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Help! I've Been Sued!: Ten Steps To Avoid Disaster
A process server just handed you a lawsuit. Your name or your business is at the top. The tiny print on the large packet of papers might as well be written in Pig Latin.
Your mind races. What does this mean? What can they take from you? Should you call the plaintiff? Delete your emails? Transfer your assets? File for bankruptcy?
Stop! Don’t do any of that.
In her civil trial practice of over two decades and a thousand cases, Alicia I. Dearn has seen it all. Good people can make catastrophic mistakes in the first days after being served; mistakes that cost them their businesses, their futures, and their peace of mind. Mistakes that didn’t have to happen.
Help! I've Been Sued! Ten Steps to Avoid Disaster gives you clear, practical guidance on exactly what to do right now—before you spend thousands on a lawyer, before you ask AI for advice, before you accidentally make anything worse. Written in plain English by an experienced trial lawyer with no AI hallucinations, no theory, and no fluff.
Lawsuits don’t have to ruin your life. Don’t panic—just start here.
Please This book is based on American legal principles. The laws of other jurisdictions may vary.
Your mind races. What does this mean? What can they take from you? Should you call the plaintiff? Delete your emails? Transfer your assets? File for bankruptcy?
Stop! Don’t do any of that.
In her civil trial practice of over two decades and a thousand cases, Alicia I. Dearn has seen it all. Good people can make catastrophic mistakes in the first days after being served; mistakes that cost them their businesses, their futures, and their peace of mind. Mistakes that didn’t have to happen.
Help! I've Been Sued! Ten Steps to Avoid Disaster gives you clear, practical guidance on exactly what to do right now—before you spend thousands on a lawyer, before you ask AI for advice, before you accidentally make anything worse. Written in plain English by an experienced trial lawyer with no AI hallucinations, no theory, and no fluff.
Lawsuits don’t have to ruin your life. Don’t panic—just start here.
Please This book is based on American legal principles. The laws of other jurisdictions may vary.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 17, 2026
No one expects to be served with a lawsuit, and when it happens, panic usually takes over. Help! I've Been Sued! Ten Steps to Avoid Disaster is exactly the kind of book I hope I never need—but I'm glad I read it.
Attorney Alicia Dearn does an excellent job taking a topic that feels overwhelming and breaking it into practical, manageable steps. Instead of drowning readers in legal jargon, she explains what to do, what not to do, and—most importantly—why those actions matter. The real-life examples sprinkled throughout the book make the advice memorable and show how seemingly small decisions can have enormous consequences.
It never feels condescending or alarmist. Instead, it's like having an experienced attorney sitting across the table saying, "Take a breath. Here's what needs to happen next."
This isn't a substitute for hiring a lawyer (the author is very clear about that), but it does prepare you to be a better client and avoid making costly mistakes in those first chaotic days after being served. I also think it's valuable reading for business owners, independent contractors, and professionals who may never have considered what happens if litigation suddenly lands on their desk.
If you own a business—or simply like being prepared for life's unexpected challenges—this is a worthwhile addition to your library. Hopefully you'll never need it, but if you do, you'll be very glad you read it beforehand.
Attorney Alicia Dearn does an excellent job taking a topic that feels overwhelming and breaking it into practical, manageable steps. Instead of drowning readers in legal jargon, she explains what to do, what not to do, and—most importantly—why those actions matter. The real-life examples sprinkled throughout the book make the advice memorable and show how seemingly small decisions can have enormous consequences.
It never feels condescending or alarmist. Instead, it's like having an experienced attorney sitting across the table saying, "Take a breath. Here's what needs to happen next."
This isn't a substitute for hiring a lawyer (the author is very clear about that), but it does prepare you to be a better client and avoid making costly mistakes in those first chaotic days after being served. I also think it's valuable reading for business owners, independent contractors, and professionals who may never have considered what happens if litigation suddenly lands on their desk.
If you own a business—or simply like being prepared for life's unexpected challenges—this is a worthwhile addition to your library. Hopefully you'll never need it, but if you do, you'll be very glad you read it beforehand.
June 15, 2026
I’ve read this book for free via Booksirens. According to my Booksirens’ score, I don’t give away 5 stars easily.
I think this book comes in handy when you are getting sued. It helps and guides. It is a short and easy read. It is also very practical and responds to the unasked questions and emotions someone in this situation might feel. The author doesn’t shy away from being direct, which is refreshing and builds trust.
The only thing that could have made the book better in my opinion is if there had been an overview page of what to (not) do on day one, what to (not) do in week 1. The chapters do all have really strong summaries that in a stressful situation, already do most of the heavy lifting. All in all, a really useful book if you’re getting sued and are from the USA.
My favorite parts are the foundational comments about what the law is, what a lawsuit does. For instance: “Justice is a luxury that most of us can’t afford.” & “Law is the rules we use to govern how we treat each orher.”
I think this book comes in handy when you are getting sued. It helps and guides. It is a short and easy read. It is also very practical and responds to the unasked questions and emotions someone in this situation might feel. The author doesn’t shy away from being direct, which is refreshing and builds trust.
The only thing that could have made the book better in my opinion is if there had been an overview page of what to (not) do on day one, what to (not) do in week 1. The chapters do all have really strong summaries that in a stressful situation, already do most of the heavy lifting. All in all, a really useful book if you’re getting sued and are from the USA.
My favorite parts are the foundational comments about what the law is, what a lawsuit does. For instance: “Justice is a luxury that most of us can’t afford.” & “Law is the rules we use to govern how we treat each orher.”
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews