How should you effectively manage a dispute between business partners or members in an LLC in San Diego or anywhere in California? A dispute between business owners is actually quite complex. There are critical relationships involved. There are employees, customers and vendors who play a role in the “business” at hand. Part of the answer to that question lies in the relationship of the parties themselves. The greatest portion of your strategy should be guided by business common sense, the time/value of money and the reality of business litigation here in San Diego.
The process of taking a business dispute through San Diego courts requires many months, usually much longer than a year. Business litigation is slow, emotionally draining, distracting to the daily operations of your company, and frankly quite expensive. The Watkins Firm has helped business owners and partners to resolve disputes, even disputes that seem too far gone for resolution, for more than four decades here in San Diego. Our unique approach to litigation ensures that your goals are clear, and a step-by-step strategy is developed and implemented to achieve those objectives as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Efficiently Resolving a Dispute Between Business Partners or Members in an LLC
What is the key to efficiently resolving a dispute between business partners or members in an LLC? It may surprise you to learn the Watkins Firm is able to resolve most business disputes between owners of a company through effective, leveraged negotiation.
What are core issues? What factors led to the dispute and what steps can be taken to provide the space required to resolve the matter? Your Watkins Firm attorney has decades of experience in these emotionally charged, high stakes disputes. We work to build a well documented chronology of events as well as the nature and amount of potential damages associated with the dispute. These tools provide leverage as we open negotiations and work toward a resolution.
The nature of the relationship may define the process used to effectively manage a dispute between business owners in San Diego. If the relationship is too far gone, it may be necessary to negotiate a buy-out of one or more of the partners. The operating agreement or corporate documents should establish the process for valuation of the ownership interest, protection of voting rights and percentages, triggers for the event and how the transaction will be structured.
If these details are not contained within the corporate documents they must be negotiated. In some cases, mediation is an effective alternative to litigation as it provides a venue for the parties to resolve areas of dispute with the guidance of a neutral and experienced third party.
In our experience, it is not unusual for us to find common ground and actually resolve the differences between co-owners who thought things were too far gone. As in any relationship, when business partners are able to find common ground, work through the dispute and find a resolution, that experience increases the strength of the bond between them. The removal of petty issues and genuine areas of principled disagreement can create the clean air necessary to refuel the business fire in both parties, and move things forward.
How do you effectively manage the process while resolving a dispute between business partners or members in an LLC? One carefully planned step at a time. 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.
Learn about our unique approach to resolving disputes, and the track record of success we bring to these situations. We will apply all of our business and legal experience and skill to ensure that you achieve the best possible outcome, and help to develop a resolution to accomplish your goals and objectives in a timely and cost-effective manner.
