Business Litigation Attorney | Michigan Commercial Disputes
Whether you are defending your business from a lawsuit, facing an internal dispute, or having difficulties with collecting on a judgement, that legal issue is taking precious time away from your day-to-day duties. You can take back ownership of your time and energy by hiring a legal team who will work hard to get the results you need while keeping the focus on the things that matter most to you and your company.
A business dispute in Michigan can quickly escalate to litigation, putting your financial and professional interests at stake. Whether you’re accused of minority member oppression, have a disagreement with your partner, or believe a vendor has breached the terms of its contract with you, seek guidance from an experienced attorney who will calmly come alongside, partnering with you to resolve the issues at hand.
At Head Murphy Law, we understand that you take pride in your business and simply want to put your best foot forward. Our skilled Michigan attorneys are here to do the legwork needed to get you through whatever legal dispute you are facing, so you can get back to what you do best.
From our Farmington Hills office location, we provide legal representation to individuals, corporations, and businesses throughout Michigan. Contact us to schedule a free initial case review with one of our skilled business litigation lawyers. Once you’ve told us your situation, we will educate you about your possible options and potential solutions.
When your business has a claim or faces a legal dispute, don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance. Head Murphy Law is all about helping corporate clients retain control of their businesses during the difficult times. Our skilled lawyers want to provide you peace of mind, allowing you to rest assured that we’ve got your back. You can expect us to:
Litigation can put your business’ finances and reputation at risk, and your choice of legal representation in a legal dispute may make the difference in protecting your company’s future. At Head Murphy Law, we try to stand out from the crowd by taking a more personal approach to our practice. Our business clients are never numbers – they are real people dealing with real issues that affect both their personal and professional lives. We offer:
At Head Murphy Law, our business litigation attorneys have extensive experience representing companies and individuals in the following types of business disputes.
In closely held businesses, partners, members, or shareholders that own less than a majority of the equity or voting interests may claim that the majority owner(s) or the company’s board of directors or officers has engaged in a pattern of oppression against minority owners. Minority equity holder oppression can take many forms, such as:
In some cases, minority owners may have legal remedies under state law, such as statutory inspection rights for books and records or a statutory appraisal process to value their interests for a buyout. Minority owner oppression can also lead to claims of breach of fiduciary duties.
Our Michigan law firm also represents partners and partnerships in litigation over legal disputes, including:
State law grants partners certain statutory rights, including the right to inspect and copy the partnership’s books and records. Partnership litigation may involve efforts by a partner to compel the partnership to grant them their rights under state law or the partnership agreement. However, litigation may also pursue relief from other alleged misconduct by fellow partners or the partnership. Such relief may include:
The attorneys at Head Murphy Law have extensive experience assisting businesspeople and companies with collecting compensation awarded by judgments in business litigation. Sometimes, you may face challenges in recovering the money awarded to you in a litigation judgment, as a defendant may refuse to pay the judgment and may try to conceal assets to prevent their seizure to satisfy the judgment. When this happens, you may need experienced legal counsel to help you respond to concerted efforts to avoid paying your or your business the judgment awarded to you.
Our law firm also represents parties involved in disputes regarding vendor contracts. Businesses need vendor agreements to ensure they receive the goods and services required to operate. However, vendor contract disputes can arise from alleged issues such as:
Contract disputes may lead to litigation seeking various forms of relief, such as monetary compensation, disgorgement of ill-gotten profits, rescission (cancellation) of the contract, reformation of the agreement, or specific performance (a court order requiring a party to perform contractual obligations).
Our business litigation clients often have questions that our attorneys are well-equipped to answer. Reach out to Head Murphy Law to get the clarity and insight you need.
Frequent causes of legal disputes among shareholders or business partners include:
Many business litigation cases begin when a party with a claim sends a demand letter to the opposing party. A demand letter sets forth the claimant’s allegations, the evidence purportedly supporting them, and the relief sought (e.g., financial compensation or a court order requiring the opposing party to refrain from specific actions). When you or your company receives a demand letter, steps you should take to put yourself in the most advantageous position to respond include:
Sometimes, you may seek injunctive relief through business litigation. Injunctive relief arises from a court order that directs a party to take one or more specific actions or to refrain from such acts. Courts may order two types of injunctive relief: temporary injunctive relief, which occurs during litigation, and permanent injunctive relief, which usually follows a judgment in the claimant’s favor.
Courts usually order temporary injunctive relief to maintain the status quo between parties until the litigation concludes and the court awards relief (if any). For temporary injunctive relief, you must demonstrate a likelihood of success in the underlying claims in your case and prove that you would suffer irreparable harm in the absence of injunctive relief (harm that the court cannot remedy following a judgment in your favor). For permanent injunctive relief, you must succeed on the merits of your claim and show that other forms of legal relief, such as financial compensation, will not provide an adequate remedy for the harm you or your business has suffered.
When you decide to buy out a business partner’s interest, your agreements with your partner (e.g., bylaws, shareholders’ agreements, operating agreements, partnership agreements, etc.) may establish a method under which you will assess the business’ value and thereby determine the value of the partner’s interest. If you and your partner have not agreed on a valuation method, you may need to retain independent appraisers who can provide an opinion on the company’s fair market value.
Each business litigation claim has an associated statute of limitations which sets a deadline for a party to file a lawsuit in court to assert that claim. Different claims have different limitation periods, ranging from a year to more than a decade. Furthermore, parties may contractually agree to a different limitations period under certain circumstances. Various legal doctrines can also extend the time a party has to file a claim. Because different deadlines can apply to other business litigation claims, you should consult a lawyer as soon as possible after you discover that you or your company may have a claim to give yourself the best chance of filing your claim on time.
Business litigation can have a significantly disruptive effect on your company’s operations and growth. This makes it critical to work with a trusted legal counselor who can help you pursue an efficient, fair resolution.
Contact Head Murphy Law today for a free, confidential consultation with an experienced lawyer who will provide you with knowledgeable guidance and experienced advocacy you need and the collaboration and understanding you seek in a partner.
Practice Areas
