When a partner misbehaves or a dispute arises in your business, it may be necessary to seek legal action. A skilled business partner dispute attorney can help you understand your options and protect your interests, both financially and professionally.
In general, a successful business requires all partners to work together to share the burdens of ownership and build value for the company. However, this isn’t always possible when a disagreement occurs. Disputes can devastate a company, tie up valuable resources, damage goodwill and potentially destroy the business entirely. The best way to minimize disputes and prevent them from occurring is to carefully draft a partnership agreement at the outset of your business endeavor. A business litigation lawyer can assist you in drafting a partnership or LLC operating agreement that addresses common issues like control, profit sharing, ownership and more.
Even without a formal written agreement in place, it’s important to have a clear understanding of each party’s responsibilities and duties. Almost all lawsuits between business partners include a claim of breach of fiduciary duty, which is defined as the “duty of loyalty and good faith that all people owe to each other under the law.” This can cover a number of things from diverting company assets for personal use to embezzling company funds, acting in a controlling manner to exclude minority shareholders or violating your contractual obligations.
Typically, most disputes can be resolved through mediation or arbitration. These alternative dispute resolution methods offer more flexible procedures, quicker rulings and an emphasis on compromise. A qualified business litigation attorney can guide you through this process and find a workable solution that will keep your costs reasonable.
Sometimes a dispute can’t be resolved through negotiation and mediation or arbitration, especially when the damage is extensive. In these cases, a civil lawsuit may be necessary to preserve your business’s value and ensure your rights are protected. This is especially true when one partner is refusing to cooperate or has committed serious misconduct that tanked major accounts or harmed your company’s reputation.
If you need a skilled and experienced business partner dispute attorney to guide you through your legal options, contact our firm today. We have extensive experience representing business owners in all types of business disputes and can provide the representation you need to achieve a favorable outcome. We serve clients throughout New York City’s five boroughs, Long Island’s Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Westchester County and all surrounding areas.
A New York Business Partner Dispute Attorney
When a business partner disputes, it can be difficult to determine the most effective approach. Our team is prepared to guide you through the legal process as quickly and efficiently as possible to minimize disruptions. Our practice is dedicated to providing the highest level of service and has established a strong reputation for excellence in New York business disputes. We handle partnership disputes in all state courts, including the New York Supreme Courts in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Staten Island, as well as the New York State counties of Nassau and Suffolk, Westchester and Orange.