Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation
Justin Ledden, Civil Litigation Attorney
Commercial litigation is something of a catch-all term that encompasses pretty much any type of dispute related to business issues. Common causes of action here include breach of contract, misrepresentation, fraud, unfair business practices, and a variety of causes of action considered to be the domain of more specialized fields of civil law. For example, aspects of intellectual property law, employment law, bankruptcy law, and even the body of law and procedure related to collections often come into play in what is at base a commercial litigation matter. Depending on the issues within a given matter, it may therefore be a good idea to seek out an attorney with strong experience in such fields -- within state, federal, and bankruptcy courts.
With high costs and sometimes questionable efficacy, "straight litigation" is not always the right pathway to achieving the best result. In fact, sometimes, it's simply the easiest way to drive legal fees through the stratosphere! At various stages of litigation, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is often worth considering. Choices here include simple negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. Courts everywhere are smartly encouraging ADR with ever-increasing fervor, so it pays to have an attorney to who has the will and experience to know when and how to use ADR options effectively.
And for many commercial disputes, litigation isn't actually necessary at all -- some persuasive tactics before court documents start flying around can save loads of time, money, and stress. If you've got a business dispute, it's important to seek out an attorney who has a demonstrated track record of resolving disputes before they get to court. This is often a time for creative, out-of-the-box solutions tailored to the particularities of your matter – understanding not merely the law but the overarching realities of each situation. Ledden Law Office makes an effort to understand your matter thoroughly from the start.
Of course, an early resolution is only sometimes in the cards: perhaps the issues are too complicated, at times the other side is too unreasonable, or simply refuses to communicate effectively or at all -- in which case litigation may be the best choice. Once litigation commences, it is advisable to have an experienced, thoughtful, and resourceful litigator at your side – an aggressive and proactive strategist who anticipates opposing arguments and is prepared to deal with them. Ledden Law Office endeavors to do precisely this, and results have come accordingly.