Lawsuit Defense

Facing a Lawsuit? You don’t Have to Face It Alone

Being sued is stressful, time-consuming, and potentially damaging to your business. You may be:

Worried about reputational harm or financial exposure
Unclear on your rights or legal options

Whether you’re dealing with a contract dispute, employment claim, or customer lawsuit, our experienced litigation team is ready to defend your business and protect what you’ve built.

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Consultation With an Attorney

Lawsuit Defense FAQs

What Happens If I Don’t Respond To The Lawsuit?

If you fail to respond to a lawsuit within the required timeframe, the court may enter a default judgment against you. This means the plaintiff automatically wins, and the court can order you to pay damages or take other actions—without hearing your side of the story. Ignoring a lawsuit won’t make it go away; in fact, it can make things much worse. It’s critical to act quickly and consult a qualified attorney to protect your rights and interests.

What is a default judgement?

A default judgment is a binding court decision in favor of the plaintiff when the defendant fails to respond or appear in court. Essentially, the court assumes you agree with the claims made against you and issues a ruling without a trial. This can result in wage garnishment, bank levies, or even seizure of business assets. Responding promptly and strategically is the best way to avoid this outcome.

Are my assets at risk?

Yes, your personal or business assets could be at risk depending on the nature of the lawsuit and how your business is structured. If a judgment is entered against you, the plaintiff may pursue collection through liens, garnishments, or levies. Working with an experienced legal team can help you assess exposure, identify protective measures, and mount a strong defense to reduce or eliminate that risk.

What are the risks to my business?

A lawsuit can disrupt operations, damage your reputation, and threaten your financial stability. Beyond direct legal costs, you may face business interruptions, loss of clients or contracts, and strained stakeholder relationships. A proactive defense can help you mitigate reputational harm and position your business for a stronger recovery—both legally and operationally.

What are the potential costs to defend this?

The cost of defending a lawsuit varies depending on the complexity of the case, the parties involved, and how far it progresses. Expenses may include attorney fees, court costs, discovery expenses, and expert witnesses. At Jimerson Birr, we work with you to build a strategic defense plan that balances effective legal protection with cost predictability—often through phased billing or fixed-fee arrangements when appropriate.

How Do I Know I’ve Been Served A Lawsuit?

You are officially “served” a lawsuit when you receive a formal copy of the complaint and a summons—typically delivered by a process server, sheriff’s deputy, or through certified mail, depending on your jurisdiction. This legal notice outlines the claims against you and your obligation to respond. If you receive legal documents that look unfamiliar or threatening, don’t ignore them—consult with a qualified attorney immediately to determine your next steps.

What Is The Timeline For Me To Respond to the lawsuit?

The deadline to respond to a lawsuit depends on the rules of the court and the method of service, but in most cases, you have 20 calendar days from the date of service to file a response. Missing this deadline can result in a default judgment against you. Time is of the essence—engaging legal counsel as soon as possible ensures you meet critical deadlines and preserve your ability to fight the claims.

HOW WE HELP

Here’s how we defend you effectively:
Thorough early case assessment to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities to resolve quickly

Clear communication and strategic guidance at every step
Aggressive defense when needed—but always tailored to your goals
Deep experience in defending small to mid-sized businesses in a wide range of commercial litigation
Commitment to client aligned, solution-oriented outcomes
Transparent pricing and commitment to protecting your bottom line
Use of modern technology

Call Us Today to Schedule Your Consultation With an Attorney

Jimerson Birr’s seasoned attorneys have decades of experience representing businesses facing a lawsuit.

Florida Class Action Litigation Defense | Jimerson Birr
Telephone Consumer Protection Act Defense | Jimerson Birr
Fair Credit Reporting Act Defense | Jimerson Birr
Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Defense in FL | Jimerson Birr
Florida Data Privacy and Cybersecurity | Jimerson Birr
Employment Law – unpaid wages, discrimination, trade secrets
Florida Trade Secret Protection | Jimerson Birr

our clients

testimonials

Line

Recovery Account Manager at Medical Supply Company Testimonial Jimerson Birr makes business to business debt collection easier than it normally is. They are effective because they are diligent, organized and aggressive. They are aware that a proactive and sensitive approach often yields the best result. They often secure payment in an agreeable manner, without putting a strain on the relationships we have with our customers. When a settlement cannot be worked out, they will go to the ends of the earth to get our money back. I’ve never seen such creativity and resourcefulness in getting our money back. They’ve been a trusted partner since the firm started and it has been fun to see our companies advance together. READ all TESTIMONIALS

Casualty Claim Specialist at Large Property & Casualty Insurer Testimonial

In my entire career, I’ve never seen as convoluted as a case as my last one with Jimerson Birr. This case had everything. With each twist and turn, Jimerson Birr remained calm and steady. They put together a strategy from the beginning that worked. Even things that we couldn’t have foreseen didn’t shake them as they delivered an incredible result for us. They managed a great case, came in on budget and were a hoot to work with.

READ all TESTIMONIALS

Complex Claims Specialist for Small Business Insurer Testimonial

Their experience in class-action claim defense has enabled us to achieve some swift, cost-effective results on consumer claims cases. They have a tried and true playbook that works. Jimerson Birr can spout off the law on most of the issues off the top of their head if you ask them too. I was always impressed by that, but what made me more impressed was how good they were to work with when dealing with difficult claimants in challenging cases.

READ all TESTIMONIALS

Chairman of the Board for Endocrine, Diabetes & Metabolism Medical Practice Testimonial

It seems we were on a run of nasty litigation for a few years in a row, which was a drag on our practice. Without getting into specifics, there were times where I thought we were not going to make it through. Each time Jimerson Birr helped us pull a rabbit out of a hat and overcome our opposition. We sure are glad that is behind us, but we never would have gotten to where we are at without them fixing those problems. We’ll always remember that.

READ all TESTIMONIALS

Chief Credit Officer & Head of Special Assets for Regional Bank

Jimerson Birr has performed litigation work for our bank and other banks we have worked at for many years. They have tackled some of the most challenging cases, ranging from complex foreclosures to bank and insurance fraud, to involuntary bankruptcies. Many of the cases required extensive industry and legal knowledge, and most all required unfriendly and lengthy negotiations or litigation. In each of those cases, JB did the necessary work, prepared in depth and we were successful without exception. I would highly recommend this firm for your litigation work, among many other service offerings.

READ all TESTIMONIALS

Director of Safety and Training for Trucking and Tanking Company Testimonial

Specialized, focused and efficient. The attorneys at Jimerson Birr proactively manage a wide range of matters for our company and their no-nonsense, laser-focused approach sets them apart from many other firms we’ve encountered in the past. They are quick to direct us towards our goals and help us prevent risk. When in need of quality legal counsel, this law firm gets the job done quickly and gets it done right. My highest recommendation goes to the experienced attorneys at Jimerson Birr.

READ all TESTIMONIALS

General Counsel for Railroad Company Testimonial

Recently, we started using them for litigation matters. They’ve always given practical advice and reported progress in ways that I could make key strategy decisions feeling informed. They promptly return emails and calls, they keep me updated and don’t require me to ask for an update, they don’t leave me surprised and they took time to learn the intricacies of our business. Their broad understanding of the litigation in any industry coupled with their sharp legal eye proved to be valuable during the times they advocated for our business needs and ensured that our interests were protected.

READ all TESTIMONIALS

General Manager of E-Commerce Company Testimonial

We brought in Jimerson Birr to contribute to our organization’s growth and focus. Their suite of abilities extends beyond law—this firm truly understands what makes a business tick. By working with Jimerson Birr, our management team was able to collaboratively build operational policies and procedures, craft specific risk management tools and, overall, reexamine the way we run our business to be more effective and profitable to further establish our place in the market. Any organization, whether established or in the early stages, can benefit from engaging this firm to help you create a stronger future for your business.

READ all TESTIMONIALS

Chief of Operations of Software Development Company Testimonial

Jimerson Birr has handled contracting issues and litigation work for our technology company with headquarters on the First Coast. We’ve given them a wide variety of problems to solve, and they have handled quite a few issues, ranging from more complex matters relative to intellectual property matters, services agreements, confidentiality and non-compete issues to helping us establish more focused operational policies that help us scale. Their extensive understanding of handling issues with the technology sector and steadfast insight on best practices has continually proven beneficial to our organization. When you put your trust in our Jimerson Birr, they will take a true hands-on approach.

READ all TESTIMONIALS

President of Commercial Property Management Company

Commercial evictions and tenant matters are ones that often need to be handled with a specific level of care. During a commercial removal process, I needed to obtain counsel and a colleague immediately referred me to Jimerson Birr. A successful ending to what would become a litigious journey was made possible by the firm’s extensive leasing knowledge and willingness to fight hard when it mattered most. We’ve encouraged our colleagues, owners and tenants to use them for their legal needs.

READ all TESTIMONIALS