Q: back in December I had a motion conference for a civil case the preliminary conference is in may what's next

A: If things go as they are supposed to, at the preliminary conference deposition dates will be set, discovery deadlines given, a future status conference scheduled, and a date for the filing of the note of issue will be set. At some point the parties will exchange paper discovery as set forth in the preliminary conference order, then proceed to depositions on the dates set in the order. Once the depositions are finished, the plaintiff will file the Note of Issue, which tells the court that the case is ready for trial. Usually within 60 days of the filing of the note of issue, the parties are required to file dispositive motions if they feel summary judgment is warranted. There will then be several pre-trial conferences before an actual trial date is set. More often than not, parties ignore certain deadlines requiring further conferences, and/or motions. In New York City, the process I just described typically takes between two and four years.

A: The only thing I'd add, since you also ask about settlement, is that settlement could take place at any time along the timeline right up to trial. It's difficult to answer WHEN you'll get your settlement because that could depend on how readily your attorneys and the other side's attorneys are able to come to a meeting of the minds over liability issues, extent of damages, and a figure that is mutually agreeable to both sides. Good luck on your case