Contract disputes
Someone broke the agreement. We work to hold them to it.
Civil litigation
Civil and Business Litigation in Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Strategic representation in contract disputes, business torts, and complex civil matters.
What’s at stake
Civil disputes rarely have a simple answer. Preparation matters, and a party that is ready to litigate is in a stronger position to negotiate. That dynamic plays out in contract disputes, business breakdowns, fraud claims, and partner disagreements. At some point, one party may decide the cost of fighting isn’t worth it and accept an outcome.
We are trial lawyers who handle civil cases. We prepare every case as though it’s going to trial and follow through when the other side doesn’t take the case seriously. That readiness informs every stage of the case, from negotiation to trial.
Civil litigation
Areas within civil litigation
Business litigation
When a vendor, partner, or client decides not to hold up their end, you need someone who will work to hold them to it.
Consumer protection
Car dealers and contractors count on the fact that most people won’t fight back. We’re the ones who do.
Title & boundary disputes
Protecting property rights through skilled dispute resolution.
Federal court representation
Federal court is different from state court; we practice in both regularly. Federal courts have different rules, different standards, and different stakes.
Our approach
Before we file anything, we tell you what we see. The strength of your position, the likely cost and timeline, the realistic range of outcomes, and whether litigation is the right tool for what you’re trying to accomplish. Not every dispute should be litigated. We’ll tell you which ones should.
We use pleadings, motions to dismiss, and discovery disputes to narrow the issues, establish the record we need, and signal from the start that we’re prepared to go the distance.
Civil cases are often won or lost in discovery. We pursue the documents, depositions, and admissions that make the case, and then defend against discovery that’s designed to burden rather than inform. When disputes arise, we litigate them.
Most civil cases resolve before trial. The terms of a resolution depend almost entirely on what each side believes the other will do at trial. We negotiate from the position of a firm that tries cases.
When a case needs to be tried, we try it in Rhode Island Superior Court, Massachusetts Superior Court, U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island, and U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. We don’t refer out; when trial is inevitable, we suit up and go.
What happens next
From the first call to the work itself.
We answer
When you contact us, you are not entering a queue.
What we do. Call 401-621-9700 or request a consultation online. We take your details and check for conflicts of interest before we discuss your matter.
What to prepare. Your contact details, and the names of anyone else involved, such as the other driver, business, or insurer.
We listen
We will give you honest answers about where you stand and what your options are.
What we do. An attorney reviews what happened, the documents you have, and any deadlines that may apply, then talks you through your options.
What to prepare. The contract or agreement, the key emails or letters, and invoices or payment records.
We fight
We prepare every case as though it’s going to trial.
What we do. If you decide to hire the firm, we confirm the engagement and get to work, and you know who is handling your matter.
What to prepare. Keep any new notices, letters, or court papers and send them to us as they arrive.
Every matter is different, so the steps and how long each one takes vary.
Who handles this work
Dylan C. DiLibero, Esq.
Attorney
Criminal defense, state and federal · Personal injury · Civil litigation
View profileClient reviews from Google
I had a great experience working with Dylan. He helped guide me through a situation I was dealing with involving a car dealership, and from the start he was professional, knowledgeable, and very easy to work with. Dylan took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I understood my options every step of the way. Even though the situation didn’t require anything overly complicated, it was clear that Dylan really knows his stuff and genuinely cares about helping his clients. He was responsive, straightforward, and made the entire process much less stressful. I would absolutely recommend Dylan to anyone looking for a reliable and trustworthy attorney. Thanks again for your help!
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Stephensilva SilvaOur go to! We have utilized DiLibero & Assoc for a few years now and highly recommend. They are easy to reach, operate in a timely manner, and in each instance- they guided us and handled our situations surpassing our expectations. So grateful to always know exactly where to turn! And to actually get resolution. On top of that being treated with dignity and respect- definitely minimizes the stress when going through difficult predicaments.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Aimee ZwolinskiTrustworthy, professional, and knowledgeable. DiLibero & Associates took the time to explain everything clearly and always made me feel informed throughout the process. Their honesty, responsiveness, and attention to detail gave me confidence every step of the way. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for legal representation they can trust.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Tony LevadaOne of the best experiences i’ve ever had legally was with this firm! Lisa and Dylan are extremely professional and determined to get you a desirable outcome! They kept me well informed throughout the entire process and were nothing but professional, understanding, and helpful. I will always recommend this firm due to its staff’s dedication to getting you results that matter!
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Elaina MI couldn’t be more impressed with Delibero and Associates. From my very first consultation, they were attentive, professional, and genuinely cared about my case. Dylan took the time to explain every step of the process and kept me informed the entire way. Their expertise and attention to detail gave me complete confidence that I was in excellent hands. What stood out most was their compassion, they treated me like a person, not just a client. The entire team worked efficiently, communicated clearly, and delivered results that exceeded my expectations. If you’re looking for a law office that combines deep legal knowledge with true dedication to their clients, I highly recommend Delibero and Associates. They turned a stressful situation into a positive outcome.
Translated from the reviewer's original English on Google.
Michael MarzilliReviews describe individual clients’ experiences. Every matter is different.
Read all reviews on Google (opens Google Maps in a new tab)
Frequently asked questions
The honest answer depends on what you’re trying to accomplish, what the other side is likely to do, and what the realistic range of outcomes looks like against the cost of getting there. We assess this directly at the first consultation. Not every dispute should go to court.
Federal courts hear cases arising under federal law (28 U.S.C. § 1331) and cases between citizens of different states where the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, not counting interest and costs (diversity jurisdiction, 28 U.S.C. § 1332). State courts, including the District and Superior Courts in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, handle the majority of civil litigation. We practice in both and advise on which forum makes more sense for your specific case.
No, most civil litigation cases don’t go to trial. The majority of civil cases resolve through negotiation, mediation, or settlement before trial. However, the terms of that resolution are heavily influenced by what each side believes the other is willing to do at trial. We prepare every case as though it’s going to trial because that preparation informs how we negotiate as well as how we try the case.
There is no standard timeline. A Rhode Island Superior Court case that goes to trial can take a year or more from filing, and complex cases can take several years, depending on the dispute and the court’s docket. Federal cases vary. Many cases resolve significantly earlier through settlement. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at the outset and keep you informed as the case develops.
In most civil cases in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, each party pays its own attorney’s fees (the American Rule), unless a fee-shifting statute, a contract provision, or bad-faith conduct applies.
Out-of-state defendants can be sued in Rhode Island or Massachusetts courts if they have sufficient contacts with the state through business conducted here, contracts performed here, or injuries caused here. Federal court is sometimes the right forum for cross-state disputes. We assess jurisdiction questions at the first consultation and advise on where to file for the best strategic position.
