Understanding the practical aspects of business litigation is key for owners looking to utilize legal services. While major lawsuits are rare occurrences in a company’s lifespan, legal counsel is most effective when used as a proactive tool.

One key strategy is the “one-way ratchet” approach of involving a lawyer early to prevent disputes from escalating. By bringing in an attorney at an early stage, a business can create a buffer that allows for strategic game planning without the pressure of immediate commitments.

There is also the common challenge of managing accounts receivable and debt collection. Our firm offers blended fee structures and contingency options so business owners can recover unpaid bills without wasting valuable time. This allows entrepreneurs to stay focused on running their operations while professionals handle the recovery process.

Learn more about Sean M. Sweeney here.

You can learn more about our Business Litigation practice as well as some of the specific kinds of case we work on, including High-States Commercial Litigation, Strategic Products Liability Defense, Trade-Secret Litigation and Corporate Shareholder or LLC Member Disputes.

TRANSCRIPT:

“When discussing business litigation services with a business owner, I focus on the practical considerations you will face. While a major lawsuit might only happen once in a business’s lifespan, and you certainly need to find good counsel to navigate the costs and procedures, there are other more practical services lawyers provide.

We can often help solve a problem early on. There is significant benefit in having a lawyer involved at an early stage to prevent an issue from escalating into major, overblown litigation. I tell clients that involving a lawyer is like a one-way ratchet; if you can’t resolve it on your own, you take that next step. This has benefits because we are never put on the spot. We can always say we need to talk to the client, meaning we never have to commit to anything at first blush. We can create a game plan and then work to solve the problem.

Another area of interest for business clients is help with accounts receivable and collections. For these, you have to make a cost-benefit decision. We often handle these on various types of blended fees, usually including a contingency where we get a portion of what is recovered. Most businesses don’t have the time or inclination to chase clients who haven’t paid their bills. Getting a portion of the payment back is better than nothing, and it is certainly better than wasting your time chasing it when you should be focusing on running your business.”