Before you file a legal complaint– or threaten your opponent that you may file a legal complaint– make sure you understand what is on the table. That is: what do you stand to win? What do you stand to lose? The answers, in fact, usually require significant legal analysis and help from a lawyer. But people too often guess at answers, and usually guess wrong.
In the film No Country for Old Men, the fellow pictured below was offered a coin toss and had memorably (and understandably) questioned what it was he stood to win or lose .
Do you know what you stand to win or lose pursuing a legal claim? Really? Chances are, you don’t have as much on the line as the guy in the movie (or at least I sure hope not). But you may be making big gambles– or missing out on big opportunities– based on incorrect assumptions.
