What Should I Do If I Am Involved in Commercial Litigation?

If you are a small business owner, or own an interest in a larger enterprise, you will likely be involved in litigation at some point. It is very rare for a business owner to remain in business for long without facing some type of legal dispute. The longer you are in business, the better the odds that you will be named as a party to some type of commercial litigation. The first time this occurs (and it is likely to happen more than once) your first thought will likely be “What should I do if I am involved in commercial litigation?” Because every lawsuit presents a unique set of facts and circumstances it is in your best interest to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania commercial litigation attorney to determine what legal options you may have. I the meantime, however, it may help you to read through some common tips for anyone involved in commercial litigation.

1. Do not ignore the problem – the first time you are faced with a potential legal dispute your initial reaction may be to ignore the issue in the hope that the other party will lose interest and not pursue the matter. This is a huge mistake. Frequently, the best chance you have to resolve a dispute is before it becomes an actual lawsuit; however, that requires you to be proactive the moment you have reason to believe there is a potential dispute.
2. Attempt to resolve the issue peacefully – often, a dispute can be resolved through negotiation and compromise before it turns into litigation which will ultimately cost everyone involved a considerable amount of both time and money.
3. Document everything – make sure you keep a record of every communication you have with the other party (parties) involved in the potential litigation. Keep a record of the initial complaint and all offers to settle the issue. Basically, document everything and let your attorney decide what is important.
4. So not admit guilt or liability – it is always best to let your attorney handle a potential dispute from the beginning; however, if you communicate with the other party before you contact an attorney never admit guilt, wrongdoing, or liability. If you make an offer to settle the matter, do so without admitting anything.
5. Consult with a commercial litigation attorney – the moment a complaint or dispute appears to be anything more than a simple nuisance (and in a perfect world, even then) contact an experienced Pennsylvania commercial litigation attorney. Commercial litigation can become complicated and time consuming very fast. Trying to represent yourself will almost always ultimately cost you both time and money that could be better spent elsewhere in your business.

If you have additional questions concerning commercial litigation in Pennsylvania, contact an experienced Conshohocken, Pennsylvania commercial litigation attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options. Contact the commercial litigation attorneys at Curley & Rothman, LLC by calling 610-834-8819 today to schedule your free consultation.