Tag: business disputes

Business legal services in Silicon Valley

The Dangers of Trying to Resolve Business Disputes on Your Own

On behalf of The Law Office of Lynnette Ariathurai, A Professional Corporation posted in Contract Disputes on Tuesday, May 24, 2016.

One of the most common mistakes that small businesses make is trying to resolve disputes on their own. In an effort to save money – and thinking that the issue or conflict will simply go away – many small business owners do not take a proactive approach to dispute resolution.

Disputes don’t just go away. Particularly if the opposing party hires a lawyer of their own. It is critical that you take potential legal issues seriously and work with a trusted business law attorney to resolve the dispute as quickly as possible, protecting your long-term interests.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when faced with the threat of business conflict:

If you are contacted by an attorney of an opposing party, respond only through your own lawyer. Anything that you say in response will be evidentiary. You run the risk of accidentally making a statement that could cost you significantly or misspeaking in a way that can be used against you. Immediately contact your lawyer and only communicate through legal representation.

Be aware of disgruntled employees. If you suspect that an employee is upset for any type of employment law or human resources related matter, immediately seek the counsel of your attorney. You may have made a mistake or error that could result in a lawsuit. A lawyer can help you resolve the matter before it escalates.

Make sure that you understand your contracts and agreements in place.Hopefully you have worked with a skilled business law attorney in advance to create a contractual infrastructure that will protect the business in case of conflict. If you sense that a dispute is coming, review these contracts with your attorney and address any weaknesses immediately.

Do not try to make any under the table agreements. Far too many business owners try to make problems go away by throwing money at them or negotiating foolish agreements on their own. Always seek the guidance of a lawyer before making an agreement. Allow your attorney to conduct prudent negotiations on your behalf.

Remember that mistakes you make during disputes could come back to haunt you. Each decision you make during this period of time is critical and an error could have long-term implications – some could sink the business.

The Law Office of Lynette Ariathurai partners closely with businesses throughout the Bay Area to ensure they make sound decisions and provides strategies that resolve disputes efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. Take conflict seriously and seek trusted legal guidance. Click here for more information.

business disputes, Contract Disputes, employee disputes, partner disputes

Protect Your Small Business from Disruptive Litigation

On behalf of The Law Office of Lynnette Ariathurai, A Professional Corporationposted in Business Formation & Planning on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.

One of the greatest fears that many small business owners have is the potential to be sued. If they have set up the proper legal entities and worked with an attorney to structure their business in a prudent manner, lawsuits and litigation do not mean that the business is at risk of being wiped out.

Lawsuits are dangerous to a business, nonetheless. Studies find that even if the business wins the lawsuit, lawsuits still weigh heavily on the balance sheet. Additionally, litigation diverts the business owner’s time and attention away from operations, developing the business, growing and ultimately making money. In some cases, businesses often adapt their operations and change the way they do business to make up for time and resources lost on the lawsuit.

If there is a threat of a lawsuit, be proactive. Do not wait for the opposing party to take legal action. Contact a skilled business law attorney immediately. If handled proactively, your lawyer can start negotiations and help you avoid going to court.

These are things you need to look for in a business law attorney to protect your business and the toll that a drawn out lawsuit could take:

Choose an attorney who takes the time to understand your business model – Your attorney should be familiar with your day to day operations, your plans for growth, the relationships you rely upon, the relationships you hope to make and your financial situation. The more time your attorney spends becoming familiar with the bones of your business, the more customized the legal solutions can be and the better the outcome of the matter.

Choose an attorney who is not afraid to go to litigation – While the goal is to avoid court, sometimes it becomes unavoidable. Make sure that your lawyer has the experience to handle complex litigation – and is prepared to take the case to court, if necessary.

Choose an attorney who is willing to partner with you – The insight your attorney gains about your company through the course of the lawsuit will be invaluable for years to come. This firm can then partner with you through the future to create the legal structures and policies that will mitigate the risk of future legal battles – and create a foundation for long-term growth.

Attorney Lynnette Ariathurai is trusted by businesses throughout the Fremont area, including Hayward, Union City, Milpitas, Castro Valley, and Newark, CA. She invests the time and resources needed to understand her clients’ businesses from the inside out and provides solutions and strategies for a sound legal foundation that will facilitate growth.

business disputes, Business Formation & Planning, lawsuit, legal partner, litigation