We live in the Internet age, where instant results are at our fingertips. As a result, clients are sometimes surprised when I explain how long an employment lawsuit takes. On average, it takes at least 18 months from the time a case is filed until the case goes to trial. But, there is good news. In most situations, cases are resolved long before the date of trial. Many cases are settled through private mediation or negotiations between the lawyers, most often occurring between 6 and 9 months after the lawsuit is filed. Sometimes, we are even able to resolve cases before lawsuits are filed through the use of settlement demand letters. If you are considering filing a lawsuit against your employer, you should expect the case to take at least one year before it is resolved. Each lawsuit is different, however, and there are many factors that can speed up or slow down the legal process. Gibbons Law Group, PLLC is a Charlotte employment law firm that handles employment lawsuits throughout North Carolina.