Any dispute between California business partners requires prompt and cost-effective resolution to protect the interests of the company and the relationship of the parties involved.  The business dispute resolution attorneys at the Watkins Firm have more than four decades of experience here in San Diego, taking a unique approach to partnership disputes designed to resolve matters quickly and efficiently.

The key in a partnership dispute is to quickly identify the core issues while helping to repair the relationships of the parties when possible.  Business partners are often family members or close friends and it is not unusual for spouses and other family members and friends to be a part of the social circle affected by the dispute itself.  While the factors affecting the dispute between San Diego business partners can be multi-faceted our attorneys help to re-focus the conversation on the best interests of the company while preserving ongoing business operations.  We work to diffuse the dispute, help the parties to find common ground and recommend alternative solutions that have worked for other business partners who have faced similar circumstances in the past.

When necessary, mediation can be a valuable tool to resolve a dispute between California business partners quickly and affordably.  The mediator will further help to provide a calm and productive working atmosphere while issues associated with the dispute are identified and clarified.

There are often hidden resentments and sub-issues which cloud the dispute.  One partner may feel they are doing more work or bringing in more business than the other.  In other cases the business may have grown past the capacity of one or more of the partners requiring the consideration of bringing in new employees or an executive with extensive experience.  Structuring these relationships, the division of profit and incentive programs for new key players requires legal skill and business acumen.  The attorneys at the Watkins Firm contribute the benefit of more than 40 years of experience, extensive legal skill and expertise as well as business advice and counsel.

Pro-Tip: “Negotiations between two people who are partners are are often complicated by personal relationship matters. And when you talk with somebody like your wife, like anyone, anyone you’ve had any kind of relationship with just because you believe what you’re saying is correct. That doesn’t mean there’s not emotion involved there, right? And you have to understand that. So person to person negotiations can only go so far. And then when you have somebody speaking representative to representative, well, the two representatives aren’t going to have hurt feelings. We’re going to be able to work past hurt feelings and look at the bottom dollar line. And also look at the bottom line with business going forward, seeing if there’s a way to heal it, or if there’s nothing to heal, giving our client good advice.

Resolving business disputes and issues between partners comes down to a thorough understanding of the facts and the potential damages. The law of the damages is key, because that gives your lawyer more ability to predict what would happen if you went to trial tomorrow and you won, what would you win? That’s it, that’s the number. Cause in civil court, we’re only looking about dollar amounts now getting there and understanding human nature. That’s another thing, right? Preparation for my clients has to do with damages, the law, damages, and the facts, getting all the facts down so that we have things to say and then informing the client on their options moving forward. We cannot just go in there, and here’s the saddest part and say, here’s the right number. Here’s what I’ll settle for. I’m done talking. That doesn’t work. It should. Okay. We believe we’re, we’re all intelligent people. And if we all are intelligent people, we should be able to look at the facts. If we agree on the facts, apply law and come up with the exact same number. Like it’s an accounting problem, but it doesn’t work that way. People are not wired that way.

That’s why you need an old, experienced and proven business dispute attorney.” – Dan Watkins, Founding Partner

If you are involved in a dispute between California business partners we invite you to review our podcast Episode 11 – Resolving Business Disputes as well as the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.