Practice 03
Protect: when a deal or a partnership goes wrong
Most business disputes end without a trial. The work is finding out what your contract actually says, what it's worth to press, and the cheapest way to an outcome you can live with.
Contract disputes
A customer who won't pay, a vendor who didn't deliver, or a contract both sides read differently.
Demand letters
Sending one that gets a reply, or answering one without making things worse.
Partner and co-founder exits
Buyouts, departures and deadlocks between owners, using the agreement you have or negotiating the one you need.
Mediation and settlement
Preparing for mediation and negotiating a written settlement, with litigation counsel brought in if a case has to go to court.
What you leave with
A clear read, in writing
Before anything is sent to the other side, you get a short memo: what the documents say, your options, what each would cost and what I'd recommend.
A written assessment of your position
The options, with rough costs for each
Letters and responses drafted for your review
A signed settlement or exit agreement
Protect: common questions
Do you go to trial?
My practice is resolving disputes before they reach trial. If a matter needs to be litigated, I'll say so early and work with litigation counsel I trust.
Should I respond to a demand letter myself?
It's usually worth a short review first. What you write can be used later, and a careful reply often ends things faster.
My co-founder wants out. What happens now?
Start with your operating agreement or shareholders' agreement. It may already set the price and the process. If it doesn't, we negotiate one.
Something gone sideways?
Book a short intro call. You'll get a written scope and estimate before anything is billed.