Business Disputes & Commercial Litigation

When business relationships break down, the stakes are often existential. I handle disputes between business partners, contract breaches, vendor failures, and competitive interference. The goal is resolution, not a five-year legal odyssey.

Types of Business Disputes I Handle

• Partnership & member disputes: Deadlocks, breach of fiduciary duty, unauthorized distributions, freeze-outs, and forced dissolution. Pennsylvania provides for judicial dissolution of an LLC when it is not reasonably practicable to carry on the company's activities in conformity with the certificate of organization and operating agreement, which a deadlock can produce, or when those in control act illegally, fraudulently, or oppressively (15 Pa.C.S. § 8871(a)(4)).
• Breach of contract: Non-payment, failure to deliver goods/services, breach of warranty, and anticipatory breach
• Non-compete enforcement/defense: Emergency injunctive relief to enforce or challenge restrictive covenants
• Trade secret misappropriation: Under the PA Uniform Trade Secrets Act: injunctive relief plus damages including unjust enrichment
• Fraud & misrepresentation: In business transactions, asset purchases, and investment representations
• Shareholder derivative actions: When officers or directors breach their fiduciary duties to the corporation
• Commercial landlord-tenant disputes: Lease interpretation, CAM disputes, and commercial evictions
• Construction disputes: Payment disputes, defective work, mechanic's liens, and contractor-subcontractor claims

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Many commercial contracts require mediation or arbitration before litigation. I represent clients in both forums. Mediation is faster and less expensive than litigation and preserves business relationships. Arbitration is binding but can be faster than court, though its costs (arbitrator fees alone can exceed $10,000) sometimes make it less economical for smaller disputes. If your contract has an arbitration clause, Pennsylvania courts will generally enforce it, though it can still be challenged on the same grounds that would invalidate any other contract, such as fraud, duress, or unconscionability. Review your agreements now to understand what you have agreed to.

Legal and factual content on this page was last verified: Sept. 2026. If you are reading this significantly after that date, confirm key provisions with current statute text or contact our office.