Civil Litigation
DiLibero & Associates is a Providence law firm representing individuals and businesses in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut civil litigation, including contract disputes and business litigation.
Keep the complete summons and complaint, record when and how they arrived, and identify any listed hearing or response date. Contact counsel promptly; sending an inquiry does not extend a court deadline.
Start with the agreement, what went wrong, and what outcome you need. We assess the evidence, legal basis, costs, and available options before recommending a lawsuit.
The most useful starting records depend on the disagreement. Choose a guide below and bring the documents you already have to an initial consultation.
A civil or business dispute may involve an unpaid invoice, a broken contract, an ownership disagreement, or allegations about how a business was managed. We start with the agreement, the sequence of events, the payments and losses in dispute, and what you need to happen next. If a lawsuit is already pending, bring the court papers and any known response or hearing date.
For individuals and businesses in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Connecticut, we assess the records, discuss negotiation and litigation options, and identify the work the matter would require. Your goal may be payment, resolution of a business relationship, or a defense to a claim against you. We discuss the scope of representation and fees before you decide whether to hire the firm.
Civil Litigation
Someone broke the agreement. We work to hold them to it.
When a vendor, partner, or client decides not to hold up their end, you need someone who will work to hold them to it.
Car dealers and contractors count on the fact that most people won’t fight back. We’re the ones who do.
Federal court is different from state court; we practice in both regularly. Federal courts have different rules, different standards, and different stakes.
A demand letter, a complaint, and a court order call for different responses. We first identify the court, the claims, the people or entities involved, and what has already been served. The stages below help explain the work between an initial consultation and a resolution.
An answer responds to the allegations; a motion asks the court to decide a legal issue. Some objections can be lost if they are not raised properly. Rhode Island Superior Court generally requires an answer within 20 days after service, with different timing for a waiver of service, certain motions, or a court order. Massachusetts Rule 12 generally gives 20 days for a responsive pleading unless the court orders otherwise. Identify the applicable rule before calculating a deadline.
Defending a lawsuit and bringing your own claim are separate decisions. Tell counsel if the plaintiff also owes you money or caused a related loss. A claim arising from the same transaction may need to be raised as a counterclaim in the existing case. Bring the full agreement and communications, including records that may support the other side.
Discovery is the formal exchange of relevant evidence through documents, written questions, and testimony. We connect each request to the disputed issues and review privilege and objections before production. A motion to dismiss tests the legal sufficiency of a claim; a summary judgment motion asks whether a trial is needed to resolve material factual disputes. Filing either motion does not guarantee that a case ends.
A settlement can address payment, timing, releases, and future obligations. Mediation provides a structured opportunity to negotiate with a neutral person. If the parties do not resolve the case and the claims survive pretrial rulings, trial may be necessary. We discuss the evidence, litigation costs, and practical value of the proposed terms with you.
An ongoing disclosure of confidential business information, a threatened interference with property, or another immediate harm may call for review of temporary court relief. An injunction asks the court to require or stop particular conduct; it differs from a demand for money damages. Relief is subject to legal requirements and evidence, and an emergency request is not automatically granted.
Rhode Island Superior Court Rule 65 requires notice for a preliminary injunction. A temporary restraining order without notice has additional requirements, including specific facts showing immediate and irreparable harm and counsel’s written certification about notice. Tell us what is happening, when it may happen, and what documents support the urgency. For business information or ownership issues, see business-dispute decisions.
Read Rhode Island Superior Court Rule 65. Other courts apply their own rules and orders.
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 state and federal courts in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Jersey. We don’t refer out; when trial is inevitable, we suit up and go.
From the first call to the work itself.
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, the names of the people and businesses involved, the court if a case is pending, and any known response or hearing date.
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 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.
Attorney
Criminal defense, state and federal · Personal injury · Civil litigation
View profileConnecticut state bar; New Jersey state bar and U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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 MarzilliTestimonials reflect individual experiences. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Reviews describe individual clients’ experiences. Every matter is different.
Read all reviews on Google (opens Google Maps in a new tab)
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 in which every plaintiff is a citizen of a different state from every defendant and 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.
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