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 […]
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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. […]
Why Being Right Is Not Enough to Win a Business Lawsuit
One of the more difficult conversations we have with our business litigation clients is explaining that being right does not guarantee success. Most business owners approach litigation with an expectation that they should win. The business owner believes that they have every right to feel that way because, from their perspective, the facts are clear. […]
The Most Dangerous Words in a Business Dispute: “Trust Me”
Business disputes often begin long before anyone realizes there is a dispute. There will be no lawsuit, demand letter, or dramatic confrontation. Instead, the dispute will start with a simple conversation about why books are not ready and why a distribution is delayed. One of the partners will give vague answers about finances and take […]
Your Business Partner Just Hired a Lawyer—Should You Be Worried?
Over the years, we have seen many of our business owner clients experience the same reaction upon learning their business partner has hired a lawyer. There is panic and the immediate assumption that a lawsuit is coming. Further, the business owner begins replaying past conversations and wonders whether to hire a lawyer immediately, stop communicating, […]