Motions and Other Limited Projects
Motions, pleadings, and discovery are routine parts of any case in court, and lawyers who handle a case from start to finish do them as a matter of course. Sometimes, though, a piece of a case calls for a separate project: a complex or high-stakes motion, a deadline that outpaces a small office’s capacity, or a question that benefits from a fresh perspective. We take on defined projects like these, for law firms and for parties to a lawsuit, under a limited-scope arrangement.
How it works. We agree in writing on what we will do, such as drafting the papers, reviewing and strengthening your draft, preparing a response or reply, or arguing a motion, and on what we will not do. Our role ends when the defined work is finished, unless we agree otherwise. We discuss scope and fees before we begin.
Trial-court motions. These include motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, motions to reargue or renew, post-trial motions, and motions addressed to discovery and evidence.
Appellate motions. These include motions for leave to appeal, motions to stay enforcement of a judgment or order pending appeal, motions to extend time, and motions directed to the record or the briefing schedule.
Pleadings and discovery. We can draft or review complaints, answers, counterclaims, and replies. We can also prepare or review discovery requests, such as interrogatories, document requests, and requests to admit, and the responses and objections to them.
For law firms. If you are in a small office, or a case has outgrown your available time, we can draft the papers, review yours, or handle the project from start to finish while you continue to represent your client.
For parties to a lawsuit. If you are represented, we can work with your lawyer, with their agreement, on a particular motion or document. If you are not represented, a limited-scope engagement may be possible for a defined task, such as a motion or discovery responses. We do not take over your case, and you remain responsible for everything outside the agreed scope. Courts differ on how limited help with court papers must be handled, and we will discuss the rules that apply to you before we begin.
Time matters. Many motions, pleadings, and discovery responses are tied to short deadlines. If you are facing one, contact us promptly and have the relevant papers, the court’s orders, and the schedule ready.
For research, memoranda, or editing that is not tied to a particular filing, see our Legal Research and Writing page.
We use AI tools to work efficiently and, whenever confidential client information is involved, only tools designed to protect it. Learn more about how we use technology.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information, not legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney–client relationship; representation begins only if we both agree to it, in writing, and covers only the work we agree to do. We cannot guarantee any result.
Contact the Rosenhouse Law Office at our Rochester, New York, or Northbrook, Illinois, office to discuss your project.
