Civil Litigation
Being an experienced litigator means not only understanding the legal elements and defenses of a case, but being able to bring that matter to a resolution in a timely manner. We have a broad civil litigation practice, including the following areas:

Commercial Litigation: Parties enter into contracts believing that the relationship will be harmonious. Unfortunately, over time, parties may disagree on the nature of the agreement or whether the contract has been performed to satisfaction. We can provide representation in a contract dispute, whether the other party is in breach or you are accused of breaching.

Insurance Coverage Disputes: The wording of insurance policies is often unclear to an insured – it may even be unclear to the insurance company who drafted the language, or to unrelated insurance companies that are seeking contribution from your carrier. We represent both insureds and insurance companies in resolving questions about their rights and duties under an insurance policy.

Noncompetition Agreements: Noncompetition agreements are common in many employment settings. There are strict limits on the restrictions that may be contained in noncompetition agreements, including limits on the geographic area of the restriction, the length of time that a restriction is effective, and even the types of jobs that may be subject to any sort of restriction. Unfortunately, some employers require their employees to sign excessively broad noncompetition agreements, or try to apply them unfairly. We assist employees in determining their legal rights under such agreements and negotiation or, if necessary, litigating with the employer to limit such agreements to their legal extent. We also can review agreements prior to signing, and work to negotiate changes.

Automobile Accidents: People who are injured in automobile accidents may have “first-party” claims against their insurance companies for medical expenses, wage loss, replacement services and attendant care benefits, as well as potential “third party” claims against the individual who caused the automobile accidents. These matters are governed by inflexible rules set forth in the statutes and caselaw. If you have been injured in an automobile accident, we can help you protect your claims to your no-fault benefits or a third party recovery.

Consumer Protection: In order to prevent identity theft and credit card fraud, the Fair Credit Reporting Act provides that no person that accepts credit cards or debit cards for the transaction of business shall print more than the last five digits of the card number or the expiration date upon any receipt provided to the cardholder at the point of sale transaction. If a merchant provides a receipt that violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act, it could be liable for statutory penalties from $100 to $1,000 as well as attorneys’ fees and costs.