LITIGATION

Contracts and Business Torts

Our attorneys routinely litigate complex contract-related actions for both plaintiff and defendants, ranging from disputes over custom software that did not perform as promised to claims that a competitor induced an employee to breach a confidentiality agreement. Contract disputes frequently involve business tort claims, such as intentional interference with contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, unfair competition, antitrust violations and infringement of intellectual property rights. We have a wide-ranging practice in these areas. Our diverse contract and business tort litigation practice includes the representation of clients including financial institutions, technology firms, investment advisers, broker-dealers, real estate concerns, partnerships, close corporations and individuals. We have extensive experience in partnership and corporate dissolutions, and the numerous contract, tort and valuation disputes that these cases generate.

In contract and business tort disputes, a key question is the remedies that are available and how quickly they can be obtained. Factors to consider include the availability of (and advisability of seeking) injunctive relief, the extent to which consequential damages can be proven, whether the broader range of tort remedies may be available and the possibility of recovering attorneys’ fees. We not only provide our best advice and litigation skills to evaluating and pursuing all available remedies in the case at hand, but consider and address our client’s overall business and personal goals.

From initial consultation through the appellate process, our litigation experience informs our role as counselors. We know that litigation is not always the preferred alternative, and when appropriate, we counsel our clients to seek a business resolution, whether through informal negotiation or a more formal alternative dispute resolution practice. Circumstances sometimes dictate a more aggressive approach, however, and we have the trial and appellate experience necessary to take a case to trial, and beyond.

HIGHLIGHTS

Seven Shartsis Friese partners were chosen as The Best Lawyers in America 2009 by Woodward/White, Inc. more >>

Charles R. Rice LITIGATION STRATEGY
by Chip Rice

Most lawyers find it hard to get excited about preparing for a direct examination of a friendly witness. It’s not nearly as much fun as cross-examination or oral argument or any other task that allows us to be the center of attention. more >>

Originally published in The Recorder

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