Civil Litigation

Overview

When a dispute cannot be resolved through negotiation, demand letters, or pre-suit engagement, litigation is the mechanism by which rights are enforced. Prescott & Hargrove provides full-spectrum civil litigation services in state and federal courts, from initial pleading through trial and, where appropriate, appeal.

Our litigation practice reflects the same principles that guide our pre-suit work: thorough preparation, document-driven argumentation, and strategic discipline. We do not file lawsuits for leverage alone. We file when the case has merit, the evidence supports the claims, and the forum is positioned to deliver a meaningful result.

Litigation Capabilities

• Complaint drafting and initial pleadings in state and federal court
• Motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, and complex motions practice
• Written and oral discovery, including depositions, interrogatories, and document requests
• Trial preparation, witness preparation, and courtroom presentation
• Settlement negotiation at all stages of litigation
• Post-trial motions and appellate briefing

Jurisdictions

Our attorneys are admitted to practice and have active litigation experience in:

• D.C. Superior Court
• U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Virginia
• U.S. District Court, District of Maryland
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
• Virginia and Maryland state courts

Types of Cases We Litigate

• Breach of contract and commercial disputes
• Consumer protection claims under federal and state statutes
• Unjust enrichment, conversion, and restitution claims
• Tortious interference with business relationships
• Fraud, misrepresentation, and deceptive trade practices
• Financial platform and custodial account disputes
• Declaratory and injunctive relief actions

Our Approach

Effective litigation begins before the complaint is filed. We conduct pre-suit investigation, preserve evidence, and identify the strongest legal theories before committing a case to court. Once litigation is initiated, we are thorough in discovery, precise in briefing, and prepared for trial.

We also recognize that most civil cases settle before trial. Our litigation strategy accounts for this reality—we build cases that are strong enough to try, which positions us for favorable settlement negotiations at every stage of the proceedings.