Kevin's firm handled setting up my will and trust recently. They took something that seemed intimidating and made it easy to understand. I've also referred a couple clients to Kevin - he's trustworthy, approachable and very fairly priced.
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"Kevin was extremely professional, responsive and knowledgeable when I came to him for help. I would definitely recommend O'Flaherty Law!"
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After the trial, the judgment entered does not become final for 30 days. That means that during this 30-day period, either party could appeal the decision. Your legal team will discuss your options with you should you wish to appeal. Once the 30 days passes, and the judgment is final, you can move to enforce any judgment entered. We can also help you in enforcing and collecting any judgment entered.
Legal disputes can be complex and costly, especially if there is a lot of money, property or business relationships at stake. If you are considering bringing a lawsuit or defending yourself against a lawsuit, the right legal representation can make a huge difference.
At O’Flaherty Law, our Oak Park litigation lawyers represent individuals, property owners and businesses in a wide range of civil disputes. We want to understand your situation, develop realistic solutions and formulate a legal strategy that protects your interests.
We are focused on communicating clearly, offering cost-conscious representation and pursuing results consistent with your goals. Many disputes are settled through negotiation or mediation, but our attorneys are ready to represent you in court, if litigation becomes necessary.
Civil litigation occurs when two or more people, businesses or organizations have a legal disagreement. The disputes could be financial losses, broken agreements, property rights, or other claims that require legal action.
Our Oak Park civil litigation lawyers help clients with many kinds of legal problems, including:
If you're not familiar with court procedures, filing or responding to a civil lawsuit can be daunting. Our Oak Park litigation lawyers help clients understand what to expect during the legal process.
Case Evaluation and Legal Approach
We start the process by reviewing the facts surrounding your dispute. Once representation has begun, your attorney can review contracts, correspondence, financial records and other evidence to identify the legal issues and formulate a strategy.
Filing or Defending a Lawsuit
If you have to go through a formal litigation process, your lawyer can draft and file a complaint or answer a lawsuit that’s been already filed. Depending on your situation, this may include filing an answer, making defenses, or seeking dismissal of some claims.
Evidence Discovery and Collection
In discovery , the parties disclose relevant information and evidence . This process may involve written questions, document requests, testimony by a witness, and depositions. Good preparation assists in establishing the disputed facts and evaluating the possible outcome.
Trial or Settlement Negotiations
Many civil cases settle before they get to a courtroom. If settlement talks break down, however, your attorney can prepare your case to be heard by a judge or jury.
Dispute Resolution Outside the Court
Not every legal dispute should involve a long court case. In many cases, alternative dispute resolution can be a more effective and less costly way forward.
Our Oak Park dispute resolution attorneys look at things like direct negotiation, settlement agreements, mediation and arbitration as appropriate options.
These approaches can help parties preserve business relationships, exercise greater control over the outcome, and avoid some of the uncertainty of trial.
If a casual settlement is not possible, our attorneys can take legal action on your behalf to protect your legal rights and financial interests.
Depending on the nature of the claim and applicable court procedures, legal disputes involving Oak Park residents and businesses may be resolved in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
It is important to understand local filing requirements, court procedures and deadlines when navigating a civil lawsuit.
O’Flaherty Law represents clients throughout Oak Park, River Forest, Forest Park, Berwyn and surrounding Cook County communities. If you’re dealing with a local business, residential property or personal finance dispute, our legal team can help you navigate the process.
Learn how we service your area with our Remote Location Approach.
The purpose of a consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us.
Schedule a ConsultationLearn More About The FirmAt O’Flaherty Law, we know that legal problems can feel overwhelming, especially when they involve your business. Every case has a story, and this one is about how we helped JSHoldings, a small but growing property management company, deal with a big contract dispute.
JS Holdings had hired a contractor to help with a big renovation project. But things didn’t go as planned. When JS Holdings ended the contract early due to missed deadlines and poor work, the contractor sued for a lot of money. The business was at risk. This case shows how we stood by our client, protected their business, and found a fair and fast solution.
JS Holdings came to us feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do. They had hired a contractor to do several big construction jobs on their rental properties. The contractor missed deadlines, didn’t follow safety rules, and caused delays that cost JS Holdings time and money. After trying to fix things, JS Holdings ended the contract and hired someone else to finish the work.
Soon after, they were served with a lawsuit. The contractor was asking for over $275,000, saying they had been wrongfully terminated and were still owed money. The business owners were shocked. Their goal was simple: don’t pay money they didn’t owe, keep the business running smoothly, and get out of court if possible.
We listened to JS Holdings and started collecting every document, email, and record related to the contract and construction project. It was clear the contractor had broken many parts of the agreement. They didn’t meet important deadlines, didn’t fix issues after being told, and didn’t follow the rules in the contract.
With that information, we built a plan to protect our client. First, we filed a legal motion to throw out some of the contractor’s claims. We also reached out to the other side’s lawyer to start a conversation about settling the case instead of going to trial. At the same time, we prepared for all possibilities, including going to court if needed. Our goal was to give JS Holdings the best possible defense while also helping them avoid a long and expensive legal fight.
We recommended that JS Holdings participate in mediation, a private meeting where both sides try to reach an agreement with the help of a neutral third party. This was a chance to settle the case without going to court and without it becoming public.
After several months of preparation and negotiation, we settled the case at mediation. JS Holdings agreed to pay $65,000—less than a quarter of what the contractor was asking for. They didn’t have to admit to anything, and both sides agreed not to badmouth each other going forward.
This gave our client peace of mind and allowed them to move on without risking more money, time, or reputation. The business could keep growing without a lawsuit hanging over its head.
This case shows that even when legal problems feel huge, there is a way forward. JS Holdings was scared they might lose a lot of money—or even their business. But with the right legal team, they were able to protect themselves, understand their rights, and make smart decisions.
At O’Flaherty Law, we treat every client with care and respect. We take the time to understand the problem, explain your options in plain language, and create a plan that fits your goals. We believe in open communication, returning calls promptly, and being there every step of the way.
If your business is being sued, has a contract issue, or a legal fight you don’t know how to handle, we can help. We’ll talk you through your options and help you make a plan to move forward. Let us help you protect what you’ve worked so hard to build.
I am personally committed to ensuring that each one of our clients receives the highest level of client service from our team. Our mission is to provide excellent legal work in a cost-effective manner while maintaining open lines of communication between our clients and their attorneys. Many of our clients are going through difficult times in their lives when they reach out to us. They should feel comfortable leaning on the experience and knowledge of our attorneys as their counselors and advocates. We are here to help!

Litigation attorneys handle a wide range of civil disputes, including business disagreements, breach of contract claims, employment disputes, real estate conflicts, and financial litigation. They help clients navigate lawsuits by gathering evidence, preparing legal documents, negotiating settlements, and representing them in court. Hiring a litigation lawyer can help protect your rights, reduce legal risks, and pursue a favorable resolution while potentially saving time and money.