Plaintiffs

If you are contemplating a law suit keep in mind that a plaintiff bears responsibility for advancing the case every step of the way.  A plaintiff who is not winning is losing. Period. 

As a first step, collect all the documents you think are important to the suit.  Take them with you to the initial appointment with a lawyer.  Make a mental list of all witnesses you think are important and be prepared to discuss the witnesses and the documents with your lawyer in depth.  Do not write anything down.  Like Henry Kissinger said: "Even paranoids have enemies".  You've been harmed, its time to be a little paranoid. 

Don't call the defendant. Remember the Miranda rights from TV: "anything you say can and will be used against you".  More than likely, you won't gain anything by talking to the defendant.

Most important: don't say anything you wouldn't want to see on the front page of your local paper. Remember, statements that are misconstrued can never be fully retracted.  Whatever you say might hurt your case.

Just be quiet and find a lawyer.  Start now.  Don't wait till later because the suit isn't wine, it won't get better with age. If the media show up, just refer them to your lawyer.  If you don't have a lawyer find a lawyer now.