California Trial and Arbitration Attorneys

Many individual and corporate clients start managing disputes with attorneys who have a transactional background. However, when a dispute becomes litigious or appears likely to, your legal team should include attorneys with trial experience—a distinct skill set that is crucial for effectively navigating litigation. Working with seasoned trial attorneys can help you either avoid a trial or, if unavoidable, ensure your case is prepared to position you favorably in court.

At Delahunty & Nash LLP, our trial attorneys, based in San Francisco, are ready to handle cases in federal court and California’s Superior Courts. We have dedicated our careers to preparing for and litigating high-stakes commercial and criminal matters. Whether you need us to join your team at the onset of a dispute or as trial approaches, we’re prepared to support you in achieving a successful outcome.

At Delahunty & Nash LLP, litigation is our passion. Agile and tenacious in defending our clients’ interests, we bring extensive experience and skill to every phase of litigation. Simply put, we became lawyers to be in the courtroom, advocating before a jury. Located in San Francisco, we serve clients throughout California and in Federal Courts across the United States.

How does arbitration differ from a trial in court?

Some disputes go to arbitration rather than trial.  While similar, there are differences.  Arbitration is typically shorter than a trial (perhaps as short as one day) and should be less expensive than a trial.

In addition to the benefits of requiring less time and expense, arbitration may be favored for additional reasons.  Arbitrators are likely to be more flexible in admitting evidence.  For example, evidence that may not be admissible in a court proceeding, like hearsay, might be admitted in evidence in an arbitration. Arbitration also provides the benefit of privacy to the parties. Whereas a judicial proceeding is public, an arbitration is not, and the details of the dispute and underlying facts are therefore generally not known to anyone besides the parties and the arbitrator.

It is important to note that even though arbitration has many advantages, it may not always be preferred over a trial. Plaintiffs and defendants alike may wish, for different reasons, to have a public trial—either in the pursuit of justice, vindication, or public exoneration. Furthermore, limitations on the admission of evidence, as well as closer adherence to judicial precedent, may make a trial preferable over arbitration in some circumstances.  This is particularly true where your attorneys are highly skilled at navigating the rules of evidence and pre-trial procedural hurdles.

Often, however, arbitration is initiated pursuant to an arbitration clause that the parties are contractually obligated to follow and, therefore, the parties frequently do not have a choice about whether choose trial instead of arbitration.

Ask if We can Help

If you would like to learn more about our approach to litigation, including trial, please contact us.  It is one of our favorite things to discuss—so we are always available for consultation.