Los Angeles Business & Corporate Litigation Attorney
Practical Guidance for Los Angeles Businesses Facing Disputes
Business disputes rarely start with something dramatic. They often begin with something small, a payment that’s late, a partner making decisions you didn’t expect, a competitor crossing a line, or a communication breakdown that doesn’t get resolved. At first, it’s frustrating. Then, slowly, the problem grows until it starts affecting your operations, relationships, and plans.
Clients come to us at the point where the issue is no longer a minor inconvenience. Maybe your cash flow is tightening, employees are feeling the tension, or a disagreement is starting to influence day-to-day responsibilities. Our role is to sit with you, look at the situation from a business owner’s perspective, understand what is happening legally and practically, and set about creating paths to favorable resolution.
The Law Office of Shanen R. Prout represents businesses across Los Angeles in complex legal disputes, guiding owners, executives, partners, and companies through litigation in California superior and federal courts across the state.
Our Experience in Business & Corporate Litigation
Business disputes touch multiple parts of a business. A contract issue might affect revenue projections. A partner disagreement can influence how teams operate. A misleading online statement may reach customers far faster than expected. Copyright and trademark infringement often affects advertising and marketing operations.
We help clients manage disputes at every stage—from early claims analysis and negotiation, to pre-litigation positioning, pleadings, discovery, motion practice, and through trial when necessary. We also assist companies respond to subpoenas, document requests, and regulatory inquiries and investigations.
Every dispute has two sides: the legal story and the business story. We find that addressing both is what usually brings a legal dispute or litigation to a satisfactory conclusion.
Business & Corporate Litigation Services in Los Angeles
Contract Disputes in Los Angeles
Contract issues usually develop before anyone calls it a “dispute.” Communication slows, terms are interpreted differently, deadlines slip, or one party relies on contract language the other didn’t anticipate.
We help clients work through:
- Breaches of contract;
- Breaches of warranty involving product performance or goods;
- Disputes under the California Commercial Code; and
- Interference with existing agreements by outside parties.
Our review focuses on what was expected, what occurred, and how the outcome has affected your operations.
Defamation & Related Claims in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, a single false statement can spread quickly—sometimes faster than the truth. When someone publishes false information about your business or the quality of your products or services, the financial and reputational impact can be immediate.
We assist with:
- Defamation involving false statements of fact;
- Trade libel targeting goods or services;
- Slander of title affecting business property or ownership; and
- Bringing and defending against anti-SLAPP (strategic lawsuits against public participation) motions.
These matters require attention to both legal standards and real-world damage, and we walk clients through each step.
Fraud & Misappropriation in Los Angeles
Fraud often starts with a communication or detail that doesn’t add up—a transaction no one expected, an inconsistency in financial records, or an explanation that is incomplete. Once reviewed closely, the situation often becomes more serious.
We help clients address:
- Fraud, concealment, and misuse of assets;
- Corporate fraud involving reporting or internal controls;
- Financial fraud involving commingling, diversion or misappropriation of funds; and
- Commercial fraud connected to deals or negotiations in the sale or disposition of assets and businesses.
These cases rely on careful review of records, emails, communications, and agreements, which we handle with you systematically.
Breach of Duties & Related Liability in Los Angeles
Leaders and managers carry responsibilities that go beyond daily tasks. When someone with authority acts outside their duties or in a way that harms the business, the effects can spread throughout the organization.
We assist with:
- Breach of fiduciary duty;
- Breach of confidence involving sensitive business information;
- Alter-ego and successor liability;
- Aiding-and-abetting and agency issues; and
- Vicarious liability questions.
Our review focuses on who made key decisions, how authority was exercised, and how the conduct influenced the company’s direction.
Breach of Duties and Liabilities
Breach of duties and liabilities involve failures in trust and responsibility. These breaches can lead to legal consequences and financial losses. Breach of fiduciary duties occurs when someone in a position of trust fails to act in the best interests of those they owe the duty to, often seen in corporate governance. Breach of the implied obligation of confidence involves unauthorized disclosure or misuse of confidential information. Legal theories like alter ego, successor liability, and de facto merger address situations where individuals or entities are held liable for the actions or obligations of another to prevent fraud or injustice. Agency theories and aiding and abetting claims focus on holding parties accountable for acting on behalf of or conspiring with others in wrongful acts. Vicarious liability and ratification theories involve holding one party liable for the actions of another, typically within the scope of employment or agency relationships. We handle:
- Breach of Fiduciary Duties: When someone in a position of trust fails to act in the best interests of those they owe the duty to, often seen in corporate governance.
- Breach of the Implied Obligation of Confidence: Involves unauthorized disclosure or misuse of confidential information.
- Alter Ego; Successor Liability; De Facto Merger: Legal theories addressing situations where individuals or entities are held liable for the actions or obligations of another to prevent fraud or injustice.
- Agency Theories and Aiding and Abetting Claims: Holding parties accountable for acting on behalf of or conspiring with others in wrongful acts.
- Vicarious Liability and Ratification Theories: Holding one party liable for the actions of another, typically within the scope of employment or agency relationships.
Business and Partnership Disputes
Business and partnership disputes arise from conflicts within business entities. These disputes can significantly impact the functioning and success of a business. Partnership, corporation, and LLC disputes include founders’ disputes, business separations, and “business divorces” where partners or shareholders have irreconcilable differences. Actions against officers, directors, and managers involve holding them accountable for breaches of duty or misconduct. Shareholders’ suits and derivative claims address grievances against corporate management, including allegations of shareholder oppression. The dissolution of corporations, LLCs, and partnerships involves winding up business affairs and resolving financial obligations. Hostile takeovers and aggressive buy-out attempts involve efforts to gain control of a company, often against the wishes of its current management or shareholders. Our services include:
- Partnership, Corporation, and LLC Disputes: Founders’ disputes, business separations, and “business divorces” where partners or shareholders have irreconcilable differences.
- Actions Against Officers, Directors, and Managers: Holding them accountable for breaches of duty or misconduct.
- Shareholders Suits, Derivative Claims, Shareholder Oppression: Address grievances against corporate management, including allegations of shareholder oppression.
- Dissolution of Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships: Winding up business affairs and resolving financial obligations.
- Hostile Takeovers and Aggressive Buy-Out Attempts: Efforts to gain control of a company, often against the wishes of its current management or shareholders.
FAQ – Business & Corporate Litigation in Los Angeles
1. What types of disputes do Los Angeles businesses typically face?
Most matters involve contract disagreements, partner or shareholder conflicts, misused financial information, or conduct that disrupts business operations. These issues grow quickly and benefit from early legal guidance.
2. When should I contact a business litigation attorney?
Reach out when the issue begins affecting daily operations, client relationships, or your business partnerships. Early steps often prevent larger financial losses.
3. Can you help if someone gains unauthorized access to my company information?
Yes, perhaps. Unauthorized access to financial information, personal information, or confidential data may support legal action. Quick action can limit risk.
4. What if someone makes false statements about my products or services?
Document what was said and how it affected your reputation or sales. We can review the statements and explain how California business law applies to your situation.
5. How are disputes between business partners handled?
Partner conflicts often involve questions about duties, control, or financial decisions. We help clients understand the laws and practical options for moving forward.
6. Can you assist if my business suffered financial losses from someone else’s actions?
Yes, perhaps. Many matters involve fraud, diverted funds, or decisions that caused measurable financial losses. We review the facts and outline possible paths.
7. What should I do if personal or customer information was misused?
Preserve all records and contact us promptly. Misused personal data, including customer information or social security numbers, can lead to serious financial and legal consequences.
8. Are disputes involving confidential business information common?
Very. Many conflicts involve internal strategies, financial data, or operational plans being shared without approval. These matters require quick response to protect competitive advantages.
9. Can a business take legal action if a competitor crosses a legal boundary?
Yes, perhaps. If a competitor interferes with your operations, misuses information, or damages your customer relationships, legal options may exist. We help evaluate the conduct and appropriate steps.
10. What should I bring to my first meeting with legal counsel?
Bring any contracts, emails, financial documents, or communications tied to the dispute. A writing summary of the relevant facts also helps (who, what, when, where, how, etc.). Detailed information helps us provide accurate guidance early on.