Business Dispute Attorneys in White Plains, New York 

Any business may occasionally need help from an experienced attorney to handle a dispute or legal issue. Our business dispute attorneys at Rutkin & Wolf PLLC are known for their skill in handling complex legal matters in White Plains, New York, and neighboring areas, including New Rochelle, the Bronx, and Lower Westchester County.  

Whether you are trying to keep a dispute out of court, defend your business from a lawsuit, or file a lawsuit against someone else, we can help. We take a proactive approach to representing our clients and protecting their interests. Our job is to develop a tailored, unique strategy that fits your specific circumstances to resolve your dispute in the most effective and efficient way possible.  

Common Types of Business Disputes  

Most of the time, lawsuits by or against a business do not appear out of thin air. There is usually a certain factor or combination of factors that cause or contribute to business litigation. Some of the most common types of business disputes include:  

• Employment (labor) disputes. If a business has employees, disputes may eventually arise. If not dealt with promptly and effectively, an employment dispute could lead to litigation. These disputes may arise when employees do not follow the company rules. Employees may also file lawsuits against their employer for wrongful termination, harassment, retaliation, improper payment of wages, and other violations.  

• Disputes between businesses. When two or more businesses collaborate to work on a shared goal and profit from it, legal issues and disputes may arise, especially when their collaboration is not backed up by well-crafted contracts and agreements.  

• Contract disputes. Even if there is a contract in place, disputes may arise if one of the parties to the contract fails to fulfill its contractual obligations. In fact, practically everything in the business world is regulated by contracts, which is why breach of contract cases are so common in business litigation.  

• Partnership disputes. As the name implies, these disputes arise when partners disagree on the direction of the business, their financial compensation, or other issues.   

• Shareholder disputes. When there is a disagreement between two or more shareholders, the business can take a downward trajectory. Typically, shareholder disagreements are related to conflicts of interest, management decisions, breach of fiduciary duty, debts, and other matters.   

Every type of business dispute could eventually end up in court if not resolved promptly and properly. Business litigation may not be the only option available for resolving disputes, however. 

Business Litigation & Contract Disputes 

Contract disputes are among the most common business litigation issues. While some contract disputes are resolved out of court, others require court involvement. Commercial disputes may involve the following types of contracts: 

• Non-compete agreement 

• Commercial lease   

• Consumer contract 

• Sale of goods contract 

• Non-disclosure agreement 

• Employment contract 

• Indemnity agreement 

No matter what caused the dispute, resolving it usually requires the parties to review the terms of the contract to understand what was agreed upon and which contractual obligations each party had.  

There are four elements that must be established to prove a breach of contract claim: 

1. The existence of a valid contract; 

2. The complaining party performed their part of the contract; 

3. The non-compliant party failed to fulfill their obligations under the contract; and 

4. The complaining party sustained damages because of the non-compliant party’s breach.  

In New York, a breach of contract claim can be asserted within six years from the date of the breach. If you are dealing with a contract dispute, contact our knowledgeable business dispute attorneys in White Plains, New York, to discuss your options for resolving the dispute.  

Options for Resolving a Dispute  

There are several options for resolving a business dispute. Not all of them may apply to your particular situation, so you’ll need to consult with an experienced business litigation attorney to decide what would work best for you. The three most common options for resolving business disputes are: 

• Mediation. Mediation involves working with a neutral third party – the mediator – who helps the parties reach an agreement. The mediator cannot provide legal advice or force parties to accept a solution. Instead, the mediator’s job is to facilitate negotiations between the parties.  

• Arbitration. Alternatively, a dispute can be submitted to one arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators to make a binding decision on the matter. Unlike mediators, who do not have decision-making authority, arbitrators can render binding decisions for the parties.  

• Litigation. Typically, businesses prefer mediation or arbitration as cheaper, faster, and more private alternatives to litigation. However, if a dispute cannot be resolved through either mediation or arbitration, the parties will usually go to court to let the judge or jury resolve the matter for them.  

If you are not sure what would be the best option for resolving your business dispute, consult with an experienced lawyer. The attorneys at Rutkin & Wolf PLLC can help you understand your options and take effective action to protect your business. We will help you every step of the way to fight for your rights and interests.