Litigation Lawyers in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, "commercial litigation" refers to any legal disagreement 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.
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin commercial litigation can be very complicated and costly. While it typically involves two business in a legal dispute with one another, it might also arise between ordinary individuals who were engaged in an informal business transaction (such as someone selling a car to her neighbor), and never would have guessed that they might be thrown into a commercial litigation case in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Common Sources of Commercial Litigation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Commercial Leases: Despite the rise of the Internet, and e-commerce, most businesses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin still need a physical location to operate. This space is usually rented from another party, under terms laid out in a commercial lease. These leases can lead to disputes, if one party breaks them, such as by failing to pay rent on time, failure to provide access to the property under the agreed-upon terms, etc.
Sales of Real Estate: Whether you're buying a house, an office building, or a vacant lot in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, there are plenty of things that can go awry in the process. For example, the seller might fail to disclose an easement on the property, or a physical defect, which you only discover after the sale is final. Or, if you're the seller, the buyer might fail to pay on time. Such mishaps are almost certain to cause a dispute, and if the parties cannot resolve it amongst themselves, commercial litigation might be the only option.
Sale of Goods: It's far more common for individuals to buy personal property, rather than real estate, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. And, like any transaction, the sale of goods can lead to civil litigation if one of the parties feels that the other did not perform under the agreed-upon terms. For example, if a buyer fails to pay the agreed price for the goods, or the seller delivers a late, defective, or incomplete order, there is going to be a dispute. In some cases, these disputes lead to commercial litigation.
Business Loans: When someone starts a small business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, they usually don't have the money to fund its start-up and first few years of operation. So, the first step is often getting a loan from a bank. However, if the business fails, and the borrower can't make payments, or the lender engages in some type of unlawful conduct, the aggrieved party is going to seek redress. In some cases, the parties will have to resort to civil litigation to resolve their dispute.
Breach of Contract: Whenever a business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin agrees to provide a product or service in exchange for something of value (usually money), a legally-binding agreement, called a "contract," is formed. If either party fails to perform their end of the bargain, they have breached the contract, and commercial litigation is a possible way to settle the dispute.
How Can a Milwaukee, Wisconsin Commercial Litigation Lawyer Help?
If you have a business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, it should by now be obvious that there are many different situations from which commercial litigation can arise, and it rarely happens when it's expected. So, it's always smart to have a plan in place (and money or insurance set aside, if possible) to resolve a commercial litigation issue, should it arise.
And the best thing you can do on that front is to take steps to minimize the chances of disputes leading to commercial litigation in the first place. Commercial lawyers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin can be very helpful with that. By advising you of your legal rights and obligations, your attorney can help you avoid making the mistakes that lead to legal disputes in the first place.