Stage 3 of 4
Defend: when someone says they will sue
Most business disputes are about money and a contract. Most of them end with a letter, not a trial.
In the Defend stage we read the contract, the emails and the demand, and tell you plainly what the claim is worth and what it would cost to fight. Then we try to settle it on paper. When a case has to go to court, we take it there, with a written budget for each step.
What it covers
From the first letter to a courtroom
What each matter involves. Your quote comes in writing before any work begins.
- Quoted in writing
Demand letters
A letter that asks for what you are owed, or a reply to one you received, with the contract behind it.
- Estimate first
Owner and partner disputes
Buyouts, deadlocks and a partner who wants out, settled under your agreement where we can.
- Estimate first
Business lawsuits
Contract and payment claims in state and federal court, budgeted step by step.
How it runs
How a dispute moves
- 01
Step 1: Call, don't write
Deadlines may already be running. Tell us the date you received the demand or the papers.
- 02
Step 2: What it's worth
Within a week we tell you what the claim is likely worth and what each path would cost.
- 03
Step 3: Settle or file
We negotiate first. If it goes to court, every stage has its own estimate.
Questions when a claim arrives
Do you charge a flat fee for lawsuits?
No. Litigation depends on the other side, so we bill by the hour against a written estimate for each step, and tell you before we go over it.
Can you represent us against a former partner?
Yes, unless we have represented them too. We check for conflicts before the first call.
We were served papers. What now?
Call the office. Don't send the papers through the form, and don't contact the other side until we've spoken.
Got a demand letter?
Book a free 20-minute call with Lidia Hlavacek. You'll have a written quote that week.
The first call is free. It doesn't make us your lawyers; a signed engagement letter does.