In this day and age, dealing with business litigation is a routine part of running a company. Conflicts with employees, disputes between companies, and allegations of liability regularly arise, creating the need to find a resolution inside the courtroom. While you may think business-related lawsuits only involve large corporations, the truth is they can affect companies of any size. When a small business is impacted, it can be especially detrimental to their success. This is why it’s important to seek counsel from a lawyer long before any problems come up. Below are some of the ways a legal professional can help small businesses avoid litigation.

3 Common Business Litigation Cases a Lawyer Can Help Prevent

1. Employment Law Violations 

Employees have a Constitutional right to work in an environment free of discrimination and harassment. Additionally, as an employer, you are prohibited from using discriminatory practices during the process of hiring, promoting, assigning job duties, or firing. You must also properly address any complaints of improper behavior in the workplace. Failure to comply with the law in these areas is one of the most common reasons for small business litigation. Having a lawyer assist you in writing company policies and procedures can help keep you in compliance.

2. Contract Disputes 

Contracts are legally binding documents. When your company has entered into a written agreement with a client, vendor, or another company, you could be held responsible if it is proven you have violated the terms in any way. Often, contract disputes can be avoided by having a lawyer draft your agreements and review the terms to ensure they serve your business’s best interests. 

3. Intellectual Property Rights 

Companies have many intangible assets that need to be protected just the same as physical inventory or equipment. Business names, logos, and certain goods and services are all entitled to copyright protection. Thus, should you infringe on another company’s intellectual property, you can be sued. A lawyer can help develop processes that will keep your company from inadvertently infringing on any copyrights, trademarks, or patents. 

Whenever you hire a lawyer, whether it’s to be proactive or in response to legal trouble you’re already facing, select someone with business litigation experience. The team at Davidson Hopkins & Alexander has been serving the community of Jackson County, GA, for more than 80 years. During this time, they have established a track record of success for helping small business owners handle all types of lawsuits. Call (706) 367-5264 to schedule a consultation, or visit them online to learn more about the firm’s longstanding history.