Secure Pre-Litigation Discovery & Evidence Management Platform for Legal Pros
The Reddit post and its comments show a lot of confusion and uncertainty among legal professionals about pre-litigation discovery, like getting evidence or issuing subpoenas before a formal lawsuit is filed. People are talking about different rules in various jurisdictions, such as Texas TRCP 202, FRCP Rule 27, and Illinois Supreme Court Rule 224, which allow these pre-suit actions. This highlights a knowledge gap and the need for clearer, more standardized processes. The original poster's unclear communication further emphasizes how easy it is to misunderstand these delicate pre-litigation phases.
Opportunity: There's a niche market for a SaaS solution that helps legal professionals navigate the complexities of pre-litigation discovery across different jurisdictions. Such a tool could help manage the procedures for pre-suit evidence gathering and subpoena issuance, ensuring compliance with specific state and federal rules. This would reduce confusion, improve efficiency, and minimize the risk of procedural errors.
Product Form & Revenue Target: The product would be a specialized web-based SaaS application. It would offer features like a jurisdictional rule database for pre-suit discovery, templates for pre-suit subpoenas and requests, secure evidence logging, communication tracking, and compliance checklists. Revenue would come from a tiered subscription model aimed at law firms, especially small to mid-sized firms and solo practitioners who handle or encounter situations requiring pre-litigation investigation and discovery.
Origin Reddit Post
r/lawyertalk
Third party turned over evidence before case even starts
Posted by u/Icy-Document6515•05/31/2025
I’m plaintiff sided counsel for this case. My client got fired from work because of an allegation from a police department. Before I even entertained the idea of filing a lawsuit, I first fil
Top Comments
u/IveNeverPooped
It is definitely common to settle quickly in litigation or even just after a demand when the liability and damages are reasonably clear. But it’s not *uncommon* for slam dunks to be in litiga
u/Theistus
Table mongoose hyperbole dog. Know what I mean?
u/DuhTocqueville
We’ve experienced a bizarre drop in coherency lately in this sub.
u/OwslyOwl
How was a subpoena issued without a case being filed first?
u/MandamusMan
I don’t know what happened, but I’m siding with opposing counsel
u/ServiceBackground662
Ok whew…I assumed I was even dumber than I originally thought
u/retiredtumblrgoth
I’m new but this seems to be extremely common in my practice area, happened three times in my first few months of practice. Is it unusual to settle after a demand letter but without actually
u/Healthy-Channel2897
This is so confusingly written. I am very confused about what you’re saying occurred.
u/throwawayalldan
I think opposing counsel is banking on the fact you’re incapable of writing and your complaint and motions won’t be coherent to win his case.
u/ServiceBackground662
Ok whew…I assumed I was even dumber than I originally thought
u/SunOk475
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 224 allows limited pre-suit discovery: https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/298b74b6-673d-4c82-bd76-860f6ccb03a1/Rule%20224.pdf
u/IveNeverPooped
It is definitely common to settle quickly in litigation or even just after a demand when the liability and damages are reasonably clear. But it’s not *uncommon* for slam dunks to be in litiga
u/SugarCube80
Yeah, if OP’s demand to OC was this confusing, no wonder he told him to fuck off.
u/SugarCube80
Yeah, if OP’s demand to OC was this confusing, no wonder he told him to fuck off.
u/MandamusMan
I don’t know what happened, but I’m siding with opposing counsel
u/PoopMobile9000
“My case is so strong, surely the defendant will settle based on my demand letter alone.”
An instinct that *never* fails
u/retiredtumblrgoth
I’m new but this seems to be extremely common in my practice area, happened three times in my first few months of practice. Is it unusual to settle after a demand letter but without actually
u/IllustriousChoice917
Dude, did you seriously expect OC to listen to your interpretation of some undisclosed evidence, and simply agree on behalf of the city to fork over 7 figures, over the phone, on a Friday? Ar
u/AromaticImpact4627
You probably don’t know what you’re doing, just FYI
u/InsanePowerPlay
I'm opposing counsel on this. He called me at 4:30 p.m. on a Friday claiming he had third party evidence, but was not coherent at all about what it was, and wanted to settle the case over the
u/doubledizzel
I had this case where the opposing party admitted to forging documents on a video when talking to someone in a very public place. It took a surprisingly long time to settle. Apparently coun
u/DuhTocqueville
Viking helm brother.
u/mlh149
I know in Texas, TRCP 202 allows for subpoenas for pre-suit depositions, and there are some roundabout ways to get documents there. But looking at OP's replies, I don't think that is what he
u/DuhTocqueville
We’ve experienced a bizarre drop in coherency lately in this sub.
u/Picklesis44333
You are right, f him. Even if he is being truthful, NO ONE IS GIVING HIM 10 MIL IN 30 MINUTES.
u/stiiii
I wonder if it is AI getting better to the point where it almost makes sense.
u/dusters
Never heard of a subpoena without a case tied to it...
u/Master_Butter
OP says the other party are police officers. Which means that, assuming the cops were doing cop things on paid cop time, they’re almost certainly going to be immune from any sort of civil sui
u/AromaticImpact4627
You probably don’t know what you’re doing, just FYI
u/TurnDownTheRadioJerk
Wait, I think OP is the guy who showed up at my client's business and served them with a fake subpoena this morning [https://www.reddit.com/r/Lawyertalk/comments/1kzmxs4/client\_served\_with\
u/sneakyvegan
I’ve seen cases settle after a demand letter, but usually because the party receiving the letter took the time to investigate the claims and then made a determination to try to settle. Not ju
u/l4wyerup
I just saw the OC post. When did this sub turn into a meme?
u/throwawayalldan
I think opposing counsel is banking on the fact you’re incapable of writing and your complaint and motions won’t be coherent to win his case.
u/DuhTocqueville
Viking helm brother.
u/-Not-Your-Lawyer-
My jurisdiction has a civil rule that allows for discovery (including issuance of subpoenas) before an action is filed. It's like FRCP Rule 27, but broader than just depositions.
u/l4wyerup
I just saw the OC post. When did this sub turn into a meme?
u/Theistus
Table mongoose hyperbole dog. Know what I mean?
u/Healthy-Channel2897
This is so confusingly written. I am very confused about what you’re saying occurred.
u/dusters
Never heard of a subpoena without a case tied to it...
u/OwslyOwl
How was a subpoena issued without a case being filed first?
u/Picklesis44333
Ha ha ha, do not start spending it. They do not pay millions until your foot is on their throat, unless there is a DOJ investigation or an imminent transaction.
u/sneakyvegan
I’ve seen cases settle after a demand letter, but usually because the party receiving the letter took the time to investigate the claims and then made a determination to try to settle. Not ju
u/InsanePowerPlay
I'm opposing counsel on this. He called me at 4:30 p.m. on a Friday claiming he had third party evidence, but was not coherent at all about what it was, and wanted to settle the case over the
u/Picklesis44333
Ha ha ha, do not start spending it. They do not pay millions until your foot is on their throat, unless there is a DOJ investigation or an imminent transaction.
u/doubledizzel
I had this case where the opposing party admitted to forging documents on a video when talking to someone in a very public place. It took a surprisingly long time to settle. Apparently coun
u/AnimatedMeat
Jesus. I need some of these pre-lit subpoenas. What kind of loser am I to not know about this.
u/PoopMobile9000
“My case is so strong, surely the defendant will settle based on my demand letter alone.”
An instinct that *never* fails
u/-Not-Your-Lawyer-
My jurisdiction has a civil rule that allows for discovery (including issuance of subpoenas) before an action is filed. It's like FRCP Rule 27, but broader than just depositions.