Existing contracts versus expected business
Courts treat interference with an existing, enforceable contract differently from interference with business you expected to get. When a binding contract is involved, the focus is usually on whether the outsider knew about it and intentionally caused the other party to breach it. When the relationship had not yet become a contract, or the contract could be ended at will, New York generally requires more than hard competition; courts look for something like wrongful means, such as conduct that is itself unlawful, or actions taken solely to cause harm. That distinction often decides whether a claim survives an early motion. The same conduct may also support claims for breach of a restrictive covenant, misuse of confidential information, or unfair competition.
Evidence that connects conduct to loss
These cases need a clear link between what the defendant did and the business you lost. Contracts, purchase orders, and correspondence showing the relationship existed are a starting point. Messages from customers or partners explaining why they left, and anything showing the defendant's communications with them, are often central. Sales data before and after the interference helps measure the loss. If former employees are involved, review any agreements they signed, but ask before searching their accounts or devices, since how evidence is gathered can create its own legal issues.
Weighing a claim or a defense
In an early review we look at whether the relationship was a binding contract, whether the defendant knew about it, and what the defendant actually did. We also consider whether a quicker remedy, such as a cease-and-desist letter or a request for a court order, fits the situation better than a damages lawsuit. If you are the one accused of interference, we look at whether your conduct was ordinary competition or protected by your own legitimate business interests. Either way, we discuss what a lawsuit would cost, how long it would likely take, and what discovery would expose on both sides.
