Disputes and legal issues are a regular part of business for corporations and entrepreneurs in South Florida and across the country. A Miami business dispute attorney at Gonzalez Law can help clients address disputes head-on and effectively resolve legal issues to minimize disruptions.
Disputes can (and do) arise in various business activities, from an entity’s creation to asset and inventory acquisition, debt management, and succession planning. They may involve clashes with customers, vendors, partners, landlords, and competitors, among others.
At Gonzalez Law, our business litigation attorneys don’t just know the law. We also understand the commercial realities that businesses often face and the difficult choices that corporate leaders are regularly forced to make. We are proud to serve as trusted advisors to companies and their leaders.
Breach of Contract
Contract disputes are among the most common legal issues for companies large and small. They often involve legal agreements related to goods and services, employment, consulting, and partnerships.
Breach of contract is a legal claim in which a person or entity that is a party to a contract alleges that another party has failed to do something required under the agreement. The party alleging a contract breach can seek money damages to cover the financial harm caused or a court order requiring the other party to follow through on the deal.
Business Torts
Business torts are claims relating to legal duties that come from outside of contracts.
For example, employees and businesses may have a responsibility not to defraud their employers, customers, or affiliates. Additionally, they may also have obligations to protect trade secrets.
Partnerships
Partners do not always agree on the direction of the business or how to handle specific issues. Disputes arise when partners do not see eye to eye, especially on financial issues like dividing profits.
These disputes are often a form of breach of contract, in which a partner is accused of violating the partnership agreement. They can also center on claims that a partner has breached a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the business.
Intellectual Property
Intellectual property is among the most important assets for many businesses, regardless of the industry or nature of the company.
Business disputes can arise over alleged infractions of patents and trademarks or disagreements about who owns the intellectual property in a specific work. A company pursuing a patent or copyright infringement claim can seek compensation for any harm caused and a court order halting continued infringement.
Employment Law
State and federal laws protect employees from a wide range of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the job. They also require that employees be paid a certain minimum wage and that many workers get overtime pay for excess hours.
It is vital for businesses to understand their legal obligations to employees and to comply with the law. Our Miami business dispute attorney can help you do that and resolve disputes that arise along the way.
Fraud
Fraud is a broad term used to describe various situations in which people or entities use deception to secure something of value.
Fraudsters routinely target individual consumers, as well as businesses and other organizations. Fraud claims can be powerful tools for businesses that have been harmed by deceptive actions of former business partners, employees or competitors.
Misappropriation of Trade Secrets
A business’ confidential, technical and financial information can be widely protected as trade secrets.
Florida’s trade secrets law allows companies to seek compensation and other remedies for the misappropriation of that information. Claims can be brought against anyone who has disclosed a trade secret without authorization.
Unfair Trade Practices
Unfair business practices harm consumers and other businesses alike by stifling competition. These claims aim to stop that harm and compensate those impacted by it.
Shareholder Disputes
A company’s officers and directors owe a general duty of care and other specific fiduciary duties to the company and its shareholders.
The officers and directors generally are obligated to operate in the best interest of the business. They are also barred from self-dealing and required to steer clear of other conflicts of interest that put their individual objectives above those of the business.
How to Prevent Business Disputes Before They Happen
Corporate leaders, small business owners, and entrepreneurs already have enough on their plates. They should not have to also be mired in complicated legal disputes and long, drawn-out courtroom battles that threaten to derail their businesses.
Our Miami business dispute attorney uses a number of legal solutions to ward off litigation and efficiently resolve disputes. We also help clients spot potential legal issues on the front end and tackle them proactively to avoid larger problems down the road.
There are several ways to minimize the risk of legal disputes. Drafting and negotiating contracts that are legally binding and clearly state each party’s rights and obligations is a crucial step. Recordkeeping is also important. By having emails, contracts, accounting information, file notes, meeting minutes, and other documents on hand, you will be much better prepared to handle any disputes that later come up.
Not all business disputes eventually end up in court. A seasoned business litigation attorney will work to resolve disputes through negotiations and settlement whenever possible while also being ready to go to trial whenever necessary.
Settlement can be an attractive alternative to litigation because it significantly reduces the cost and risk that comes with a trial. It can also be an effective way to resolve disputes without the frustration and public attention often accompanying a court fight.
Our business dispute attorneys also assist clients through alternative dispute resolution options, like arbitration and mediation. These options can help reduce the stress, cost, and risk of litigation.
Speak With a Miami Business Dispute Attorney
If you are looking to resolve an active or potential business dispute in South Florida, Gonzalez Law can help.
Our office is conveniently located in Miami, and we are proud to serve clients across South Florida. Call us at 305-676-6677 or contact us online to speak with a business dispute attorney.