the problem
When you're too close to the case to see it clearly
Every litigator knows the feeling. You've been living inside a case for months. You know every fact, every deposition, every exhibit. And yet something feels off — the theory isn't landing the way it should, opposing counsel keeps surprising you, or you're not sure whether to push toward trial or start seriously considering settlement.
The problem isn't effort. It's perspective.
When you're deep in a matter, it's hard to step back and evaluate it the way a judge, a jury, or the other side will. Small assumptions calcify into strategy. Weaknesses get rationalized away. And decisions that should be made early — about case
theory, discovery scope, or settlement posture — get deferred until the window to pivot has closed.
The Case Strategy Roadmap is built for exactly this moment.
What the Case Strategy Roadmap is
the solution
The Case Strategy Roadmap is a single, structured strategy session: flat-fee, focused, and built entirely around your case. It is not a general consultation. It is a working session designed to produce a concrete, actionable picture of where your case stands and what to do next.
In one session, you will cover:
Case theory evaluation
Is your theory of the case persuasive, provable, and positioned for the fact-finder you actually have? We stress-test your theory against the facts in the record and identify where it holds and where it doesn't.
Discovery strategy and posture
Are you getting what you need from discovery? Are you protecting what you should? We review your discovery posture: what you've requested, what you've produced, and what you may be missing, and identify strategic adjustments before the window closes.
Weakness identification and mitigation
Every case has weaknesses. The question is whether you've found yours before opposing counsel has. We identify the vulnerabilities in your case - evidentiary, legal, and factual - and develop a strategy for addressing them before they become liabilities at trial.
Settlement posture, valuation, and next steps
Where does this case realistically settle, and when is the right time to have that conversation? We analyze the risk-adjusted value of your case, the other side's likely posture, and the inflection points that will move the needle on settlement. The session ends with a clear written summary of your case's current position, the key decisions that need to be made in the next 30–60 days, and a prioritized action plan.
Who this session is built for
The Case Strategy Roadmap is designed for solo practitioners and small firm attorneys who are handling civil matters and need a strategic outside perspective.
It is particularly valuable when:
• You're approaching a major decision point — a dispositive motion, a settlement conference, a trial date and you want to pressure-test your position.
• You've hit an unexpected development — a bad ruling, an adverse deposition, new evidence from the other side — and you need to recalibrate your strategy quickly.
• You're taking over a case mid-stream — stepping into a matter that was handled by someone else and needing to get up to speed on what's there and what's missing.
• You want a second set of analytical eyes — not co-counsel, not a partner looking over your shoulder, but a confidential outside perspective from someone who has no stake in how the case has been handled so far.
How the session works
The Case Strategy Roadmap is not a brainstorming session. It is a structured working session with a defined output.
At the end of the engagement, you will have:
Step 1 — Book a free 20-minute strategy call.
We talk through your case at a high level, confirm this is the right service for your situation, and determine what materials you'll send in advance.
Step 2 — Send your case materials.
Before the session, you'll share relevant materials — the complaint, key motions, deposition summaries, discovery responses, or whatever is most relevant to the decisions you're facing. Everything is handled with full confidentiality as work product.
Step 3 — The working session.
A focused, structured session — typically 90 minutes to 2 hours — working through your case systematically. This is a real working session, not a lecture or a general conversation.
Step 4 — Written roadmap delivered.
Within 48 hours of the session, you receive a written summary of the session's conclusions and your prioritized action plan.
You walk away with clarity and a roadmap you can use.
Built by a litigator who understands what you're up against
Ashley M. Cornwell, Esq. is a Florida-licensed attorney with experience across civil litigation, appellate work, criminal defense strategy, and complex legal research. She built AC Legal Consulting specifically to give solo and small firm attorneys access to the kind of appellate-level strategic thinking that larger firms take for granted.
The Case Strategy Roadmap is grounded in real litigation experience. If you're in the middle of a case, you need someone who understands the actual pressures of litigation: deadlines, discovery disputes, client expectations, and the reality that decisions made in the middle of a case determine what happens at the end.
What you get from the session
The Case Strategy Roadmap is not a brainstorming session.
It is a structured working session with a defined output.
At the end of the engagement, you will have:
01
Written Case Position Summary
A concise, objective summary of your case's current position, highlighting the critical strengths and vulnerabilities that will drive your next strategic moves.
02
Theory Articulation & Stress-Test
A refined articulation of your case theory, stress-tested against the known facts and anticipated defenses to ensure your narrative is bulletproof.
03
Discovery Strategy Assessment
A surgical look at your discovery record to identify missing evidentiary links and a clear strategy for the remaining discovery period.
04
Settlement Evaluation & Valuation
A frank, risk-adjusted assessment of your case's value and a tactical guide for settlement posture and timing for negotiation.
05
Prioritized 30–60 Day Action List
A concrete, time-bound roadmap that prioritizes the most impactful actions you need to take over the next two months to stabilize and advance your case.
Confidential Work Product
Everything about this engagement is treated as confidential. AC Legal Consulting operates as a discreet extension of your law office. The materials you share, the conversations we have, and the conclusions we reach are protected as attorney work product and handled with the same professional discretion you'd expect from a trusted colleague.
Your clients will never know you sought outside strategic support. Neither will your firm, your opposing counsel, or anyone else.
This is a confidential professional relationship, full stop.
Common Questions
What types of cases does this work for?
The Case Strategy Roadmap is designed for civil litigation such as contract disputes, business litigation, torts, real estate, and similar complex civil matters. It is not designed for criminal defense or family law matters, though limited strategic consultation in those areas may be available on request.
How much case material do I need to share in advance?
Enough to ground the session in the actual facts of your case. Typically this means the complaint and key responsive pleadings, a summary of the discovery record, and any prior rulings. You don't need to send everything, just what's most relevant to the decisions you're facing.
Can I use this for an appeal?
The Case Strategy Roadmap is designed for matters still in the trial court. If you're approaching or already in the appellate process, Appellate Brief Consulting is a better fit.
Is this a one-time engagement?
Yes. The Case Strategy Roadmap is a single-session engagement. Some attorneys return for additional sessions as their case develops, but there is no ongoing commitment required.
What if I need more ongoing support after the session?
If you find the working relationship valuable and want continued strategic support, the Solo Practice Advisory or ongoing Outside Counsel & Overflow Support engagements may be the right next step. We can discuss that at the end of your session.