Are you concerned about a San Diego dispute over a business investment? Have you invested in a small business such as an LLC or an S Corporation or C Corporation? Unfortunately, investment related disputes are one of the most common forms of business litigation in Southern California. The Watkins Firm has more than 40 years of proven successful experience representing investors in business disputes and lawsuits.
A Dispute Over a Business Investment is Usually About One Thing: Money
In essence, a dispute over a business investment is about money. Often, the corporation you’ve invested in has failed to make agreed upon payments, disbursements or dividends. Majority interests will use all types of tactics in an attempt to ignore you, and conceal or restrict access to information regarding the books, accounting, financial reports and other important corporate information.
In many instances, this is an attempt to water down the value of the investment or to simply avoid payment. In some cases, majority interests may become involved in complex schemes, such as merging with another company, in order to wipe out the financial positions of minority investors and shareholders. After more than 40 years we’ve seen it all.
The good news is we can and will stand up for your interests and protect your financial position and rights as an investor and/or shareholder.
The Primary Strategies to Resolve These Types of Investor or Shareholder Disputes
The Watkins Firm takes a unique approach to these types of business disputes that is specifically designed to resolve them in a timely and cost-effective manner. You may be encouraged to learn that the Watkins Firm is able to resolve most investor/shareholder related disputes through effective, leveraged negotiation. This is the fastest and least expensive route to resolve the dispute at hand. We craft a strong demand letter citing the law and facts at hand while asserting your rights to access appropriate information within the company. We seek just compensation and additional protections going forward to preserve and protect your rights.
If negotiation does not resolve the dispute, a lawsuit is usually the next step. Once a lawsuit is filed the next major step is usually a “Settlement Conference” and/or business mediation. Mediation is a private, confidential environment that keeps you private financial and business information out of the public record. The mediator works between the parties providing insight into the specifics at hand and how California and federal law applies to the dispute. The mediator works to negotiate a resolution. The goal of mediation is a settlement agreement.
This is how most of the cases which are not resolved through effective, leveraged negotiation are resolved.
Most investment contracts specify arbitration as an alternative to a trial in a Court of Law. When mediation is not successful in resolving the dispute over a business investment we represent you in binding arbitration. Arbitration is a lot like a trial but much shorter, and without most of the superfluous motions of a trial. The arbitrator marshals the evidence and collects testimony over a matter of days, then renders a decision or award. The decision of the arbitrator cannot be appealed (except in very rare instances of fraud or collusion).
Contact the Experienced Investment Dispute Attorneys at the Watkins Firm
If you are involved in a dispute over a business investment in San Diego or Southern California the Watkins Firm has more than 40 years of proven, successful experience resolving these disputes while protecting our client’s goals and interests. We invite you to review our Podcast Episode 14 – Shareholders’ / Investors Rights and 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.
