Clear Reliable Advice in a Competitive Business Environment
We are problem solvers. Most of our clients do not expect to make money through litigation. They ask us to protect them from conduct by employees or competitors that makes litigation necessary. With many years of experience, we serve our clients best by documenting their key business relationships clearly so that litigation is not necessary. We know that problems are not identified in advance; employees lose sight of legal principles and act impulsively and make poor choices; sometimes key agreements are not in writing; and occasionally business relationships change in unexpected ways tempting competitors or employees to flout their agreements or violate the law. We solve problems through reliable and clear analysis of applicable law. When litigation is necessary, we pursue it aggressively, always keeping our client's business objectives in focus. That is, we never lose sight of the bottom line.
Employment Relationships
Preparation of policies and agreements preserving flexibility and ensuring clarity in employment relationships.
Safeguarding Business Assets Preparation of agreements to protect business assets including non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements, confidentiality agreements, non-raiding agreements and intellectual property agreements. Evaluating Business Risks and Threats Assessing business risks including review of franchise relationships, distributorship agreements, antitrust problems and unfair competition.
Problem Solving
Problems in the Workplace Analyze and respond to workplace employment problems including sexual harassment claims, requests for accommodation of disability, workplace violence and termination decisions.
Competition by Former Employees Evaluate and respond to business threats including departure of employees with knowledge of trade secrets, competition by former employees and raiding by former employees or competitors.
Unfair Trade Practices Investigate and respond to unfair business practices including interference with contract relationships, unauthorized use of trademarks, commercial disparagement, modification or termination of key business agreements.
Litigation
Defense of Employment Claims Defense of employment related litigation including claims of wrongful discharge, wage and hour violations, quasi-contract, discrimination and breach of contract.
Business Assets Litigation over non-competition agreements, non-solicitation agreements, non-raiding agreements, license agreements and disclosure of trade secrets.
Unfair Trade Practices Resolution of unfair trade practice claims including antitrust, trademark, commercial disparagement and interference with business relationships.
Fraudulent Practices Litigation of anti-fraud claims including Consumer Protection Act, RICO, corporate oppression, franchise and securities claims.
Contract Disputes Major contract disputes including commercial lease claims, real estate development disputes and partnership divisions.
Paul J. Dayton, Commercial Dispute Resolution Group Chair
