Being sued or facing a business dispute in Plano?
When your business or you personally are sued, the early decisions matter most — the answer deadline, preserving evidence, and whether to fight, settle, or move to dismiss. A Plano litigation defense lawyer who tries commercial cases in Collin County can protect you from costly mistakes in the first weeks.
Civil litigation defense is its own discipline: contract disputes, business torts, partnership and shareholder fights, and commercial claims defended in state and federal court. Below are Plano and immediate Dallas-area firms that appear consistently across Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, Expertise.com, and FindLaw, with verifiable commercial-litigation focus. Most handle the full arc of a case — from the demand letter through trial — and several have trial lawyers recognized by their peers.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed peer rankings (Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell), bar recognition, published focus areas, and directory listings across Justia, Avvo, Expertise.com, and FindLaw. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Complex commercial litigation, business disputes, mediation
A boutique led by Paul Wickes, who holds Martindale-Hubbell's AV Preeminent rating and more than 30 years of experience, delivering big-firm-caliber commercial litigation with individualized service.
Practice focus: Business and commercial litigation, contract disputes, business defamation, IP
A long-established Plano firm whose principal, Richard L. Armstrong, holds an AV peer-review rating and served as president of the Plano Bar Association, concentrating on commercial litigation and agreement enforcement.
Practice focus: Business and commercial litigation, fiduciary duty, partnership and shareholder disputes
A commercial-litigation boutique whose founding partners average about two decades of Texas business-litigation experience, handling business torts, fiduciary-duty claims, and ownership disputes.
Practice focus: Complex commercial litigation, construction law, real-estate disputes
A Texas firm founded in 1993 whose founder and partners have been named Texas Super Lawyers, focusing on complex commercial and construction-industry litigation for businesses across North Texas.
Practice focus: Business and commercial litigation, banking and finance disputes, creditors' rights
Established in 1981 and holding an AV Preeminent rating, the firm defends banks, dealerships, and corporations in business and commercial litigation, with attorneys selected to Super Lawyers.
Practice focus: Business litigation, shareholder and partnership disputes, construction, employment
An AV Preeminent-rated business, litigation, and transactional firm at the corner of Plano, Allen, McKinney, and Frisco, with multiple attorneys named Texas Super Lawyers.
Practice focus: Business and commercial litigation, commercial real estate, arbitration
A full-service business firm whose litigation section regularly defends businesses and individuals in state and federal court and arbitration across a range of commercial disputes.
Practice focus: Complex business litigation, breach of contract and fiduciary duty, business torts
Founded in 1994 and led by Gregory B. Fell, the firm handles complex commercial and business-tort litigation for the Plano and North Texas region with a trial-ready approach.
Practice focus: Civil and business litigation, construction law, commercial disputes
A Plano litigation firm whose civil department is led by an attorney with nearly three decades of experience in business litigation and construction law, handling disputes in state and federal court.
Practice focus: Civil and business litigation, breach of contract, partnership and real-estate disputes
A California- and Texas-licensed litigation firm whose Plano civil litigators represent businesses from start-ups to large corporations in contract, warranty, and partnership disputes.
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted litigation defense attorneys in Plano. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Match the firm to the stakes and the forum. A modest contract dispute may be handled efficiently by a boutique that knows the Collin County courts. A bet-the-company case, a fight with investors, or a federal claim needs a firm with genuine trial depth and the resources to handle aggressive discovery.
Ask who will actually try the case if it goes to trial, how they staff matters to control cost, and whether they recommend early mediation. The best litigators tell you candidly when fighting is worth it and when settling is the smarter business decision — your goal is the outcome, not the fight.
The firms above are a starting point, not a verdict. The right lawyer for you depends on your facts, your budget, and how you want to be treated. Use these five signals to compare them.
Relevant, recent experience. “We handle everything” is a weakness, not a strength. You want a lawyer who works litigation defense matters in Plano week in and week out, not one who takes them occasionally between unrelated cases. Recent, repeated experience with situations like yours is the single best predictor of a good outcome.
Straight talk about your case. A good lawyer tells you what is strong and what is weak in your situation at the first meeting, not just what you want to hear. If everything sounds easy and the outcome sounds guaranteed, be skeptical — real matters have real risks, and an honest lawyer names them.
Communication you can live with. Most complaints about lawyers are not about losing — they are about silence. Ask who returns your calls, how fast, and whether you will reach the actual attorney or only a screener. Set that expectation before you sign, because it rarely improves later.
Fees in writing, in plain English. You should leave the first meeting knowing exactly what you will pay, what it covers, and what could cost extra. A clear written fee agreement is a sign of a well-run practice; a vague “don't worry about it” is a sign to keep looking.
Local knowledge. The lawyer who works in Plano regularly knows how local matters tend to break, which resolutions are realistic, and who the other players are. That practical knowledge is hard to fake and easy to verify — just ask.
A civil lawsuit in Plano typically runs through the Collin County District Courts, with Plano as the county seat, or in federal court for certain claims. Once you are served, the clock starts — you have a limited window to file an answer, and missing it risks a default judgment. The first job of a defense lawyer is to protect that deadline and preserve evidence.
From there the case moves through pleadings, discovery (document exchange and depositions), and motions, with most disputes resolving through negotiation or mediation before trial. Texas civil procedure and the local Collin County rules shape the timeline, which commonly runs from several months to well over a year. A good litigator manages cost along the way and pushes for the resolution that makes business sense.
Litigation defense is almost always billed hourly. In the Plano–Dallas market, commercial litigators commonly charge about $300 to $600 an hour depending on experience and firm, with a retainer up front. Boutiques are often more cost-efficient than large firms for the same quality of work.
Total cost depends almost entirely on how hard the case is fought. A matter that settles early after a strong motion may run a few thousand to low five figures; a case that goes through full discovery and trial can run well into five or six figures. The biggest cost driver is the other side's aggressiveness and how much is at stake — not the hourly rate alone. A good litigator gives you a budget and a realistic strategy at the first meeting.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees how your litigation defense matter will end before reviewing your file, walk away.
The disappearing senior lawyer. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior runs the file unsupervised. Ask in writing who your day-to-day lawyer will be.
No verifiable track record. “We have handled thousands of cases” is marketing. Real evidence is named results, peer recognition such as Super Lawyers or Martindale-Hubbell ratings, and a clean record with the state bar.
Pressure to sign immediately. A reputable firm gives you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a sign of a volume mill, not a careful practice.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about the cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate firm puts the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges in writing.
Most firms on this list offer a free or low-cost consultation. Use it, take notes, and compare at least two firms before you sign.
Collin County courts. Plano sits in Collin County, and most local civil suits run through its district courts. A lawyer who appears there regularly knows the judges, the local rules, and how cases tend to move — practical knowledge that affects strategy and cost.
A business-heavy market. Plano's concentration of corporate headquarters and technology and finance companies means many disputes involve contracts, non-competes, trade secrets, and partnership or shareholder conflicts. Several area firms focus squarely on this kind of commercial litigation.
Deadlines are unforgiving. Once you are served in Texas, the deadline to answer is short, and Texas has a four-year statute of limitations for most contract claims. Getting a defense lawyer involved immediately is the single best thing you can do.
If you are dealing with a litigation defense matter in Plano right now, a few moves protect you while you take the time to choose the right lawyer.
Write down the timeline. Put the dates, names, and what was said on paper while it is fresh. Memories fade and details that feel obvious today are easy to lose in a month, and a clear timeline makes your first consultation far more productive.
Save everything. Keep the documents, emails, text messages, and records connected to your situation in one place. The strength of a matter often comes down to what you can show, not just what you can say.
Do not sign or agree to anything under pressure. Whether it is the other side, an agency, or a fast-talking intake person, you are allowed to say you want to speak with your own lawyer first. A reputable Plano firm respects that; anyone who does not is telling you something.
Book two consultations. Most firms above offer a free or low-cost first meeting. Talk to at least two before you commit, and choose the lawyer who explains your options clearly and answers your questions without rushing you.
Tell us what is going on. We'll match you with vetted Litigation Defense firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
Don't ignore it. You have a limited time to file an answer, and missing the deadline risks a default judgment. Contact a litigation defense lawyer immediately and preserve all related documents and communications.
Most bill hourly, commonly $300 to $600 an hour with a retainer. Total cost depends on how hard the case is fought — an early settlement is far cheaper than full discovery and trial.
It depends on the strength of the claims, the cost of fighting, and what's at stake. A good litigator gives you an honest cost-benefit analysis rather than assuming you should always fight.
Texas civil cases commonly run from several months to well over a year, depending on complexity, discovery, and the court's calendar in Collin County. Many resolve through mediation before trial.
It's short — generally you must file an answer by the Monday after 20 days from service in Texas state court. The exact deadline depends on the case, which is why fast action matters.
Generally four years for most written contract claims, though other claims have different periods. A lawyer can tell you whether a claim against or by you is time-barred.
Sometimes — through motions to dismiss or for summary judgment when the claims are legally deficient. Whether that's possible depends on the specific facts and pleadings.
Most local business disputes are in the Collin County District Courts; certain claims (federal law, or parties in different states above a threshold) go to federal court. The forum affects strategy and timeline.
Often yes, if the case proceeds through discovery. Your lawyer prepares you so you understand the process and answer accurately and carefully.
Ask who would actually try your case, how they control cost, and whether they recommend early mediation. Compare approaches and talk to at least two before you decide.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Compare credentials, then call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one how many matters like yours they have handled in Plano in the last three years. The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team