When You’re in a Dispute, You Need Someone Who Knows How to Fight
Legal disputes have a way of showing up when you least expect them. Maybe a contractor walked off a job and left your project half-finished. Maybe a car you bought turned out to be a lemon. Maybe a business partner isn’t holding up their end of an agreement, or a real estate deal went sideways and someone isn’t telling the full story. Whatever brought you here, the outcome of a civil dispute can have real and lasting consequences for your finances, your property, your business, and your peace of mind.
That’s why who you hire to represent you matters. Litigation is not just paperwork and procedure. It requires someone who understands the law, knows the courts, and is genuinely willing to go to the mat for you. At Boevingloh & Pliakos, we are first and foremost a litigation firm. We don’t just advise. We fight. We’ve spent over 20 years building cases, filing motions, going to hearings, and taking disputes all the way to trial when that’s what it takes.
Our general litigation practice covers a wide range of civil matters, from construction and real estate disputes to business conflicts, lemon law claims, personal injury cases, and professional malpractice. We represent individuals, families, and businesses across Missouri, and we bring the same dedication to every case regardless of its size or complexity.
If you’re in the middle of a dispute or you can see one coming, the earlier you get legal counsel involved the better. Call us for a free consultation. We’ll listen to what’s happening, give you an honest assessment of your options, and tell you what we think the best path forward looks like.
Key Takeaways
- Boevingloh & Pliakos is a litigation firm with over 20 years of experience handling civil disputes in Missouri courts.
- Our general litigation practice covers construction, real estate, business disputes, lemon law, personal injury, and professional malpractice.
- We represent individuals, families, and businesses and tailor our approach to the specific facts and goals of each case.
- Early legal involvement usually leads to better outcomes. Contact us as soon as a dispute arises, not after it escalates.
- All consultations are free, and many cases are handled on flat or contingent fees.
What Is General Civil Litigation?
Civil litigation is the process of resolving legal disputes between parties through the court system. Unlike criminal cases, civil litigation typically involves disputes over money, property, contracts, or legal duties. One party claims another has caused them harm or failed to meet a legal obligation, and the court decides who is right and what remedy is appropriate.
General litigation means we don’t limit ourselves to a single narrow area. We handle a broad range of civil matters, and we approach each one as experienced trial attorneys who know how to build a case, manage the discovery process, work with opposing counsel, and present arguments persuasively to a judge or jury. Whether your case settles early or goes all the way to trial, we prepare every case as though trial is the destination.
Why Litigation Experience Matters
Not every attorney who handles legal disputes has real courtroom experience. Many cases settle, and attorneys who rarely go to trial sometimes lack the skills and instincts that come from actually trying cases. At Boevingloh & Pliakos, we’ve tried cases in courts across Missouri. We know the judges, we know the process, and we know how to apply pressure at the right moments to move a case toward the best possible resolution for our clients.
Civil Litigation Areas We Handle in Missouri
Our general litigation practice covers the following areas. If your situation doesn’t fit neatly into one category, call us anyway. Civil disputes are often more complex than they appear on the surface, and we’re glad to take a look.
Construction Litigation
Construction disputes are among the most financially damaging civil cases a property owner or contractor can face. We handle cases involving construction defects, breach of contract, payment disputes, mechanic’s liens, and contractor abandonment. Whether you’re a homeowner dealing with shoddy workmanship or a contractor pursuing payment for work performed, we understand the legal and practical realities of construction litigation in Missouri.
Real Estate Litigation
Real estate transactions involve significant money and often significant disagreements. We handle cases involving failure to disclose material defects, boundary and easement disputes, restrictive covenant violations, condemnation and eminent domain matters, and disputes between buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants. When a real estate deal goes wrong, the financial consequences can be severe, and having experienced litigation counsel makes a real difference.
Business and Commercial Litigation
Business disputes can threaten everything you’ve built. We handle commercial contract disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, partnership and shareholder conflicts, non-compete and non-disclosure agreement enforcement, and other business-related civil matters. We represent both plaintiffs and defendants in commercial cases, and we work to protect our clients’ interests efficiently so that the cost of litigation doesn’t outweigh the outcome.
Lemon Law Claims
Missouri’s lemon law protects consumers who purchase or lease a new vehicle that turns out to have a substantial defect the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts. If your new vehicle has been in the shop repeatedly for the same problem, or has been out of service for an extended period, you may have a lemon law claim. We handle these cases for Missouri consumers and work to recover refunds, replacements, or compensation on their behalf. In many lemon law cases, the manufacturer is required to pay your attorney fees if you prevail, which makes pursuing a claim financially viable even when the vehicle’s value seems modest.
Personal Injury
When someone else’s negligence causes you harm, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries, your medical bills, lost income, and the impact on your quality of life. We handle personal injury cases involving serious injuries and wrongful death in Missouri. Our litigation background means we’re prepared to take these cases to trial if the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation, and that willingness to fight typically produces better settlements than simply hoping the other side will do the right thing on their own.
Professional Malpractice
When a professional, whether a doctor, attorney, accountant, or other licensed practitioner, fails to meet the standard of care expected in their field and causes harm as a result, that may be grounds for a malpractice claim. These cases require a thorough understanding of both the legal standards and the professional standards applicable to the defendant’s field. We evaluate professional malpractice cases carefully and pursue them when the facts and the law support a viable claim.
How We Approach Civil Litigation Cases
Every civil dispute is different. The facts, the parties, the stakes, and the legal theories vary from case to case. What doesn’t vary is how we approach our work. We start by listening carefully, understanding what happened and what outcome matters most to you. Then we evaluate the legal landscape honestly, including the strengths and weaknesses of your position. We don’t tell clients what they want to hear if the situation calls for a different conversation.
Building Leverage From the Start
The best litigation outcomes often come not from what happens at trial but from the leverage built during the pretrial process. Filing the right motions, asking the right discovery questions, and demonstrating a genuine willingness to take a case all the way to a verdict changes how the other side behaves. We build cases with that in mind from day one.
Keeping You Informed
Litigation can be a long process, and we know that uncertainty is one of the most stressful parts. We keep our clients informed at every stage, explain what’s happening and why, and make sure you understand your options before any significant decisions are made. You are always the one making the final call. Our job is to make sure you have the information and counsel you need to make it well.
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How Do Fees Work for General Litigation Cases?
Fee arrangements in civil litigation vary depending on the type of case. Some cases are handled on a contingency basis, meaning we take a percentage of the recovery and you pay nothing upfront if we don’t win. This is common in personal injury and lemon law cases. Other cases are handled on flat fees or hourly arrangements depending on the complexity and the nature of the dispute.
We discuss fees transparently at the outset so there are no surprises. All consultations are free. If we can handle your case on a contingency or flat fee basis, we’ll tell you upfront. If the nature of your case calls for a different arrangement, we’ll explain why and what the cost structure will look like before you make any commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions About General Litigation in Missouri
Q. How do I know if my dispute is worth pursuing legally?
That’s exactly what a free consultation is for. We look at the facts, the applicable law, and the likely costs and benefits of pursuing the case. Sometimes the answer is that litigation makes strong sense. Other times there are faster or less expensive ways to resolve the dispute. We’ll give you an honest assessment either way.
Q. How long does a civil lawsuit take in Missouri?
It depends significantly on the type of case and whether it settles or goes to trial. Simple disputes can resolve in a few months. More complex commercial or construction cases may take a year or more. Cases that go to trial take longer still. We’ll give you a realistic timeline once we understand the specifics of your situation.
Q. What is the difference between a civil case and a criminal case?
In a criminal case, the government charges someone with violating a criminal law, and the consequences include fines or imprisonment. In a civil case, one private party sues another for money damages or other relief. Civil litigation involves disputes over contracts, property, personal injury, and similar matters. You are not at risk of jail time in a civil lawsuit, though judgments against you can affect your finances and assets.
Q. What is a lemon law claim and do I qualify?
Missouri’s lemon law applies to new vehicles that have a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. Generally, if the same problem has been repaired three or more times without success, or if the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more days during the first year or warranty period, you may qualify. Call us to review the specifics of your situation.
Q. Can I sue a contractor who did bad work on my home?
Yes. If a contractor performed defective work, abandoned a project, or breached the terms of your contract, you may have grounds for a construction litigation claim. The strength of your case depends on the contract terms, the nature of the defect, and the documentation you have. We’ll review the situation and tell you what we think.
Q. What should I do if a business partner isn’t holding up their end of the agreement?
Document everything first. Preserve emails, text messages, financial records, and any written agreements. Then contact us. Business disputes often have contractual remedies, and the strength of your position depends heavily on what was agreed to and what can be proven. Early legal involvement can sometimes resolve the dispute without litigation. When it can’t, we’re prepared to take it to court.
Q. Do I need to go to court in a civil case?
Not necessarily. A large percentage of civil cases settle before trial. However, being prepared to go to court is essential to reaching a good settlement, because the other side will take you more seriously if they know you have capable counsel willing to try the case. We prepare every case as though trial is possible, which typically produces better outcomes at every stage.
Q. How much does it cost to hire Boevingloh & Pliakos for a civil dispute?
It depends on the type of case. Personal injury and lemon law cases are often handled on contingency, meaning no upfront cost to you. Other cases may involve flat fees or other arrangements. All consultations are free. We explain the fee structure clearly before you make any commitment so you know exactly what to expect.
Related Practice Areas
Depending on your situation, one or more of our other practice areas may also be relevant. We’re happy to look at the full picture.
If your dispute involves a debt collector or a debt buyer who acted illegally, our consumer debt defense services may be the right starting point.
If a debt collector violated your rights under federal consumer protection law, we handle FDCPA claims that may entitle you to damages at no upfront cost.
If you were in a car accident in Missouri and need help with your injury claim, see how we handle auto accident cases.
For an overview of how we protect Missouri consumers across all of our practice areas, visit our debt defense practice overview.
Ready To Talk About Your Situation?
If you’re dealing with a civil dispute of any kind, the most important thing you can do right now is get informed. Understanding your legal options, what the process looks like, and what a realistic outcome might be will help you make better decisions, whether that means negotiating, filing suit, or taking a different approach entirely.
We offer free consultations for civil litigation matters. There’s no pressure and no obligation. You’ll talk to someone who has handled these cases in Missouri courts for over 20 years and who will give you a straight answer about where you stand. If we think you have a strong case, we’ll tell you. If the facts suggest a different path, we’ll tell you that too.
Boevingloh & Pliakos is a litigation firm at its core. We pride ourselves on actually answering the phone and speaking directly with the people who hire us. When you call, you won’t be handed off to a paralegal or asked to fill out a form before anyone will talk to you. You’ll get a real conversation with someone who knows the law and can help you figure out what to do next.
Many of our general litigation cases are handled on flat or contingent fees, so cost shouldn’t be the reason you don’t find out whether you have a viable claim. Call us and let’s talk through it.
Reach us at 314.989.1492 or toll free at 1.800.989.1492. Our office is located in Clayton, just steps from the courthouse. You can also reach us through the contact form on this site. We serve clients across Missouri and are ready to help.
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