawyer $1,000 for their services. 

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