Litigation Lawyers in Seattle
In Seattle, Washington, "commercial litigation" refers to any legal dispute between business entities, arising from some type of business transaction, which ends up being settled through the legal system. It can arise in almost any situation, at any time.
Commercial litigation in Seattle, Washington is often very difficult and expensive, and while it often involves two businesses in a legal dispute, it can also come up between ordinary individuals, who never thought they'd get involved in Seattle, Washington commercial litigation.
Common Sources of Commercial Litigation in Seattle, Washington
Commercial Leases: Even though more businesses than ever are relying on the internet to sell their goods, the majority of small businesses in Seattle, Washington still have to operate from a physical location. The space from which most businesses operate is normally rented, and the terms of the rental agreement are documented in a contract called a commercial lease. These contracts, like any other, are sometimes breached. When, for instance, the tenant fails to pay rent on time, or the landlord fails to perform required building maintenance, a disagreement might arise, leading to commercial litigation.
Sales of Real Estate: If you're buying a house, office space, or a plot of land in Seattle, Washington, you're probably aware of the fact that something can go wrong at any stage of the process. Whether the seller's title is defective (they don't really have the ownership interest that they claim to be conveying to you), or there's a physical defect on the property that wasn't disclosed, commercial litigation might be the only option to resolve the disputes that such problems are likely to create.
Sale of Goods: The sale of personal property can also lead to commercial litigation in Seattle, Washington. This most typically comes up when a business is buying large volumes of products from a supplier, and the supplier fails to deliver them on time, or delivers the wrong goods, or the wrong quantity of goods. Usually, if the parties cannot resolve the problem between themselves, commercial litigation will result.
Business Loans: When a business is started up in Seattle, Washington, one of the first steps is normally to take out a loan from a bank. However, this is a difficult process, and there are many things that can go wrong. If the borrower fails to make the required payments, or the lender attempts to defraud the buyer, civil litigation is a strong possibility.
Breach of Contract: When a Seattle, Washington business agrees to provide something of value (a product or service) in exchange for something else of value (normally money), a contract is formed. A contract, put simply, is any agreement that the law will enforce. Contracts can be very simple, or incredibly complicated. In either case, if one party fails to perform under the terms of the contract, commercial litigation is one way to resolve the ensuing dispute.
How Can a Seattle, Washington Commercial Litigation Lawyer Help?
If you are operating a business in Seattle, Washington, it's probably pretty clear that commercial litigation can arise from almost any business deal, and that a dispute leading to litigation rarely comes at a proper moment. So, it's essential to be prepared for any reasonably likely commercial litigation scenario.
The best thing you can do on that front is retaining a reliable Seattle, Washington commercial litigation attorney. Your attorney can provide you with advice and information that, if followed, will help you avoid litigation in the first place. And, if litigation becomes unavoidable, a brilliant lawyer can give you the best possible chance of obtaining a favorable result in court.