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Business disputes can arise from broken agreements, alleged misrepresentations, ownership conflicts, and other disagreements that put a company's finances or operations at risk. The right response depends on the claim, the evidence, the applicable deadline, and whether the dispute can be resolved without prolonged litigation. Haffner Law represents plaintiffs and defendants in business disputes throughout California. We evaluate the facts, contracts, communications, and legal issues involved before determining an appropriate strategy for negotiation or litigation. Contact Haffner Law for a free, confidential case evaluation. What Business Litigation InvolvesBusiness litigation covers disputes involving the rights, obligations, and financial interests of businesses, owners, partners, shareholders, and other parties to a commercial relationship. Two common examples are contract and fraud claims. A California breach-of-contract claim generally requires a contract, the plaintiff's performance or a valid excuse for nonperformance, the defendant's breach, and resulting harm caused by that breach [1]. An intentional misrepresentation claim generally requires a false representation, knowledge of its falsity or reckless disregard for the truth, intent to induce reliance, reasonable reliance, and resulting harm caused by that reliance [2]. California law also recognizes other forms of fraud, including concealment and negligent misrepresentation, with their own elements. In most California civil cases, the party carrying the burden of proof generally must establish the fact at issue by a preponderance of the evidence — meaning the fact is more likely true than not true [3]. Related Business Dispute ServicesBelow are the areas this page covers directly, each with a link to the dedicated page.
Contract disputes, partnership and shareholder conflicts, and business fraud claims often overlap with the areas above — call us to discuss where your situation fits and how we can help. California Filing Deadlines for Business ClaimsDifferent business claims have different statutes of limitations. A claim for breach of a written contract generally must be filed within four years [5]. A claim involving an oral contract generally has a two-year limitations period [6]. A fraud claim generally must be brought within three years, although California law provides that the limitations period does not begin until the aggrieved party discovers the facts constituting the fraud [7]. California courts have also applied the discovery rule when determining when certain claims accrue [8]. Deadlines Can Shift: Tolling, delayed accrual, statutory stays, and other circumstances can affect the calculation in a particular case [9]. If the applicable period expires without an exception, the claim may be time-barred. Because the deadline depends on the specific legal claim and facts, an attorney should evaluate the limitations period that applies to the dispute rather than assuming every business case follows the same timeline. How a Business Dispute Moves ForwardNot every business disagreement follows the same path. The process depends on the nature of the claim, available evidence, the positions of the parties, and whether an early resolution is possible.
Haffner Law prepares each matter based on its facts and on the possibility that litigation may ultimately be necessary. Business Litigation Guides and ResourcesResources connected directly to the business-dispute process can help readers understand particular issues that may arise before or during litigation. Arbitration and Business DisputesOur Approach to Business LitigationHaffner Law is led by founder Joshua Haffner, who has spent over 20 years litigating complex disputes throughout California and was nominated as the 2012 Trial Lawyer of the Year by the Consumer Attorneys of California. He and the firm's trial-tested attorneys have obtained multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements across business litigation, class actions, and insurance bad faith cases. Meet the attorneys handling your case on our Our Attorneys page, or review our full record on Verdicts & Settlements. Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long do I have to file a business litigation claim in California?It depends on the claim. A breach of a written contract generally has a four-year limitations period [5], while an oral-contract claim generally has a two-year period [6]. Fraud claims generally have a three-year period measured from discovery of the facts constituting the fraud [7]. Other rules can affect when a deadline begins or whether it is suspended, so the limitations period should be evaluated based on the specific dispute. What if my business is being sued?Haffner Law represents both plaintiffs and defendants in business disputes. A defense strategy will depend on the allegations, the available evidence, the applicable law, and what outcome the business is seeking. Will my business dispute go to court?Not necessarily. Some business disputes resolve through negotiation or settlement. Others require litigation. Haffner Law evaluates each case based on its facts while preparing for the possibility that litigation may be necessary. Sources & Legal References
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Contact Haffner LawA business dispute can affect finances, operations, and important commercial relationships. Addressing the legal issues early can help clarify the available options and the deadlines that may apply. Contact Haffner Law for a free, confidential case evaluation at (213) 514-5681. To learn more about the firm, visit the Haffner Law homepage or find our office. Call (213) 514-5681 Now |
