Business disputes are high-stakes and time-sensitive. Latif Law provides experienced commercial litigation representation for companies, owners, and investors facing disputes in Franklin County and throughout Central Ohio.
Conflicts between business partners or LLC members over management authority, profit distributions, capital contributions, and buyout provisions under Ohio's LLC Act (R.C. Chapter 1706).
Claims against partners, officers, or directors who acted in their own interest at the company's expense — self-dealing, misappropriating opportunities, unauthorized competition, or diverting business assets.
Protecting confidential business information under the Ohio Uniform Trade Secrets Act (R.C. §1333.61). Includes emergency injunctive relief to stop disclosure before it causes irreparable harm.
Enforcing non-compete and non-solicitation agreements against departing employees or partners — or defending employees and companies against overbroad restrictions under Ohio's reasonableness standard.
Claims for fraudulent inducement, fraudulent misrepresentation, and negligent misrepresentation arising from business transactions, acquisitions, and investment representations.
Protecting minority owners from oppression, freeze-outs, and unfair dilution. Ohio courts recognize minority shareholder rights and can order dissolution or buyout at fair value.
Pursuing unpaid invoices, judgments, and promissory notes — including post-judgment collection through bank levies, wage garnishments, and judgment liens on real property.
Claims under the Ohio Deceptive Trade Practices Act and common law unfair competition — including tortious interference with business relationships and customer diversion.
Business disputes rarely improve with time. A conflict between partners that is not addressed contractually often escalates into full-scale litigation. A departing employee taking trade secrets becomes harder to stop once the damage is done. A commercial debt becomes uncollectible once the debtor has transferred or spent assets.
Early attorney involvement accomplishes several things: it preserves evidence through litigation holds; it positions you for credible negotiation; it allows injunctive relief to be sought before harm becomes irreversible; and it ensures that any pre-litigation actions you take do not inadvertently waive rights or expose you to counterclaims.
Most significant business disputes in Columbus are filed in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, General Division (345 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215). Cases involving amounts up to $15,000 may be handled in the Franklin County Municipal Court. Federal business disputes — including those involving federal statutes, securities law, or parties from different states — are filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division (85 Marconi Blvd., Columbus, OH 43215).
Franklin County Common Pleas has experienced commercial judges who are familiar with Ohio business law. Cases in the General Division currently take approximately 12–18 months from filing to trial. Most disputes resolve through pre-trial motions or mediation before reaching that stage.
Hire a litigation attorney when: you receive a demand letter or lawsuit; a business partner is acting outside the operating agreement; a former employee or competitor is soliciting your clients or misusing confidential information; a vendor or customer owes significant amounts and will not pay; or you face claims that could materially expose the business. Early involvement prevents mistakes that complicate later litigation.
Yes. Claims against partners typically involve breach of fiduciary duty, breach of the operating or partnership agreement, misappropriation of business assets, and unlawful competition. Remedies include damages, an accounting, court-ordered dissolution, and a buyout at fair value. Ohio LLCs are governed by R.C. Chapter 1706 and the terms of their operating agreement.
Partners, LLC members, and corporate officers owe duties of loyalty and care to the business. A breach occurs when someone in a position of trust acts in their own interest at the company's expense — diverting business opportunities, self-dealing, secretly competing, sharing confidential information with competitors, or misappropriating company funds.
Mediation is voluntary and non-binding — a neutral mediator helps parties reach a settlement. Either party can walk away. Arbitration is adjudicative — an arbitrator hears evidence and issues a binding award. Many commercial contracts require mandatory arbitration. If your contract has an arbitration clause, you generally cannot sue in court. We handle both proceedings.
Early legal guidance is the most cost-effective investment in a business conflict. Schedule a consultation to evaluate your position and options.