A civil litigation lawyer handles disputes over contracts, property and what you are owed, through trial and appeal. In Columbus, cases are usually filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas or the Southern District of Ohio. Ohio generally allows 6 years to sue on a written contract (R.C. 2305.06) and 4 years on an oral one (R.C. 2305.07).
This page provides general information, not legal advice about your matter. Contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Built for trial. Ready to settle on your terms.
Litigation is leverage. We build the evidence, the witnesses and the deadlines into a case the other side has to answer.
Most civil cases end without a verdict. That is no excuse for a thin file. A settlement should be a choice you make from strength, not a discount you accept because nobody was ready.
Civil lawsuits we take across Central Ohio
Each practice has its own page and its own clock. Start with the one that matches what happened.
- Divorce and family law and high-net-worth divorce: individual spouses in contested cases.
- Employment discrimination: employees facing discrimination, retaliation and sexual harassment at work.
- Civil rights and suing the government in Ohio: claims against public power.
- Personal injury: people hurt by someone else’s negligence, and families bringing a wrongful death claim.
- Business litigation and construction disputes: contract, partner, payment and owner-side building claims.
- Probate litigation: contested wills and fiduciaries.
- Sexual abuse: civil claims for survivors, including cases against a school, church or team.
- Criminal defense and civil appeals round out the practice.
What does a civil litigation lawyer do?
Jeckering & Associates, LLC is a Columbus civil litigation firm that files in Ohio common pleas courts and federal court in Columbus (S.D. Ohio), from offices at 10 N High St, Suite 301, Columbus, OH 43215, and 16 S Main St, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044.
Investigation and a demand. A complaint and service. Motions. Discovery that forces documents and sworn answers. Summary judgment. Trial when the file is ready. An appeal when a final order needs review. The pressure on the other side comes from the record, not from a stern letter.
Franklin County or federal court in Columbus?
Franklin County Common Pleas and the Southern District of Ohio run on different rules, schedules and jury pools. We pick the forum from the parties, the claims and the relief before the complaint is filed, because the choice is hard to undo.
How long do you have to sue in Ohio?
Ohio clocks differ by claim. Bodily injury is generally 2 years (R.C. 2305.10(A)). Written contracts are generally 6 years and oral contracts generally 4. Exceptions exist, so have the facts reviewed before you assume you have time or assume you are too late.
Keep the emails, contracts, photos, texts and records. Do not delete accounts or clean up a phone. If a public body holds the video or the reports, ask early about a public-records request.
Evidence at risk? Call 614-944-5151 while the record can still be built.
Straight answers before you hire us
At the first meeting, we tell you what the evidence proves, who can be made to answer for it and what the fight ahead will look like. Then we fight for your rights with a file built for trial, because that is what makes the other side take you seriously.
How we decide to take a case
We look for a clear theory of liability, a defendant who can answer for it, and a realistic path to recovery or accountability. When a case should not be filed, we say so. When another practice page, or another firm, fits better, we say that too.
Why clients hire us
- We fight for your rights from two offices, Columbus and Mechanicsburg.
- We build your file for trial from the start, so the other side weighs the case against a verdict.
- We keep related fights under one roof, so one team runs the strategy when a dispute crosses into employment, government claims, divorce or an appeal.
- We tell you plainly whether to sue, including when the answer is no.
The Strauss survivors page explains our role in the Ohio State cases. Millions of dollars recovered on behalf of our clients. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
FAQ
What if the other side has a bigger legal team?
That is most of our cases. We level the playing field by locking down the evidence and the deadlines from day one, so a bigger legal team cannot simply wait you out.
What kinds of civil cases does a Columbus litigation firm typically handle?
We handle contract and business disputes, construction claims for owners, employment cases for employees, civil rights and government claims, personal injury, contested divorce, probate litigation, sexual-abuse civil claims and civil appeals.
Will my case go to trial?
Probably not, since most civil cases settle. We still prepare as if it will, because a trial-ready file is what produces a serious offer.
How long does a civil lawsuit take in Franklin County?
Anywhere from months to years. The number of parties, the amount of discovery and the court’s docket drive the timeline, so a fixed number quoted online is a guess.
What should I bring to a first consultation?
Bring the key documents, a short timeline and any deadline you know about. Contracts, letters, emails, photos and court papers help us give you a straight answer faster.
Call our Columbus or Mechanicsburg office
Call Columbus at 614-944-5151 or Mechanicsburg at 937-896-2222, or tell us what happened. Bring the documents and the date you think the clock started. We go up against armies of lawyers and monied interests—and we fight to win. Our main office is the Columbus law office; see firm facts and Bradley Jeckering.
Related
- Civil appeal: first steps
- Before filing a contract claim
- Contractor disputes: evidence and notice
- Civil rights: who can you sue
Jeckering & Associates, LLC · Columbus office: 10 N High St, Suite 301, Columbus, OH 43215 · 614-944-5151 · Mechanicsburg office: 16 S Main St, Mechanicsburg, OH 43044 · 937-896-2222 · staff@centralohiolegal.com · Hours Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:30 PM