New York

Civil Litigation Lawyers

New York civil litigation lawyers resolve non-criminal disputes — over contracts, business deals, unpaid debts, fraud, and property — through negotiation, New York’s courts, or arbitration. Most civil cases are filed in the New York Supreme Court, the state’s trial-level court, with complex business matters often routed to its Commercial Division. Deadlines are strict: under New York’s CPLR, most written-contract claims must be filed within six years and most personal-injury or property-damage claims within three. VK Law represents businesses and individuals across New York in these disputes. For a free consultation, call 877-780-4727.

What is civil litigation in New York?

Civil litigation is the process of resolving a non-criminal dispute between two or more parties. Unlike a criminal case, no one goes to jail; instead, the parties seek money damages or a court order requiring someone to do — or stop doing — something. In New York, civil litigation covers a wide range of conflicts: a broken business contract, an unpaid invoice, a partnership falling apart, fraud, a real-estate dispute, or efforts to collect on a court judgment.

Most civil disputes never reach a trial. They are settled through negotiation, mediation, or arbitration, or decided by a judge on written motions long before a jury is seated. A New York civil litigation lawyer guides a business or individual through each stage — from the first demand letter, to filing or answering a lawsuit, through discovery (the formal exchange of evidence), and on to settlement, trial, or appeal if needed.

New York’s court system for civil cases

Knowing where a case will be heard matters, because the court sets the rules and the pace. New York’s structure can surprise people from other states:

• Supreme Court — Despite the name, this is New York’s main trial court, not its highest court. Most civil lawsuits seeking more than $50,000, and cases asking a court to order action rather than money, are filed here.
• Commercial Division — A specialized part of the Supreme Court that hears complex business disputes. Cases generally must meet a monetary threshold that varies by county — for example, $500,000 in New York County (Manhattan) under the court’s rules. Judges there focus on commercial matters and apply streamlined procedures.
• Civil Court and local courts — Lower-value claims may be heard in the New York City Civil Court or, outside the city, in county, city, town, or village courts.
• Appellate Division — The mid-level appeals court that reviews trial-court decisions.
• Court of Appeals — New York’s highest court, which has the final word on questions of New York law.

Deadlines to file: New York’s statutes of limitations

A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. Miss it, and a valid claim can be thrown out no matter how strong it is. New York’s deadlines live in the Civil Practice Law and Rules (the CPLR). Common civil deadlines include:

• Breach of a written contract — six years. Under CPLR 213, most claims on a contractual obligation must be filed within six years.
• Injury to a person or to property — three years. Under CPLR 214, most claims for personal injury or property damage must be filed within three years.
• Fraud — six years, or two years from discovery. Under CPLR 213, a fraud claim runs the greater of six years from when it occurred or two years from when the fraud was discovered (or reasonably should have been).

These are general rules with important exceptions, and the clock can start on different dates depending on the facts. Because a missed deadline usually ends a case, confirming the correct deadline early is one of the first things a civil litigation lawyer does.

Common civil litigation matters we handle in New York

VK Law represents businesses and individuals across New York in disputes including:

• Contract and business disputes — breach of contract, partnership and shareholder conflicts, vendor and supplier disputes, and unpaid accounts.
• Fraud and financial disputes — claims involving misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, and financial misconduct.
• Judgment enforcement and debt collection — pursuing and collecting on money judgments (see below).
• Real-property and commercial-lease disputes — conflicts over ownership, use, and commercial tenancy.
• Defamation and protected-speech disputes — including cases touched by New York’s anti-SLAPP law.

New York clients with estate or trust conflicts — such as contested wills or trust disputes — are often better served by our New York trust and estate attorneys, who focus on that area.

Collecting a judgment: CPLR Article 52

Winning a lawsuit and actually getting paid are two different things. A “money judgment” is the court’s order that one party owes another a sum of money — but the court does not collect it for you. New York’s enforcement tools are found in CPLR Article 52. They include:

• Restraining notices (CPLR 5222) — a notice that can freeze a debtor’s bank account or other property so it cannot be moved or spent while the debt is collected.
• Information subpoenas — formal demands requiring the debtor or third parties (like banks) to disclose assets and income.
• Income executions and levies — court-backed orders directing a sheriff or marshal to seize assets or garnish wages to satisfy the judgment.

A judgment in New York is generally enforceable for many years and can be renewed, so a debtor’s “I can’t pay right now” is rarely the end of the story. Effective enforcement starts with locating assets and acting before they disappear.

New York’s anti-SLAPP protections

A SLAPP — a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation — is a lawsuit filed not to win, but to silence or intimidate someone for speaking out on a matter of public interest. New York broadened its anti-SLAPP protections in 2020. Under New York’s Civil Rights Law (sections 76-a and 70-a), a defendant targeted by such a suit may recover costs and attorney’s fees when the case was started or continued without a substantial basis in fact and law, and may seek further damages when the suit was filed to harass or maliciously suppress protected speech. If you have been sued over a review, a complaint to a government body, or public commentary, these protections may apply.

How litigation usually works, step by step

1. Assessment and demand — We evaluate the claim, confirm the deadline, and often send a demand letter to try to resolve the matter without a lawsuit.
2. Pleadings — If the dispute can’t be settled, a complaint is filed (or answered) to start the case.
3. Discovery — Both sides exchange documents and take testimony to build the factual record.
4. Motions — Many cases are narrowed or decided on motions before trial, such as a motion to dismiss or for summary judgment.
5. Settlement, trial, or arbitration — Most cases resolve by settlement; some proceed to trial or, where a contract requires it, to arbitration.
6. Judgment and enforcement — If you prevail and money is owed, enforcement under CPLR Article 52 turns the judgment into payment.
7. Appeal — Either side may seek review in the Appellate Division.

How much does civil litigation cost?

Civil litigation is typically billed by the hour rather than on a contingency (percentage-of-recovery) basis. The total cost depends on the complexity of the dispute, the volume of evidence, and how far the case goes before it resolves. Many matters settle well before trial, which keeps costs down. At the outset, we discuss the likely path and the fee arrangement so you can make an informed decision. The initial consultation is free.

How VK Law helps

VK Law is a law firm serving clients in California, Nevada, and New York. Our civil litigation work focuses on understanding your goals first — whether that’s a fast, quiet resolution or a firm stand in court — and matching the strategy to the result you actually want. We handle contract and business disputes, fraud claims, judgment enforcement, and related civil matters, and we keep clients informed in plain language at every stage.

If your dispute is one we don’t handle, we’ll tell you early. For New York clients dealing with estate or trust conflicts, our New York trust and estate attorneys may be the better fit. You can also compare our broader litigation work on our California civil litigation hub, which covers focused areas such as judgment enforcement, securities and financial fraud, and class actions.

Talk with a New York civil litigation lawyer

To talk with VK Law about your situation, call 877-780-4727 for a free consultation. We’ll listen to what happened, flag any deadline that may apply, and explain your options in plain English.

Related civil litigation pages

• California Civil Litigation
• Nevada Civil Litigation
• New York Personal Injury
• New York Trust & Estate