Business Torts and Contract Disputes

BUSINESS TORTS AND CONTRACT DISPUTES

Contract Disputes and Business Tort Claims

As business litigators, we have successfully handled disputes arising from a wide array of contracts. These include:

• Loan agreements
• Insurance policies
• Employment contracts, including non-competes, non-solicitation agreements and confidentiality agreements
• Agreements for the sale of a business
• Purchase and sale agreements for commercial properties
• Governing agreements for small businesses, such as limited liability company operating agreements, shareholder agreements and partnership agreements
• Contracts for the sale of goods and services, and ancillary agreements such as service contracts and warranties
• Agreements that govern business relationships, such as supply and distribution agreements, franchise agreements and licensing agreements

How a Business Torts Lawyer Can Protect Your Business Interests

Cases involving former employees.

We have represented plaintiffs and defendants in numerous cases involving alleged misconduct on the part of former employees. Many such cases arise when an employee joins, or establishes, a competing business. Aside from possible contract claims, such as violation of a covenant not to compete, cases in this category often involve business tort claims.

For example, if an employee plans to change jobs, and solicits the company’s customers for the benefit of the anticipated new employer, that may be a breach of the employee’s duty of loyalty. Other business tort claims that may arise in this context include:

• Misappropriation of trade secrets or other confidential information
• Computer crime, such as misappropriating or destroying the former employer’s electronic information
• Tortious interference with business relations

O’Sullivan McCormack Jensen & Bliss has litigated many cases of this type.

Cases between business partners.

Business partners, whether organized as a partnership, limited liability company or closely held corporation, owe fiduciary duties to each other and to the business entity. We have handled numerous cases involving alleged breaches of fiduciary duty and related claims within the ownership of a small business.

Civil theft, embezzlement and conversion.

We have obtained six-figure and seven-figure judgments against employees and others who have misappropriated money entrusted to them.

Cases between business competitors.

We have successfully litigated cases involving allegations of fraud, unfair trade practice, unfair competition, misappropriation of trademarks, and commercial defamation.

O’Sullivan McCormack Jensen & Bliss handles matters in and around Hartford, Middletown, New Haven, and all other parts of Connecticut. We litigate cases in the state and federal trial courts and appellate courts. A number of our attorneys are also admitted and represent clients in Massachusetts courts.