It may surprise you to learn more than 50 percent of civil lawsuits involve a small business. Almost half of small businesses (just under 45%) are currently involved in litigation. The average resulting liability (damages) in these lawsuits is $54,000. Forbes recently noted that 90% of all businesses will be involved in a lawsuit at some point during the life of the company.
It isn’t a matter of “if,” it’s a matter of “when.” Therefore, it isn’t a matter of whether or not you will need an experienced San Diego business litigation attorney, it is a matter of “which one?”
The Watkins Firm has 40+ Years of Experience Successfully Resolving Business Disputes and Lawsuits
The Watkins Firm has 40+ years of experience successfully resolving business disputes and lawsuits in San Diego and across the country. We know that more than 50 percent of civil lawsuits involve a small business here in Southern California. The question really becomes, what is the fastest and least expensive strategy to resolve a business dispute or lawsuit while accomplishing our client’s goals and objectives?
The experienced business litigation and dispute resolution attorneys at the Watkins Firm take a unique approach to business litigation and disputes which is specifically designed to resolve these disputes in the shortest possible time frame and in a cost-effective manner. Your Watkins Firm attorney works quickly and efficiently to build a strong, thorough chronology and a mastery of potential financial damages. This provides the leverage to open productive negotiations.
The Watkins Firm is able to resolve the vast majority of our business disputes and lawsuits through effective, leveraged negotiation. Negotiation is the fastest and least expensive strategy to resolve any business dispute or litigation.
What happens when negotiations are not able to resolve all of the issues surrounding a business dispute? Usually, one of the parties files a lawsuit. The Judge in your case will work on scheduling a “settlement conference” to see if the parties can resolve the matter without going to trial. The settlement conference can and usually does move the process forward, but often there are still issues remaining between the parties.
What should you do if your company becomes involved in a business to business dispute involving a lawsuit? What does your small San Diego business need to know about business litigation and the best strategies for resolving a lawsuit involving your small business?
Business Mediation and Arbitration
When negotiation fails to resolve all or part of a matter, business mediation and arbitration are sound alternative methods to taking your case into a San Diego Court. This is especially true for a dispute or lawsuit involving a small to mid-sized business.
Mediation is a private, confidential legal process that keeps your business and financial information out of the public record while providing a structure to reach a settlement of the dispute at hand. The parties agree to a specific mediator who works to help each side to understand the strengths and weaknesses of their own case, as well as how similar cases usually turn out. The mediator works to help the parties to move toward resolution, suggest potential alternatives to resolve the matter and ultimately reach a “settlement agreement.” This is the point where the majority of those cases that were not resolved through negotiations conclude.
When there are substantial issues which remain unresolved after a Settlement Conference and/or mediation, most contracts specify binding arbitration as an alternative to trial. Again, the parties agree upon an expert arbitrator who has the power to establish the process and to marshal evidence and collect testimony. Arbitration is a lot like a compressed trial, and the matter will usually be finally resolved in a matter of days or weeks. The decision of the arbitrator is final in these cases and can almost never be appealed.
This is why it is important to work with the experienced business litigation resolution attorneys at the Watkins Firm. Our 40 year track record of successful trial outcomes in major business litigation and employer defense cases adds strength to your side of the equation. We don’t bill the way most law firms do. Our strategy is simple: accomplish your goals and objectives in the fastest and most efficient way possible.
You now know that more than 50 percent of civil lawsuits involve a small business and more than 90 percent of all businesses will face a serious business dispute or lawsuit at some point.
If you are concerned about a potential business dispute or lawsuit 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.
