Few moments in a business lawsuit create more anxiety than a deposition. For many business owners, it is also one of the first times they will answer questions under oath outside of a courtroom. That prospect alone can make the experience intimidating. What surprises many people, however, is that a deposition is not about dramatic […]
Alisme Law’s Blog
The Discovery Phase: Where Business Lawsuits Are Often Won or Lost
When prospective clients think about litigation, they tend to picture a made-for-TV trial, with elaborate opening statements from counsel, star witnesses, a no-nonsense judge, and a dramatic final decision. Yet in many business disputes, the most important work happens long before anyone steps into a courtroom for trial, during discovery. Discovery is the phase of […]
Why Business Litigation Is a Process, Not an Event
Business owners are accustomed to solving problems quickly. A customer issue arises and is addressed. A vendor misses a deadline, and a solution is implemented. An operational challenge appears, and the business adapts. Litigation works differently. One of the most common frustrations business owners experience during a lawsuit is the feeling that the case is […]
The First Court Appearance: What Business Owners Should Expect
The first court appearance is often one of the most anticipated moments in a business lawsuit. For many business owners, it is also one of the most misunderstood. TV shows and movies have conditioned people to expect dramatic arguments, surprise evidence, and decisive courtroom victories. Business owners often imagine their attorney standing before the judge […]
The Red Flag Most Business Owners Miss During a Partnership Dispute
The first sign of a partnership dispute is rarely an argument. Instead, it usually starts with an unanswered question. A request for financial information goes unanswered, or a report arrives late. Sometimes, a partner makes a decision without explaining why. At other times, that partner may take steps to restrict access to the business’s records. […]
The Seven-Figure Business Lawsuit You Never Knew Existed
If you asked most business owners, they would likely say they would know if their company was being sued. After all, a lawsuit seems like the kind of event that would be impossible to miss. Unfortunately, that assumption has cost some businesses hundreds of thousands, and sometimes millions, of dollars. It happens more often than […]
The Meeting You Were Not Invited To: What It May Mean for Your Ownership Rights
At first, it may not seem like a big deal. A meeting takes place without you. A decision gets made, and you hear about it afterward. Perhaps a vendor relationship changes, an employee is hired, a loan is taken out, or a significant business opportunity is pursued without your involvement. When you ask about it, […]
The Business Owner’s Litigation Survival Guide: What To Do During the First 30 Days of a Lawsuit
Few events capture a business owner’s attention faster than being served with a lawsuit. One day, business is operating normally. The next day, a process server appears at the office, a Summons and Complaint arrives, and suddenly a dispute that may have been simmering in the background becomes very real. Questions begin piling up immediately. […]