How do I Resolve a Business Dispute in Irvine?
In the process of doing business, it is very common for disputes to arise. When they do, you need to know how to resolve the problem as quickly as possible so you can continue operations and so the success of your business is not adversely affected. The important thing is to consider the right solution both for the short-term and the long-term as you work to overcome your disagreement.
The right steps to take to resolve a business dispute in Irvine will depend upon the nature of the dispute, who is involved in the conflict, the severity of the issues at stake and whether the parties who are in disagreement need to continue to work together. An experienced Irvine, CA business law professional at Brown & Charbonneau, LLP can provide assistance in resolving a business dispute, so call today to speak with an attorney who can help you.
How to Resolve a Business Dispute in Irvine
The first step in resolving a dispute that arises in your business is to refer to any relevant documents that were created when you started the company. This could include:
- Articles of incorporation
- A corporate charter
- A partnership agreement
- An employment agreement
- A business plan
- An operating agreement
These documents and other paperwork that you may draft and sign when you start a business can set the parameter for how the company should operate. If the dispute gives one party authority over the decision or squarely places the disputed issues within the scope of one party’s job, then that person should exercise his authority to make the decision and resolve the disagreement. Likewise, a contract or agreement may also specify how a transaction is to take place. If any startup paperwork, contracts or agreements explain the terms and conditions of your business relationship and are relevant to the dispute, these agreements should determine the resolution.
If there is no written document that the disputing parties have signed that specifies how to resolve the disagreement, there are also other ways to resolve a business dispute in Irvine. For example, one option may be to turn to mediation. Mediation works best when the disagreeing parties are willing to compromise and work together to find a solution. It is a good choice for resolving disputes if parties need to continue to work together, such as when a disagreement arises between business partners or between a seller and a distributor. The mediator helps the parties to communicate so that an agreement can be reached that takes everyone’s interests into account.
Alternatives to mediation include arbitration and litigation, both of which are more adversarial and which typically end up with a winner and a loser. These options can undermine the strength of a business relationship, but may become necessary if there is no other way to settle a disagreement. An experienced attorney can help you to make a compelling argument to an arbitrator or a judge. There may be multiple different types of legal cases that can arise from a business dispute, ranging from breach of contract to breach of fiduciary duty.
Brown & Charbonneau, LLP can provide guidance and insight in situations where clients are involved in a business dispute that they need help resolving. Call today to speak with an Irvine business law professional who can represent you.
