Owning and operating a business can be an extremely rewarding experience. When disputes arise, they must be handled delicately because of how much is at stake. If fraud is overlooked or a conflict over provisions of a contract are mishandled, money can be lost and businesses can fail. The intricacies of business litigation can be a challenge to navigate even for the most accomplished executives. Consulting with an experienced Baltimore business litigation attorney is a wise choice no matter how trivial the dispute may seem. If you are in the middle of a business dispute, the business advisory attorneys at the Heyman Law Firm can walk you through the necessary steps to reach a resolution.
What are Common Business Disputes that the Heyman Law Firm Has Litigated?
The best-case scenario for resolving a business dispute would be for parties to have a quick meeting where everyone comes to a mutually beneficial agreement. Unfortunately, this is not a common occurrence in the business world and many conflicts are not handled so easily. The attorneys at the Heyman Law Firm offer assistance with alternative dispute resolution when clients do not wish to engage in litigation. If out-of-court negotiations are unsuccessful, it is important to consult with a skilled business litigation attorney to develop the best plan of action going forward. Some of the most common business disputes we have handled include:
- Defamation, libel and slander
- Intellectual property and trade secrets disputes
- Trusts & estates and fiduciary litigation
- Breach of contract
- Real estate and lease disputes
- Employment disputes and non-compete agreements
- Shareholder and intra-corporate disputes
If you are unsure about whether your dispute falls under one of the categories listed above, call the Heyman Law Firm and schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your dispute with one of our business litigation attorneys.
Why is it Important to Retain a Business Litigation Attorney?
Business owners are typically proactive, independent people. How else would they be able to competently manage a company? When a dispute arises, it is tempting to use “self-help” methods to try and reach a resolution. The saying goes that it is better to be safe than sorry. Conflicts in business, no matter how small, can avalanche into corporate ruin. This can cost business owners time, money, and resources that they often don’t have. Attorneys with business expertise can offer guidance about how to reach resolution in the most efficient and cost-friendly ways possible. It is up to you to protect your legal rights, and a skilled Maryland business advisory attorney is an essential tool in pursuing your claims.
How Much Time do I Have to Pursue my Claim?
If you have a dispute that you need resolved, it is imperative that you are aware of the timeline for pursuing your particular claim. Not all business disputes are the same, and the Maryland statute of limitations will vary depending on the type of conflict you are involved in. Claims in Maryland involving fraud, contracts, and collection of rent and debt have a three year statute of limitations. This means that an individual who is pursuing any of these causes of action has three years from the date of the event giving rise to the claim to file in court. Claims for slander or libel have a one year statute of limitations. Thus, an individual pursuing either of these causes of action has one year from the date of the event giving rise to the claim to file.
Trusts & estates and fiduciary litigation is a little more complicated. There is a one year statute of limitations for claims against a personal representative of an estate. This does not include rights to recover for material mistake, fraud, or substantial irregularity. If a person is seeking to recover property that was improperly distributed, or its value, he or she is barred from filing at the later of:
- Three years from the decedent’s death; or
- One year from the time the property was distributed
If you are unsure about whether your dispute has exceeded the statute of limitations, contact a business litigation attorney right away. Time goes by quickly, and it would be unfortunate to lose the chance to pursue your claim due to the statute of limitations.
Baltimore Business Dispute Attorney
At the Heyman Law Firm, our attorneys understand that no two business disputes are the same, and they pride themselves in providing legal services that are specially tailored to each individual client. If you are involved in a business dispute, contact the Heyman Law firm right away. Whether you want to give alternative dispute resolution a try or you are interested in litigating your case, consulting with an experienced attorney can put you in an optimal position to reach a resolution. Call (410) 305-9287 today to schedule a confidential consultation with a lawyer who can develop the best strategy to suit your business needs.