Commercial Litigation
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When a business relationship breaks down, you need a clear read on the risk and a plan to contain it.
Commercial disputes rarely start in court. They start with a missed shipment, an unpaid invoice, a partner who stops returning calls. Our litigation group steps in at that first moment of friction and helps you decide what the dispute is really worth, what it could cost to pursue, and which outcome protects the business you want to be running a year from now.
We represent Ohio manufacturers, distributors, software companies, lenders and closely held businesses in state and federal courts and in private arbitration. Our trial lawyers prepare every matter as though it will be heard by a judge or jury, because that preparation is what gives you leverage at the negotiating table. Most of our cases end in a negotiated resolution; the ones that do not are ready to try.
Capabilities
Our litigators handle the full life of a business dispute, from early assessment through appeal. Open any area to see how we typically approach it.
Breach of contract claims, volume commitments, pricing disagreements and warranty failures. We start by reading the agreement the way a court will, then build the record that supports your reading of it.
Ask about thisDeadlocked owners, disputed buyouts and claims of breached fiduciary duty inside closely held companies, handled with an eye on keeping the business operating while the dispute runs.
Ask about thisInterference with contracts, misappropriated trade secrets, unfair competition and fraud claims, brought or defended with early injunction work where time matters.
Ask about thisPrivate forums often move faster and stay confidential. We draft for them, argue in them, and know when a mediated settlement is the stronger result.
Ask about thisFocused briefing and oral argument before Ohio appellate courts and the Sixth Circuit, either for our own trial matters or as appellate counsel brought in afterward.
Ask about thisWhy choose us
Clients stay with us because we treat a lawsuit as a business decision first and a legal contest second.
Trial-ready from day one
We build every file as if it will go to verdict, which is what makes settlement talks productive.
Budget you can plan around
Phased estimates at the start, and a call from us before any phase runs over.
One partner, start to finish
The attorney who takes your first call stays responsible for the matter to its end.
Plain written updates
A short status note after every material event, written for owners rather than lawyers.
Litigation results
How similar disputes have ended
- 01.Enforcing a supply agreement for a manufacturerCommercial litigation2025
- 02.Guiding a family distributor through its saleMergers & acquisitions2025
- 03.Resolving a multi-site wage and hour reviewEmployment2025
- 04.Defending a software vendor in a license disputeCommercial litigation2024
Illustrative matters for this demo firm. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Litigation FAQ
Business dispute questions
Still have a question?
If your situation is not covered here, call the office or send a short note and a partner will reply.
Contact usAs soon as a dispute looks like it may not resolve on its own. An early call often lets us preserve evidence, send a well framed demand, and avoid mistakes in correspondence that are hard to walk back later.
Often, yes. Many of our matters end through negotiation or mediation before a complaint is filed. We recommend filing only when it improves your position or protects a deadline.
Most business disputes are billed hourly against a phased budget we agree with you at the start. For some matters we can discuss capped phases or blended arrangements.
The contract or agreement at issue, key emails and letters, invoices or payment records, and a short timeline in your own words. That is enough for a useful first conversation.
A dispute is easier to steer early
Most business conflicts are cheaper to contain in their first month than their tenth. Tell us where things stand and we will map out your options.