BUSINESS DISPUTE ATTORNEY IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

Disputes—both foreseen and unexpected—are an inevitable part of running a business. However, when a dispute is not handled properly, it can have a serious impact on your business and its bottom line.  

A skilled attorney on your side is key to successfully arguing or defending your case when disputes arise. At Engel Professional Association, our Minneapolis business attorney helps companies of all industries and sizes resolve their disputes through exceptional legal representation and strategic counsel. For more than 20 years, we have proudly served businesses in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and other parts of Minnesota, including St. Cloud, Mankato, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.  

When you’re entangled in a dispute, don’t wait to get legal help. Contact us today to schedule a time to talk.  

Common Causes of Business Disputes  

A business dispute can arise for a variety of reasons, including: 

• Breach of contract 

• Disputes among partners or shareholders 

• Breach of fiduciary duty 

• Intellectual property infringement 

• Embezzlement 

• Misuse of business assets 

• Employment issues 

• Professional negligence 

Regardless of how complex or simple your conflict may seem, you should consider meeting with an experienced business law attorney to explore your options for resolving the dispute to ensure the best possible outcome.  

Ways to Resolve Business Disputes

While there are several ways to resolve your business dispute, the primary goal is to avoid the need to engage in costly, lengthy, and unpredictable litigation. Possible dispute resolution methods include: 

1. Negotiation. In some cases, it may be possible to resolve a business dispute by engaging in negotiations. This approach is usually more effective in the early stages of the dispute.  

2. Mediation. When negotiation alone does not help resolve the dispute, parties can try mediation, which is a slightly more formal dispute resolution method. In mediation, the disputing parties select a neutral, third-party mediator whose job is to facilitate communication to help the parties find common ground.  

3. Arbitration. Many business contracts contain an arbitration clause, which requires the parties to submit their disputes to arbitration. In arbitration, an arbitrator or a panel of arbitrators is appointed to decide the dispute. Compared to litigation, arbitration is a more private process because disputes are handled outside of the court system.  

4. Litigation. Litigation is a lawsuit between the disputing parties. However, since disputes in litigation move through the court system, this dispute resolution option may be expensive and time-consuming, not to mention that litigation is almost always public and the parties do not have control over the outcome.  

Which of these options is more appropriate will depend on the nature and complexity of the business dispute as well as the parties’ willingness to negotiate and compromise.  

Business Dissolution Due to Disputes

In certain cases, a dispute within a company may result in the dissolution of the business. However, business dissolution should be a last resort because it terminates the existence of the company, which is rarely the desired outcome.  

Our business disputes attorney at Engel Professional Association can help you find ways to try to resolve your issue without having to close your business or going to court. We are committed to helping clients resolve their disputes in their favor while keeping the expenses at a minimum.  

How Can a Business Disputes Attorney Help?

At Engel Professional Association, our goal is to help our clients avoid litigation and prioritize alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods such as negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. However, when going to court is unavoidable, we are prepared to represent our client’s interests at every stage of the litigation process. Our services include: 

• Help clients understand the risks associated with the dispute in question and explain how to mitigate those risks. 

• Assess the various dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration before filing a lawsuit. 

• Negotiate with the other party on behalf of the client to reach a favorable outcome for the client. 

• Gather and preserve the necessary documents to resolve the dispute. 

• If the dispute cannot be resolved outside of court, prepare the client for litigation. 

Attorney Kenneth S. Engel has been providing reliable and results-driven representation to clients in Minneapolis and surrounding areas in Minnesota for more than two decades. We know what is at stake when such disputes arise and are ready to fight in pursuit of a positive resolution.