Brenda Linder has been a successful civil litigation and trial attorney in the Fresno area for seventeen years
Civil litigation encompasses a wide-array of legal areas and issues.
Ms. Linder has diligently and successfully litigated and tried both bench and jury trials. Her experience and cases have included breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, defamation http://brendalinder.com/blog/, wrongful termination, real estate fraud, adverse possession, boundary disputes, business disputes and dissolution, employment law, restraining orders and much more.
THE PARTNERSHIP
Ms. Linder strives to form a partnership between herself and her client. Although many cases can be resolved prior to trial, some cases cannot. Your attorney must be fully prepared to try the case, to “go the distance.”
As a Judicial Settlement Officer at court, Ms. Linder has seen too many attorneys — weeks before trial — who are ill-prepared to proceed; who never intended to see the case through to trial. Your attorney earns your trust and confidence from the first meeting. Ask plenty of questions and make sure your attorney answers your questions http://brendalinder.com/choosing-attorney/. The right attorney will tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear. Brenda Linder Law does not file complaints with the hope that it will “just settle” down the road. Ms. Linder insures that every case she files in court, is a case she is willing and prepared to try.
GOOD SERVICE IS THE BEST MARKETING STRATEGY
Recently, Brenda recalled, “When I was young, my father, an independent business owner, told me the best advertisement is a happy customer.” Although no attorney can guarantee the outcome of a trial, the best advertisement for an attorney is to treat a client with respect, compassion and honesty, while providing sound legal guidance.
In part, Ms. Linder opened her own office because she saw how large firms did not treat their clients well; they saw clients as a burden instead of a customer. You need an attorney who is responsive and who takes the time to answer your questions.
Obviously, there are some times when an attorney is not immediately available. But, you deserve to be able to speak with your attorney, and not be handed off to an assistant or support staff every time you call. Individuals and small business owners need to know their attorney is working for them, not that they are being brushed off after the firm cashes the check.
STORIES FROM THE COURTROOM
- My first jury trial was scheduled about 9 weeks after I was licensed. The case had been passed around between four other attorneys before it was handed to me. Being an effective trial attorney requires one to be able to think quickly on their feet, to be aware of everyone in the room at once. It can be exhausting. The trial was out of town. With no trial experience I traveled to another county and began my real training as a lawyer, in the trenches. I rarely ate and was usually up all night preparing for the next day. Opposing counsel had twenty-five years experience on me, and was from the same firm that most of the local judges came from. I learned something new every day, but as the opposing counsel said later, “You showed up for your client every hour of every day, no matter what I threw at you.” I remember stumbling down the court house hallway into the courtroom to hear the jury’s verdict. It was a sweet victory.
- I was surprised when a criminal defense lawyer friend called me on a Friday evening, “Hey, I have a man in my office who is already in trial and really needs help,” is how I remember it starting. I had never handled a criminal case. The guy was representing himself. After reminding my friend that I do not practice criminal law, I agreed to meet with the man the next day. We looked over everything he had and asked lots of questions. I believed he had an affirmative defense available to him, which he had not yet presented. It was Easter weekend, court resumed on Tuesday. The state was one day from resting its case, by my estimate. The defendant would present his defense next. On Tuesday morning I walked in with the defendant to complete the trial, after cramming in criminal procedure for two days. My intention was to “assist and advise” the defendant as he continued to represent himself. However, the judge saw it differently, “That means you can not speak during trial, Ms. Linder. And, I don’t think that will work for either of us.” Five minutes later I was cross-examining the state’s main witness, an eight year veteran law enforcement officer. At the end of the week the case went to the jury. I had never had to wait overnight for a civil verdict. It was excruciating and reminded me why I decided not to practice criminal defense. In the end, the jury was hung on the two felonies. The District Attorney’s office decided not to retry on those counts. My client went home. I probably slept for a week.
