Mobile Business Lawyers

The Potential Impact of a Business Dispute

Business issues do not have to turn into lawsuits to be damaging. Even if the issue remains mostly in-house or is handled through your insurer, your business’s reputation could suffer. In turn, there could be lost investment opportunities or denied loan applications. The dispute could also impact employee morale. Unhappy employees contribute to reduced productivity and higher turnover rates, which will only hurt your bottom line.

Beyond civil business disputes, some issues can lead to government investigations and criminal charges. Your business could face significant fines, and depending on the issue, you and other owners or officers could be penalized.

Some disputes may even have harsher consequences, such as putting you out of business. Depending on what went wrong and how you handle it, you could go bankrupt or lose your license to operate.

Considering all the potential consequences of a mishandled business dispute, it is clear that your best course of action is to obtain as much information as possible and gain an experienced and objective opinion about how to handle the issue. At Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C., our Mobile business lawyers are ready to do just that.

Our Mobile Business Lawyers Handle a Wide Range of Business Issues

Our business lawyers are ready to represent your interests in Mobile. We have years of experience and have handled a wide range of business disputes, including:

• Contract disputes- Businesses use contracts for all sorts of reasons. You may have an agreement with all or higher-level employees. You may use a standard agreement for your vendors. You might also have an agreement with your clients or customers. When your business enters into any of these contracts, it must uphold its end. Your business can enforce the other party’s obligations, as well. If another party is not living up to the agreement or you are being accused of a breach, contact a lawyer right away.
• Tortious interference– With only a few exceptions, every individual and business has the right to form contracts without interference. If another party has evidence that you knowingly and intentionally interfered with another party’s right to form a contract, then you need to learn how to defend against tortious interference. If another party interfered with your ability to form a binding agreement, contact us as soon as possible.
• Shareholder disputes- The rights and obligations of the shareholders, the owners of the business, should be carefully outlined in a shareholder agreement. However, even well-drafted stockholder agreements can miss something. If you foresee a shareholder dispute or one has come up, get experienced legal counsel from one of our Mobile business lawyers right away.
• Accounting malpractice- Like doctors and lawyers, accountants have a legal standard to uphold in regard to the services they provide their clients. If your business’s accountants failed to uphold this standard, they may be guilty of malpractice. If accounting malpractice occurred, your business may have a claim against the accountants. However, if this caused your business to hurt another party, you may need to prepare a defense. Contact our Mobile business lawyers to learn more.
• False claims– It is illegal under the False Claims Act (FCA) to knowingly submit false or fraudulent claims to the government. You can be prosecuted under the FCA by the government, or a whistleblower can file a qui tam suite against you on behalf of the government. If you find yourself a defendant in a qui tam suit, contact Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. to discuss your defense options.
• Business Fraud– The term fraud covers a number of civil and criminal issues regarding intentional lying and misrepresentations used for financial gain. If your business has been accused of fraud, contact a business attorney right away. If this fraud caused harm to someone outside the business, then you need to protect the organization’s interests. If the fraud injured the business, then contact one of our Mobile business lawyers to learn about your rights and options.
• Unfair competition- The U.S. promotes an open market where competition is encouraged. If there is evidence that you unfairly reduce competition, such as pushing competitors out of business or making it impossible to enter the market, your business could face significant consequences. Whether you have been accused of unfair competition or believe another business is guilty of this practice, contact Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. today.
• Deceptive trade practices- Your business is prohibited for participating in deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable trade or commerce by federal law and the Alabama Deceptive Trade Practices Act. If you find yourself at the wrong end of deceptive trade practices accusations, call our Mobile business lawyers right away.
• Intellectual property theft- Depending on your business model, your company may own patents and have trademarked and copyrighted materials. If another individual or business uses these for financial gain without permission, contact an attorney to learn about your rights and options.

Let Our Mobile Business Lawyers Help Your Organization Today

No matter what issue your business is facing, Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. is here to help. You may be a highly experienced and accomplished business professional. You may even be an expert in your field. However, you may not have the knowledge or skills you need regarding this particular civil or criminal business dispute. With more than 65 years of collective experience at our firm, we have probably seen this type of dispute before.

For more information about the issue you are facing and how we can help, contact the Mobile business lawyers of Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C. at (205) 933-1500 for a free, initial case consultation.