WE WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE MAZE OF FEDERAL COURT
EXPERIENCED DENTON COUNTY FEDERAL CIVIL COURT ATTORNEY
The Coleman Law Firm P.C., handles civil litigation and constitutional cases before the federal courts of the United States for decades. Hugh Coleman is licensed to practice before the federal district courts for the Eastern, Western and Northern Districts of Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is a former member of the Local Rules Committee for the U.S. District Court Eastern District and has extensive litigation and trial experience representing local government entities, employers and employees in civil and administrative matters before federal district courts and federal agencies.
WHY WERE YOU SUED IN FEDERAL COURT?
Most lawsuits filed in this country are filed and litigated in the local state courts. If you were served with a complaint filed in a federal court you might wonder why that court is the proper forum for resolution of your dispute. Jurisdiction of the federal court system depends upon they type of lawsuit that has been filed. The two most common basis for federal court jurisdiction include cases involving a federal question or diversity of citizenship:
Federal Question - Federal courts have jurisdiction to handle lawsuits involving a “federal question” regardless of the amount in controversy. A federal question means that the lawsuit will involve the enforcement or interpretation of a federal regulation, federal law or the Constitution of the United States. Many cases involving federal questions include, civil rights claims, employment matters, and any lawsuits brought by the government or its various agencies.
Diversity of Citizenship - When citizens of different states are involved in a lawsuit with a matter in controversy exceeding $75,000.00, the case can, but does not have to be, filed in the federal court where the plaintiff is located. Often, litigants file a lawsuit in their home state (assuming there is jurisdiction) and then serve their out of state defendant with the complaint. When this happens, in many cases the defendant has the option to have the case “removed” to the local federal court. The law allows this to avoid a defendant from having to defend a lawsuit in a foreign state in which they are not residents. Presumably, the local federal court system is more impartial than the local state court judges. If you have been served with or have notice of a lawsuit filed against you in an other state, you have a limited time to seek a removal of the lawsuit to the federal system so it is imperative that you contact a federal court lawyer as soon as possible when this happens.
If you have been served with a federal lawsuit, do not delay in calling the Coleman Law Firm for assistance!
