Miami Civil Litigation Lawyer
If you have been sued in Miami or need to file suit, the first work is the claim, the evidence and the next court deadline. Law Offices of Aaron Resnick in Miami represents individuals and businesses in civil litigation. Attorney Aaron Resnick has handled business disputes in Miami since 1998 and works hands-on on every case.
Aaron knows the law. He knows both sides. And he knows Miami. That is why Miami business owners know Aaron.
Attorney Aaron Resnick co-chairs the Miami-Dade Bar's Civil Litigation Committee and is a 2023 recipient of the Miami-Dade Bar's Circle of Excellence in Business Litigation.
Attorney Aaron Resnick of Law Offices of Aaron Resnick represents parties in civil disputes.
For a dispute over a business contract, company ownership or another commercial matter, Aaron Resnick handles it through the firm's commercial litigation practice.
Property Purchase Disputes. Miami attorney Aaron Resnick represented professional football players seeking the return of deposits on W South Beach condominiums. The W South Beach litigation concerned the purchases and the developer's use of the hotel brand.
What Does a Civil Litigation Lawyer Do?
A civil litigation lawyer evaluates a dispute, identifies the claims and defenses, prepares court papers and represents a party through the case. Law Offices of Aaron Resnick handles civil disputes for individuals and businesses. Bring the events, supporting records and the result being sought, whether you are considering a claim or responding to one.
A civil case asks a court to resolve legal rights or obligations. The requested relief may concern money, property or an order requiring or stopping conduct. The federal courts' civil case guide explains the relief a civil complaint can request.
Identify the actual dispute before selecting a legal label. A disagreement about property, a demand for compensation and a pending lawsuit can require different records and responses.
Aaron Resnick reviews the claim, the requested relief and the available defenses before the next step is chosen.
What Should I Do After Receiving a Summons or Complaint?
Keep the summons, complaint and attachments together and record when and how the papers arrived. A court response deadline is different from a deadline in a demand letter. Law Offices of Aaron Resnick reviews the papers and the procedural stage; send any hearing or response date first, before gathering every record.
Under the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, a defendant generally must serve an answer within 20 days after service of original process and the initial pleading. Different statutes, applicable motions or court orders can change the period. Federal cases, small claims and special proceedings require separate deadline checks.
Ignoring a complaint can lead to a default under the Florida default rules. A conversation about settlement is not itself a court response; have counsel check what must be served or filed.
Aaron Resnick checks the papers, service information and next deadline before addressing the merits.
What Evidence Should I Preserve for a Civil Dispute?
Preserve complete agreements, correspondence, photographs, payment records and other material connected to the dispute. Keep original electronic files and identify people with firsthand knowledge. Law Offices of Aaron Resnick reviews the available evidence and gaps in the record; a short chronology helps separate what happened from what each party says happened.
| Record | What It Helps Answer |
|---|---|
| Agreements and amendments | What duties or rights were agreed? |
| Messages, notices and delivery records | What was said, when, and to whom? |
| Photographs, original files and witness details | What evidence supports the disputed events? |
| Payment, repair or other loss records | What loss is claimed, and what supports it? |
| Court papers and orders | What has already been requested or decided? |
The Florida discovery rules allow requests for relevant, nonprivileged information proportional to the case. Preservation and disclosure are different steps; privilege and objections are reviewed against the requests actually served.
Aaron Resnick reviews the evidence and disclosure obligations before a discovery response is prepared.
Can a Civil Dispute Be Resolved Without a Trial?
A civil dispute may end through negotiation, mediation, an arbitration process or a court ruling before trial. Law Offices of Aaron Resnick reviews those options alongside the litigation. The right route depends on the claim, the agreement and the case; declining a settlement does not mean a trial will automatically follow.
In mediation, the parties decide whether to settle; the mediator helps the discussion rather than imposing the result. Chapter 44, Florida Statutes distinguishes mediation from arbitration, which may be binding or nonbinding under the applicable process.
An enforceable agreement may require arbitration under chapter 682. A court may also resolve claims without trial through motions; the summary judgment rule requires no genuine dispute about a material fact and entitlement to judgment as a matter of law.
Aaron Resnick compares the evidence, settlement terms and available procedures before advising on a proposed resolution.
What Can a Court Award or Order in a Civil Case?
The relief available in a civil case depends on the legal claim and the proof, not simply the amount demanded. A party may seek compensation, a declaration of rights or an order addressing conduct. Law Offices of Aaron Resnick reviews what the law permits and what evidence supports the requested relief.
Chapter 86, Florida Statutes addresses declarations of legal rights and relations. An injunction can restrict conduct, but temporary relief has separate procedural requirements under the Florida injunction rule.
Punitive damages are not an automatic addition to a civil claim. Chapter 768 requires a supporting evidentiary basis to plead them and clear and convincing proof of intentional misconduct or gross negligence for liability under its punitive damages provision.
Aaron Resnick reviews the requested remedy and the evidence needed to support or oppose it.
Which Court and Filing Deadlines Apply in Miami?
The court for a civil dispute depends on the claim, the requested relief, the parties and the proper location for suit. The time to bring a claim is separate from the time to respond. Law Offices of Aaron Resnick reviews both questions before a filing decision or response is made.
For ordinary Florida civil claims seeking money, chapter 34 generally places claims up to $50,000, excluding interest, costs and attorney fees, in county court. Larger claims generally belong in circuit court under chapter 26; exclusive jurisdiction and the requested relief can change that analysis.
The Eleventh Judicial Circuit covers Miami Dade County. Chapter 47 addresses venue, including the defendant's residence, where the claim arose and property location, with exceptions. The firm's office location does not choose the proper county for every suit.
Chapter 95 sets different filing periods for different civil claims. Identify the event that may start the clock and any earlier notice requirement; do not apply one general civil deadline to every dispute.
Aaron Resnick checks the claim, location and relevant dates before selecting the filing route.
What Should I Bring, and What Happens Next?
Tell Law Offices of Aaron Resnick who is involved, what happened and the next court date. Have the complete court papers, the agreements and the supporting records ready. Aaron Resnick reviews them and the immediate deadline; an inquiry does not create representation or promise a result.
| Stage | Work to Discuss |
|---|---|
| First review | Parties, claim, defenses, urgent dates and records. |
| Initial court response | Required pleadings or motions and the applicable service or filing deadline. |
| Evidence and scheduling | Disclosures, document requests, witness evidence and court orders. |
| Resolution | Settlement terms, remaining motions and any trial preparation. |
The Florida case management rules use scheduling orders in covered civil cases. The actual order governs the case calendar; no universal completion date follows from the filing of a complaint.
Read Aaron Resnick's background before the first call.
Aaron Resnick identifies the first task to discuss after reviewing the court papers.
Send the parties, the problem and the next date; the firm reviews every inquiry and tells you whether it can help.
We Don't Make Promises. We Have Results to Prove It.
Aaron Resnick has handled business disputes in Miami since 1998 and is a fourth generation Miami resident. He works hands-on on every case; the client gets Aaron on every major litigation issue, not a junior partner. The Law Offices of Aaron Resnick represents large corporations, Miami businesses and their owners, professional athletes and entertainers in Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and across Florida in business litigation and business counsel. Call 305-672-7495 or request a consultation.
This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome.
