Strategic defense for a small business in a breach of contract case

Issue:

The Plaintiff sued Jolanta's client, a small business owner, alleging breach of contract and demanding damages. The Plaintiff planned to call 7–8 witnesses, aiming to build a case around one-sided claims without producing any expert reports. Actions Taken:

Settlement conference representation: JC Paralegal Services attended the virtual conference and actively participated in negotiations. Despite efforts, the case did not settle.

Strategic defense planning: Jolanta immediately began preparing for trial, with a clear plan to present 3 defense witnesses, focused on dismantling the Plaintiff's version of events.

Evidence management: The Plaintiff was ordered to serve their document brief within 30 days. Jolanta secured additional time (30 days after receipt) to file the Defense’s document brief, aligning with Small Claims Court Rules 7.01 and 13.03(2).

Outcome (Ongoing):

Though the matter has not settled, the Defense is now fully prepared for trial. By keeping the scope narrow and focusing on factual accuracy, JC Paralegal Services is building a strong counter-narrative to dispute the Plaintiff’s inflated claims.

Impact:

The client feels supported and confident heading into trial, knowing their paralegal has taken full control of the process and evidence strategy.