Ignoring a business lawsuit does not make it go away, and the other side may obtain a judgment without ever proving its case at trial. When a business receives a summons and complaint, doing nothing can be one of the most consequential responses. The allegations may seem meritless. The amount demanded may appear exaggerated. An […]
Business Litigation
Your Business Received a Lawsuit. What Happens Next?
Being served with a lawsuit starts the clock, and what your business does next can affect the entire case. Receiving a summons and complaint can disrupt any business. The papers may arrive at the office, be delivered to a registered agent, or reach an owner or executive with little warning. The allegations may be surprising, […]
What Happens When Both Sides Claim the Other Breached the Contract First?
In many business lawsuits, the real fight is not whether one party breached the contract, but who breached it first. Breach-of-contract lawsuits are not always as simple as one party failing to perform and the other suing. In many commercial disputes, both sides accuse the other of violating the agreement. A customer may claim that […]
What Happens When the Contract Says One Thing, but the Parties Did Something Else?
The written contract may say one thing, but months or years of doing business differently can complicate the dispute. Business relationships do not always operate exactly as written in contracts. A contract may require payment within 30 days, but one party routinely accepts payment after 60. An agreement may require written approval before additional […]
Can Your Business Recover Lost Profits After a Breach of Contract?
The value of a contract lawsuit may extend far beyond the amount of an unpaid invoice. When one company breaches a contract, the financial consequences for the other business may extend beyond the money immediately owed under the agreement. A supplier’s failure to deliver critical materials may prevent a company from completing orders for its […]
Can Your Business Terminate a Contract After the Other Side Breaches It?
A breach may give your business the right to terminate a contract. But ending the relationship in the wrong manner can create a second dispute. When another company breaches an important business agreement, continuing the relationship may no longer make sense. A vendor may repeatedly fail to deliver, or a customer may stop making required […]
The Other Side Breached the Contract. Can Your Business Stop Performing?
When the other side breaks the deal, your business cannot always just walk away. A business contract usually creates obligations for both sides. One party may be required to provide services, deliver goods, meet certain deadlines, or complete specified work. The contract may require the other side to make payments, provide information, approve deliverables, or […]
Can a Board Director or Shareholder Make a Deal with Their Own Company?
When the people approving a corporate transaction also stand to benefit from it, the transaction may deserve closer scrutiny. Companies regularly enter into transactions with vendors, landlords, lenders, consultants, and other businesses. But what happens when the person benefiting from the deal is also a director, officer, or controlling shareholder of the company? A director […]