The disputes that fill the docket
General commercial litigation usually involves breach of contract, unpaid accounts, disputes over the quality of goods or services, guaranties, commercial leases, and claims about lost business. Many of these cases look straightforward on paper but prove difficult in practice because the contract was informal, amended by email, or never signed at all. In New York, larger business disputes can be heard in the Commercial Division of the Supreme Court, which has its own rules and expectations about efficient case management, while smaller matters may go to other courts. Contracts sometimes require mediation, arbitration, or suit in a specific state, and those clauses are usually enforced. Identifying the correct forum and claim early avoids wasted motion practice.
The paper trail behind the claim
Collect the contract and every version of it, purchase orders, invoices, delivery records, and the emails that show what each side expected and when problems were raised. Ordinary business records often tell the story better than recollection does. Once a dispute is reasonably anticipated, both sides generally need to preserve relevant documents and stop routine deletion. Think about whether damages can be documented with numbers rather than estimates, since lost profits are often difficult to prove. Keep copies of any demand letters exchanged, because they frame the dispute and can matter to claims for interest or fees.
Deciding whether the case is worth it
Litigation costs money and management time, and the right answer depends partly on whether the other side can pay a judgment. When you bring us a dispute, we weigh the strength of the claim, the defenses you should expect, whether the contract allows recovery of legal fees, and the likely path through the court. We also talk about early options, from a carefully written demand or a negotiated payment plan to mediation. If you are the defendant, we look at counterclaims and insurance. The goal is a decision you make with a clear view of cost, time, and collectability.
