Practices: Commercial Litigation

Commercial disputes over business transactions are a fact of life. They may involve complex issues of contract interpretation, public versus private development controversies, or disagreements among business partners. They can even center on criminal allegations of fraud, theft or unfair competition. Because the issues are so varied and the stakes often large, Ungaretti & Harris can give your company several distinct commercial litigation advantages – whether you’re a plaintiff or a defendant:

• A personal commitment that puts senior partners in the courtroom, representing you.
• A reputation for lean staffing that combines efficiency with a focus on your needs.
• Creative approaches to trial strategy that often find new ways of using the law and Uniform Commercial Code to your advantage.
• A real belief in trial team diversity that mirrors the concerns of in-house counsel.

Comprehensive Coverage

No matter what your commercial litigation need, we have the experience to handle it. Although complex contract disputes are a primary emphasis, you can also turn to us if you’re involved in a business controversy with regulatory officials. In one recent matter, an Illinois developer sought our help in a hotly contested eminent domain dispute with municipal officials involving the government’s attempt to block construction of low income, assisted housing. That kind of interference with business relationships and prospective economic advantage symbolizes the business tort claims that many companies ask us to pursue. Whether you need a temporary restraining order to enforce a non-compete agreement or a permanent injunction against competitors who stole sensitive customer information, we can secure the trial remedies necessary to protect your business interests.

Creative Strategy

A commercial dispute can arise between individual business partners, or multinational corporate giants. No matter which category describes your concern, you’ll find Ungaretti & Harris to be a skilled litigation partner to work with you to develop creative dispute resolution strategies. Here is a good example of what we can accomplish for any size business. We defended our client in a trade secret case in Illinois state court. During discovery it was found that our client had more than 150,000 backup computer tapes, which might contain information, stored and marked for destruction in an out-of-state warehouse. It would have cost over $1 million to restore and review the tapes. We successfully convinced the court to follow Second Circuit case law and shift this potential cost back on the requesting plaintiff. There was no reported Illinois case law on this e-discovery issue, and our success on the cost shifting led the plaintiffs to drop the discovery demand, and ultimately to settle for far below their original claim.

Competitive Advantage

Because experienced trial partners directly handle every case from start to finish, our clients get a creative strategy that other, less focused firms often overlook. Your commercial dispute will receive the same kind of commitment and attention, no matter what the stakes or points at issue. You get the sophisticated capabilities associated with large firms, with the competitive advantage that comes from attorneys who work closely with you and are committed to your success.