O'Brien & Ulibarri, P.C., has systems and methods in place to insure cost effective and competent representation of its clients.

The threshold goal and strategy of the firm is to accurately evaluate cases as quickly as possible so that settlement can either be achieved or ruled out before expensive discovery and trial preparation have occurred. At the inception of a new file, all immediately available information is accumulated and analyzed.

For plaintiff's cases, we gather medical records and reports, develop legal theories, and when warranted consult possible expert witnesses.

For defense cases, we take the same steps, and also gather information contained in the client's file encompassing statements, investigation reports, medical records and notes. The opposing attorney is contacted to ascertain his or her view of the issues and supporting evidence, to obtain any documentary evidence he or she is willing to provide without formal requests and to elicit a settlement demand. Finally, counsel for any co-defendants or co-plaintiffs are contacted for their view of the case and to explore the possibility of a "joint" or cooperative defense or prosecution.

After evaluation, if a case cannot be settled, we commence with an aggressive representation that is defined by the client's instructions. No significant activity is undertaken without client authorization. Depending on the client's preference, the firm provides copies of written discovery responses and depositions to the client. Finally, the client is provided periodic status reports which disclose, among other things, significant pretrial activity, the effect thereof on previous evaluations, new settlement opportunities and additional recommendations.

While we are always conscious of the need to hold down legal costs, we recognize that some cases, for various reasons, must be tried, and thus must be prepared for trial. In such cases, it is important to recognize that austere pretrial preparation, while initially attractive in an economic sense, ultimately may not make economic sense if the trial is thereby compromised. Therefore, O'Brien & Ulibarri, P.C., always endeavors to balance the need for cost-effective representation with the need for competent representation.