Syncora Connect/Playbooks/Civil Litigation

Systematic Civil Litigation Playbook

A phase-by-phase roadmap both clients and attorneys can use to align on scope, deadlines, and deliverables across the life of a civil case.

Client progress0 / 23 (0%)

  1. 1. Intake & Case Assessment

    1–2 weeks · 0/4 done

    Goal: Confirm a viable claim, conflicts, jurisdiction, and engagement scope.

    Your tasks (client)

    Deliverables

    • • Engagement letter
    • • Litigation hold notice
    • • Case theory memo

    Red flags

    • ⚠ Statute about to expire
    • ⚠ Undisclosed prior counsel
    • ⚠ Spoliation risk

  2. 2. Pre-Suit Investigation & Demand

    2–6 weeks · 0/3 done

    Goal: Develop facts, preserve evidence, and attempt resolution before filing.

    Your tasks (client)

    Deliverables

    • • Demand letter
    • • Evidence preservation log
    • • Draft complaint

    Red flags

    • ⚠ Opposing party going dark
    • ⚠ Asset dissipation
    • ⚠ Adverse witness departing

  3. 3. Pleadings & Initial Motions

    1–3 months · 0/3 done

    Goal: Frame the legal claims and survive early dispositive challenges.

    Your tasks (client)

    Deliverables

    • • Filed complaint
    • • Proof of service
    • • Answer or Rule 12 motion

    Red flags

    • ⚠ Missed service window
    • ⚠ Forum non conveniens risk
    • ⚠ Counterclaims filed

  4. 4. Discovery

    3–9 months · 0/3 done

    Goal: Obtain the evidence needed to prove the case and pin down the other side.

    Your tasks (client)

    Deliverables

    • • Document productions
    • • Deposition transcripts
    • • Expert reports

    Red flags

    • ⚠ Missing custodians
    • ⚠ Privilege challenges
    • ⚠ Discovery sanctions

  5. 5. Dispositive Motions & Mediation

    2–4 months · 0/3 done

    Goal: Narrow the case via summary judgment and explore resolution.

    Your tasks (client)

    Deliverables

    • • MSJ briefing
    • • Mediation statement
    • • Settlement term sheet (if reached)

    Red flags

    • ⚠ Bad-faith negotiation
    • ⚠ New evidence at the eleventh hour

  6. 6. Trial Preparation

    1–3 months · 0/3 done

    Goal: Build the trial story, exhibits, and witness order for the factfinder.

    Your tasks (client)

    Deliverables

    • • Pretrial order
    • • Exhibit list
    • • Jury instructions
    • • Trial binder

    Red flags

    • ⚠ Witness unavailability
    • ⚠ Late exhibit objections

  7. 7. Trial

    1–4 weeks · 0/2 done

    Goal: Present the case clearly and preserve the record for appeal.

    Your tasks (client)

    Deliverables

    • • Verdict / judgment
    • • Trial transcript
    • • Preserved record

    Red flags

    • ⚠ Juror misconduct
    • ⚠ Evidentiary surprises

  8. 8. Post-Trial, Collection & Appeal

    3–18 months · 0/2 done

    Goal: Convert the judgment into recovery — or perfect an appeal.

    Your tasks (client)

    Deliverables

    • • Post-trial motions
    • • Notice of appeal
    • • Satisfaction of judgment

    Red flags

    • ⚠ Missed appeal deadline
    • ⚠ Judgment-proof defendant
This playbook is a general framework — not legal advice. Use it with a licensed attorney to align expectations, deadlines, and deliverables across each phase. Want a custom playbook for family law, criminal defense, or M&A? Bring it into a connection →Need the proof-level view? Open the litigation matrix →