What's the difference between litigation and arbitration?

Litigation is in public court with a judge or jury and full rights of appeal. Arbitration is private, decided by one or three arbitrators the parties pay for, with limited discovery and almost no appeal. Which is better depends on the case.

How long will my case take?

In Los Angeles Superior Court, a civil case that goes all the way to trial commonly takes well over a year. Most settle sooner. Arbitration is usually faster.

Can you take over a case from my current lawyer?

Yes. We review the file, tell you honestly whether a change makes sense, and handle the transition with the court.

Do you handle appeals?

Yes, in state court, and we tell you at the start of any case what an appeal would realistically involve.

Can you help with a dispute that involves another country?

Yes. Our lawyers are admitted in more than one jurisdiction and we work with counsel abroad where needed, particularly on international arbitration and enforcement of awards and judgments.

What we handle · Los Angeles

Civil Litigation & Arbitration Attorney in Los Angeles

Neva bring a knife to a gunfight.

If you're bringing the claim

Your dispute doesn't fit a neat label — or it fits three. A civil litigation attorney in Los Angeles takes it from first letter to judgment: investigation, demand, complaint, discovery, motions, mediation, trial, and appeal if it comes to that. Where a contract sends the case to arbitration — JAMS, AAA, or an international tribunal — we handle that too, and we are comfortable in both rooms.

If you're defending one

Or you have been sued and the clock is already running. The first thirty days decide more than people realise: whether to answer, to challenge the complaint, to move the case, or to force arbitration. We make those calls with you quickly and explain each one plainly. Our firm's lawyers are admitted in more than one country, which matters when the dispute, the parties or the assets cross borders.

Common situations we handle

“I've been served and I don't know what to do first.”
“The other side has a big firm and I need someone who can stand up to it.”
“My contract says arbitration and I don't understand what that means.”
“The dispute involves a company or assets overseas.”
“We won a judgment and now we need to collect it.”
“I need a second opinion on a case my current lawyer is handling.”

What the law says

A California civil case follows a set sequence: a complaint, a response within thirty days of service, an exchange of evidence called discovery, motions that can end or narrow the case, mandatory settlement efforts, and trial before a judge or jury. Most cases settle; the ones that don't are won by preparation long before the trial date.

Arbitration replaces the courtroom with a private tribunal when the parties have agreed to it in writing. It is quicker and confidential, discovery is narrower, and the award is very hard to appeal — which is why the decision to arbitrate, or to resist it, deserves real thought. International arbitration adds questions of which law applies, where the award can be enforced, and how to secure assets in the meantime.

What's at stake

Everything the other side has asked for, plus interest and, where a statute or contract allows, their attorney's fees — or, on the other side, everything you are owed. We tell you at the start what a realistic path looks like and which way of working applies, so there are no surprises.

How long you have

If you've been served: thirty days. If you're bringing a claim: it depends on the claim — from one year for some statutory claims to four for a written contract and longer for some property matters. Arbitration clauses often impose their own notice periods. Send us the papers and we will tell you the date that matters.

What happens next

1
Tell us what happened
The quiz, a text, or a call. Fifteen minutes, free.
2
We tell you straight
Whether you have a case, what it would take, and which way of working applies.
3
Clear terms in writing
If we take it, you get clear terms in writing before anything starts.

Three ways we work. Some cases we take on contingency — no fee unless we win; if there's no recovery you don't pay us a fee, though you may still be responsible for case costs, which we explain in writing before anything starts. Some cases we do for a fixed fee you know before we begin. Some are hourly. We tell you which applies in the first call.

Why Cirkveni 2.0

Trial training

Neva trained on the plaintiffs' trial team at a top Los Angeles litigation firm. Every case is prepared as if it will go to trial.

Direct access

You deal with the lawyer. Your calls and texts reach Neva, not a queue.

Straight talk

Plain English, honest about the odds, and a fee you know before we start.

Second generation

The first Cirkveni law office opened in 1992. Same instinct, rebuilt for now.

What a client said

“I would recommend Neva. She is knowledgeable, detailed, patient, and did a great job of explaining the process and answering my questions. I was very pleased with the experience and settlement.”

— Cathy P., Google review

5.0 on Google

Results depend on the facts of each case.

Questions people ask

Find out where you stand.

Text or call +1 (424) 230-3912, or take the five-question quiz.

Do I have a case?Text +1 (424) 230-3912 Call +1 (424) 230-3912