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Equal Justice Solutions | High-Stakes Public Interest Law Firm

Business Litigation Attorney in Lancaster, PA

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Commercial litigation services for businesses in Lancaster and surrounding areas

When a business dispute arises in Lancaster County, the venue, procedural rules, and local judicial practices determine both the speed and complexity of litigation. Lancaster has its own civil procedures, a smaller docket than many neighboring counties, and unique rules for discovery disputes, complex cases, and motion practice that every commercial litigator should understand.

At Equal Justice Solutions, we represent owners, investors, and mission-driven companies in breach of contract, fiduciary duty, shareholder oppression, trade secrets, real estate disputes, and other commercial conflicts. Our approach emphasizes precise pleadings, early venue analysis, tight motion practice, and ecumenical Christian, faith-based values that guide us to give you candid advice about when to litigate and when to resolve a case efficiently.

Figure 1 The Lancaster Court of Common Pleas Local Rules Are Laid Out in A Neat, E-Book Like Presentation
Figure 1 The Lancaster Court of Common Pleas Local Rules Are Laid Out in A Neat, E-Book Like Presentation

Lancaster’s rules give commercial litigators tools to move cases forward efficiently—or slow things down strategically when warranted.

1. Petitions for Limited Discovery or Venue Relief (Rule 206.4(c))

  • Petitions can seek ancillary relief before full litigation begins, such as:
    • Limited discovery to evaluate claims or defenses
    • Motions to transfer venue
    • Preliminary objections under Pa.R.Civ.P. 1028(a)(1), (5), or (6)
  • A Rule to Show Cause must be issued, with the respondent given 20 days to answer and discovery completed within 45 days after the answer.


Why it matters:
This tool lets parties clarify key issues early, potentially eliminating weak claims or defenses before full-scale litigation costs build up.

2. Discovery Motions Court — Tuesday 5 p.m. Filing, Friday 1:30 p.m. Hearing (Rule 208.3(c))

  • Discovery disputes must be filed by Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
  • Hearings occur that same week on Friday at 1:30 p.m. before the Discovery Motions Court .
  • Briefs are limited in length, responses are due quickly, and judges expect concise arguments.


Why it matters:
For business litigators, this is one of the fastest discovery dispute timelines in Pennsylvania—you can raise an issue Tuesday and have it heard Friday.

3. Complex Case Track — 12 Months After Pleadings Close (Rule 212.1)

  • Cases designated “complex” have 12 months from the close of pleadings before they are considered “at issue” for trial scheduling .
  • This gives parties time for extensive discovery, multiple motions, or coordinating multi-party disputes without rushing the case to trial too soon.


Why it matters:
Commercial cases involving shareholder rights, fiduciary duties, or multi-forum litigation often benefit from this extended schedule.

4. Tight Briefing Timelines for Motions (Rules 208.3(b), 1035.2, 126)

  • Motions and briefs must be filed together; if the brief isn’t filed, the motion is deemed withdrawn .
  • Preliminary objections: 10 days for moving brief, 20 days for response .
  • Summary judgment: 30 days for response; silence can mean the motion is unopposed .


Why it matters:
Commercial litigants must stay on top of deadlines—these rules push cases forward quickly, limiting delay tactics.

5. Business Judge Assignment (Rule 10)

  • Lancaster assigns a Business Judge each day to handle motions, petitions, and time-sensitive matters.


Why it matters:
Urgent commercial disputes—injunctions, temporary restraining orders, or early venue fights—can be heard quickly without waiting for normal case assignment.

Lancaster County Case Management & Docket Stats

  • Judges: 15 total judges, managing both civil and criminal dockets.
  • Civil actions: 3,597 filed in 2023, far fewer than Philadelphia or Montgomery County.
  • Jury trials: Only 1 civil jury trial in 2023; most cases resolved before trial.
  • Timelines: Most cases resolve within 18 months, but ~20% remain pending beyond 4 years.
  • Case mix: No “Other” cases in 2023 (the bucket used for complex commercial disputes), but 33 real estate cases likely included commercial property conflicts .

What this means for businesses:

  • More judicial attention per case compared to crowded venues like EDPA or Philadelphia Commerce Court.
  • Less institutional experience with multi-party corporate disputes—Delaware Chancery or Philadelphia Commerce Court may be better for precedent-heavy corporate litigation.

Venue Strategy: Lancaster vs. Other Forums

Figure 2 Lancaster, PA
Figure 2 Lancaster, PA

We analyze whether your dispute belongs in:

  • Lancaster County Court (efficient for straightforward disputes)
  • EDPA (federal tools, broader jury pools, active ADR)
  • Philadelphia Commerce Court (specialized business judges)
  • Delaware Chancery (corporate governance expertise)

For real estate disputes, contract litigation, or local business conflicts, Lancaster offers speed and judicial focus. For multi-forum shareholder disputes or cases needing injunctions and national discovery tools, EDPA or Chancery may be better.

Lancaster Special: Affordable Business Litigation Packages

For matters filed in Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, we offer:

15–25 Hour Lancaster Litigation Starter Pack™ — $495/hour

Early case analysis, risk assessment, venue strategy, and preliminary motion planning. Funds are held in trust; withdraw if you’re not satisfied.

75-Hour Quick Defense Package — $475/hour

For defendants needing immediate representation: early appearances, settlement posture, liability analysis, and motion drafting.

These discounts apply only to Lancaster County Court cases and not to federal court, Philadelphia Commerce Court, Delaware Chancery, or New York Commercial Division matters.

Small Business Legal Support Program

We believe quality legal representation shouldn’t be out of reach for mission-driven or smaller enterprises. Through our Small Business Legal Support Program, we offer sliding scale fees—reducing our hourly rates by up to 50% for qualifying businesses.

This program is available for:

  • Businesses with limited revenues, nonprofits, or social enterprises
  • Mission-aligned clients whose disputes raise issues of fairness or accountability
  • Cases where principles, not just profits, are at stake

Each application is reviewed individually to ensure the case aligns with our firm’s values and capacity.

Who We Don’t Represent

We decline representation for:

  • Companies suing non-executive employees for minor claims
  • Entities credibly accused of fraud, abuse, or harassment
  • Cases primarily designed to intimidate, silence, or retaliate
  • Insurance defense or personal injury defense matters outside commercial coverage disputes

Our practice, including the work of our commercial litigation attorneys, exists to support businesses acting in good faith—those seeking justice, not simply leverage.

Types of Cases We Handle in Lancaster County

  • Breach of contract disputes
  • Shareholder and partnership conflicts
  • Fiduciary duty litigation
  • Trade secret and restrictive covenant disputes
  • Real estate litigation involving commercial properties
  • Business torts, including fraud and misrepresentation
  • Insurance coverage litigation for commercial claims

FAQs About Lancaster County Business Litigation

1. How long does a commercial case take in Lancaster County?

Most resolve within 18 months, though some last beyond four years due to appeals or complex discovery. The complex case assignment strives to set cases for trial 12 months after filing.

Yes. Rule 206.4(c) petitions allow early limited discovery or venue relief before full-scale litigation begins.

File by Tuesday 5:00 p.m., argue before the judge on Friday at 1:30 p.m.—one of the fastest timelines in Pennsylvania .

Under Rule 212.1, complex cases get 12 months after pleadings close before trial scheduling, allowing for extensive discovery and motion practice .

We offer the Litigation Starter Pack™ at $495/hour and the 75-Hour Quick Defense Package at $475/hour, for Lancaster County Court cases only.

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