Legal Update: Where the Lawsuits Are

Information Today, Vol. 24, No. 1, p. 1, 2007

U. of Pittsburgh Legal Studies Research Paper Series

5 Pages Posted: 9 Jul 2009

Abstract

The legal drama has always been a popular television staple. From Perry Mason to L.A. Law to Boston Legal these shows feature fast-moving, hard driving lawyers who resolve their clients’ legal challenges in the space of an hour.

Most of us know that the legal process takes more than an hour. But even real programming like Court TV or the O.J. Simpson trials don’t show the legal process at its most complex. While the Simpson trial went on for several weeks, there was a fairly clear-cut beginning (the Bronco chase), middle (Johnny Cochran and Judge Ito) and end (acquittal), over a fairly limited time frame of a few months.

But lawsuits involving business or commercial interests are often conducted not over a period of months, but over a period of years. All three stages: beginning, middle and end, are often very protracted. The parties to the lawsuit generally expect that kind of time-frame. In some cases, they may even welcome it, or at least strategically plan for it. But for those outside of the lawsuit whose interests may be affected by the outcome, the wait can become confusing and frustrating.

Keywords: lawsuits, legal process, business interests, commercial interests, security, copyright infringement, Google Book Search, data breaches, Department of Veteran Affairs, class action lawsuits, digital lawsuits, negligence

Suggested Citation

Pike, George H., Legal Update: Where the Lawsuits Are. Information Today, Vol. 24, No. 1, p. 1, 2007, U. of Pittsburgh Legal Studies Research Paper Series , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1431448

George H. Pike (Contact Author)

Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law ( email )

375 E. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60611
United States
312-503-0295 (Phone)
312-503-9230 (Fax)

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