PRACTICE AREAS

Civil Litigation

Most people think of trials and verdicts when discussing civil litigation. However, civil litigation is a step-by-step process set out by court rules, much of which takes place before getting to trial.

A civil litigation attorney moves a case through the multi-step process of gathering information, preparing pleadings to file in your case and responding to pleadings from the other party, discovery (each side answers written questions and provides documents requested by the other side, as well depositions of witnesses likely to be called to testify at trial), negotiations and finally either settlement or trial.

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Personal Injury

We represent clients who have sustained serious injuries due to

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Trucking accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Premises liability
• Slip and falls
• Unsafe conditions

Business and Commercial

• Fraud
• Tortious Interference
• Conspiracy to injure a business
• Trade Secrets
• Virginia Consumer Protection Act claims
• Conversion
• Breach of Duty of Loyalty
• Negligent hiring or retention
• Collection of Accounts
• Formation of business entities

Contracts

• Employment contracts and agreements
• Covenants not to compete
• Non-solicitation agreements
• Non-disclosure agreements
• Federal Government contracting disputes

Professional Liability

• Medical Malpractice
• Dental Malpractice
• Representation of Professionals before regulatory bodies

Wills and Estate Litigation

• Breach of fiduciary duties
• Undue Influence
• Will disputes
• Trust disputes

Mediation

Mediation is a structured interactive process in which an impartial, neutral third party (mediator) assists parties in resolving a dispute. Stephen H. Ratliff has been working as a mediator in civil cases for over 30 years. He works to find creative and successful solutions to help parties reach a mutually agreeable resolution and in turn save time, money and resources that would be spent on costly litigation.

Arbitration

Arbitration is a process whereby the parties submit their dispute to an impartial arbitrator, typically an experienced attorney or retired judge, who, after hearing each side’s evidence, renders a ruling/decision in the case. The process is streamlined and a faster and less expensive alternative to litigating disputes through the court system. Stephen H. Ratliff has worked as an arbitrator for many years involving civil disputes and is respected for his thoroughness and fairness in reaching a decision based upon the evidence.