A business deal often begins with a simple conversation. You and the other party talk through the price, the schedule and the scope of the work, and you may even shake hands before anyone drafts a single page. Once the parties begin drafting a formal contract, you...
Your Partners In Pursuing Justice
Contract Disputes
How the courts offer immediate breach of contract relief
Business litigation can take many months to resolve. Once a business files a petition requesting a hearing in court, it can take weeks, if not months, for the company to actually have its day in court. It may take even longer for a judge to return their final ruling...
Why verbal contracts put your small business at risk
Running a small business in Ohio means making countless agreements every day. Many trust verbal agreements to save time and build relationships. While this approach feels personal, it can put your business at significant risk. When disputes arise, those friendly...
Can verbal deals risk your business in Ohio?
After years of hard work, you have built a successful construction business. Navigating operations can involve a quick verbal agreement, which can feel efficient when you are meeting stringent deadlines. However, the legal landscape on handshake deals can turn an...
Can a material breach invalidate a contract?
Contract disputes often begin with allegations of a breach by one party. If a vendor fails to deliver goods, a service provider does not meet contractual standards or a client organization fails to render payment, those breaches of a written agreement can have...
Does your partnership agreement need a “shotgun” clause?
When two business partners own equal shares of a company, the arrangement often begins with optimism. Equal ownership can feel fair, balanced and collaborative. Each partner has an equal voice, equal financial stake and equal authority over major decisions. But when...
Fraud versus breach of contract: What’s the difference?
When a deal goes bad or unravels, the parties involved often describe the situation in moral terms, using words like “dishonest,” “deceptive” or “fraudulent.” While those descriptions may feel accurate on a personal level, the legal distinction between fraud and...
How do you enforce a contract when the other party is not performing?
When your business (like most) relies on its agreements, there are few things more frustrating than holding up your end of a contract while the other party simply… doesn’t. Maybe the other party stopped communicating, maybe they missed a critical deadline – or maybe...
3 considerations in a contract dispute
Issues with a contract are frequent in business. They can occur in even the best of relationships. Whether a contract breach by another party is major or minor, it is wise to bear the following three things in mind. These can help you determine how best to respond. 1....
The hidden dangers of boilerplate clauses in business contracts
There are all kinds of sample contracts available online, and most of them seem like they follow an authoritative and standard pattern with all the language one might expect in a formal agreement. “Standard,” however, doesn’t mean that a contract is truly useful (or...