Litigation can be either a favorable investment or a turmoil-filled battle, depending on the outcome of your dispute. The agile, forward-thinking business litigation lawyers at Hone Law provide our business clients with the guidance needed to achieve long-lasting profitability while sustaining their key operations in the face of litigation.
As highly experienced commercial litigators, we thrive with complex and high-level business conflicts. . When you are facing a dispute, you need sharp legal representation from business litigation lawyers who know how to move quickly and protect your sensitive information. We would love to advocate for you. Connect with us at (702) 608-3720 today to learn more.
What Causes Business Litigation?
Litigation is an inevitable reality of many businesses, and while there is no counsel on avoiding litigation outright, it is possible to make decisions that render litigation a more remote and less costly possibility. To understand how to minimize litigation in your business, it is necessary to uncover the fundamental causes of commercial litigation, which include:
- Breach of contract
- Intellectual property infringement
- Employment disputes
- Shareholder and partnership disputes
- Real estate disputes
- Product liability
- Fraud
- Merger and acquisition issues
The business litigation lawyers at Hone Law provide zealous legal representation to companies involved in commercial disputes and business lawsuits. When possible, we employ skillful negotiation to resolve the dispute; when necessary, we engage in litigation to win your case. By working with your company to make informed decisions when drafting contracts, safeguarding intellectual property, and navigating employer-employee relations, we can protect your business from costly litigation in the long term.
Can Disputes Between Business Partners Lead to Litigation?
Many successful companies were established through partnerships between motivated, dedicated individuals ready to create fruitful ventures. While these partnerships can provide new opportunities for entrepreneurs by pooling the resources needed to launch and run a business, issues will sometimes arise along the way. When disagreements between partners escalate, these issues can disrupt business operations and lead to litigation.
Disputes between business partners can quickly become complex and antagonistic, threatening the future health of a company. Here are some of the common partnership disputes that we encounter in our work as business litigation lawyers:
- Conflict of interest issues. When business owners have conflicting interests or responsibilities, the business can be impacted. If conflicting interests begin to harm the business, be it financially or by harming its reputation, legal intervention may be needed.
- Breach of fiduciary duty. Business partners have a fiduciary duty to the company and to the partnership. These duties include being honest and fair, and placing the interests of the business above personal interests. If these duties are breached, litigation may ensue.
- Buy-sell agreements. When the partnership disintegrates and one party decides to leave, a buy-sell agreement dictates this process. A buy-sell agreement is a vital document, outlining how a partner’s shares will be distributed among remaining partners, and disputes can erupt if the terms of this agreement are unclear.
We work with business partnerships to structure companies upfront by preparing a meticulously crafted partnership agreement that clarifies each partner’s responsibilities and obligations. With the right foundation in place, your business is more likely to avoid disagreements down the line. If a dispute does arise, however, our team is prepared to advocate for your interests and ensure that you are fully prepared for litigation.
How to Know When I Should Hire a Business Litigation Lawyer?
Business litigation lawyers provide litigation expertise that prioritizes business awareness and acumen, which can be invaluable to individuals and companies in the midst of a commercial dispute. When facing challenging circumstances in business, attempting to handle the matter alone can cause the problem to escalate.
Seeking legal assistance with every issue is not always feasible, especially for small businesses and startups, and it can be difficult to know when to handle a dispute yourself and when to hire a commercial litigation lawyer. As a rule of thumb, it is recommended to hire an attorney before a lawsuit is filed.
When your company is facing a dispute, your attorney will strive to resolve the issue quickly and efficiently by negotiating a favorable settlement. If an amicable resolution is impossible, your attorney will prepare to advocate for your rights in court, ensuring that every step of the litigation process is completed properly, that the right venue is selected for your case, and that all documents are prepared according to the rules and standards of local, state, or federal law.
The Importance of Using Your Attorney as a Resource
At Hone Law, we advise that our clients avoid waiting until they face a major lawsuit to hire legal counsel. Your attorney is available to help your company with much more than just representing it in court. Establishing a relationship with a business litigation lawyer at the early stages of your venture is key to ensuring that they can better represent your needs, goals, and interests, both in and out of court. Your attorney is an important asset to your business – use them as such.
What Happens First in the Business Litigation Process?
Generally, the business litigation process begins by gathering all relevant information to the case and analyzing the issue. At this point, your attorney will ask your questions and develop a strategy for your case. The information-gathering stage is crucial to the outcome of your case, and depending on the unique circumstances of your dispute, can be used to reach a mutually beneficial agreement with the other party.
If possible, your attorney can guide you through alternative resolution methods such as arbitration or mediation to keep your case out of court. Early intervention with an attorney is often helpful to effectively communicate with the other party and assess your position before litigation if it becomes necessary.
Once your business litigation lawyer has reviewed your case and all the pertinent information to determine the right course of action, they may move forward with the litigation process by filing a legal claim with the appropriate court.
What Should I Prepare to Bring to a Business Litigation Lawyer?
A lawyer can only provide sound legal guidance based on facts, and the documents you provide will help your attorney make sense of the facts. If you are preparing to meet with a business litigation lawyer, ensure that you gather and bring any documentation necessary to understand the case, including:
- Business contracts and drafted agreements
- Written and electronic communication with the opposing party
- Internal communication related to the dispute
- Receipts, statements, and bills relating to the dispute
- Reports, loans, and applications that are important to the case
- Testimony of witnesses who can advocate on your behalf
When preparing documentation to bring to a lawyer, ensure that you do not manufacture or hide any evidence. This can pose greater problems down the line and hinder your attorney’s ability to develop a strong and effective strategy for your case.
Speak with an Experienced Lawyer at Hone Law Today
When you need assistance resolving a conflict related to your commercial affairs, you can feel confident that the business litigation team at Hone Law will seek justice for others’ corporate wrongdoings and protect your business interests in a legal proceeding. Our team of seasoned business litigation lawyers has the know-how, adaptability, and commercial sophistication your company needs to mitigate the damages of a business dispute. To discuss your case with a member of our team, consider contacting us at (702) 608-3720 today.