Northern California Business Litigation Attorneys

Business and commercial disputes arise on a wide range of issues. At the law office of Peterson, Martin & Reynolds LLP, our skilled business litigation attorneys have experience representing small and medium-sized businesses and individuals involved in limited-issue to highly complex business disputes.

When you choose our law firm, we’ll use our extensive knowledge of business and commercial law to protect your best interests and advocate for you. Reach out to us today to learn more about how our firm can help your business meet its goals when involved in a business dispute.

Understanding Business Litigation

Commercial and business transactions may lead to disputes for any number of reasons. Such disputes are often resolved through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation and non-binding arbitration. Our attorneys have extensive experience in negotiating dispute settlements in a wide variety of ADR forums.

When alternative dispute resolution methods fail, the parties may turn to formal litigation. Litigation is the process of presenting and arguing a case before a court or, where the parties are contractually bound, to an arbitrator in binding arbitration matters.

While for some business and commercial disputes, litigation may prove to be the only path to a favorable result, many businesses will first attempt to resolve the dispute. If business litigation is necessary for your company, representation from a skilled business litigation attorney will be essential.

Common Sources of Business Litigation

Some sources of business litigation involve internal disputes, whereas others involve external stakeholders, customers, businesses, or vendors. Our lawyers are well-versed in the various types of business litigation and can provide your business with the knowledgeable representation. Common claims in business litigation include:

• Breach of contract. One of the most common sources of litigation is A common source of business litigation is disputes over contract terms and performance. Typical contract disputes involve contracts for the purchase and sale of a business, partnership or joint-venture agreements, vendor or supplier contracts, license agreements, etc.
• Investment fraud. Investment fraud refers to deceptive practices whereby investors are induced to purchase or sell investments after being provided false information. Concealment of adverse financial records in the sale of businesses or other assets, misrepresenting material facts to business customers, partners and clients, wrongfully inducing elders to transfer funds or property, falsifying transaction documents and more are all examples of common types of investment fraud.
• Breach of fiduciary duty. Fiduciary duty refers to a type of legal obligation where the fiduciary is compelled to act with the other’s best interests in mind. Fiduciary obligations can be owed by business partners, or specific professionals such as lawyers and real estate brokers. If a fiduciary has a conflict of interest, engages in behavior that is self-serving, misappropriates funds, or engages in other illegal or unethical behavior, litigation may offer the most effective path to a remedy for the aggrieved party.
• Intellectual property disputes. Trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, are all examples of intellectual property. Infringement of intellectual property rights will often lead to litigation.
• More. In addition to the above common sources of business disputes that can lead to litigation, other reasons for disputes include:
  • Commercial sales
  • Warranties
  • Unfair competition
  • False advertising
  • Legal malpractice
  • Deceptive trade practices
  • Insurance and insurance coverage

Elements of the Business Litigation Process

Business litigation can be complex, and the stakes are often high. For businesses involved in disputes, litigation may mean unbudgeted costs and financial risk, significant time commitment and business distraction, reputational risk, public scrutiny, and unpredictable outcomes.

Depending on the size and complexity of the case, the business litigation process may include a series of initial pleadings, interim motions and court hearings, discovery involving many documents and depositions of the parties, witnesses and experts, mediation sessions, and depending on the case, either an evidentiary arbitration hearing or a court or jury trial.

The process can typically take one to two years. In some cases, the trial results may be appealed, drawing out the case even longer. Because of the high risks to a business involved in litigation, working with a skilled business litigation attorney is a necessity.

At Peterson, Martin & Reynolds, LLP, we will conduct an initial analysis of your case, advise you on your options, and answer questions about the pros and cons of litigation. We also will explore with you the possibility of resolving the case through alternative dispute resolution methods to avoid as much as possible the lengthy and expensive litigation process.

About Peterson, Martin & Reynolds LLP

At Peterson, Martin & Reynolds LLP, we are highly skilled and effective advocates for small- and medium-sized businesses. We know what the stakes are for your business, and are able to provide aggressive, successful legal representation thanks to our extensive knowledge of business and contract law, years of experience, and passion for our work. Our law firm was founded in 1997 and our lawyers have decades of combined legal experience, including jury and court trial experience in both California state and U.S. federal courts.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Northern California Business Litigation Lawyers Today

If your business is involved in a legal dispute, seeking legal representation as soon as possible is in your best interest. The earlier that you bring our law firm in, the earlier we can begin assessing the situation, work with you on dispute resolution options, gather evidence, and build your case. We pride ourselves on our strategic thinking and planning.

We will find out whether the best strategy for resolution of your case may be an expedited out-of-court settlement, or, depending on the case, aggressively proceeding against the other side by promptly filing a complaint or responsive pleading in court. Whichever approach best fits your needs, our primary goal will be to protect your business interests.

To learn more about our law firm and how our business litigation lawyers can help, please call us directly at 415-399-2900, set an appointment to visit one of our offices in person, or send us an email at info@pmrlegal.com. We have offices in San Francisco, Oakland, and Lafayette, California.