Los Angeles Contract Dispute Lawyer
Business Contractual Law
A contract is an agreement between two or more parties, and contracts are often a vital part of the success and growth of both small businesses and large corporations. In our state, contracts can be in either an oral or written form to be enforceable, and it is understood that the terms of the agreement will be honored by all involved parties. Every contract, no matter how simple or complex, possesses the same three elements:
- An offer
- An acceptance to the offer
- Consideration (something of value being exchanged between the parties connected to the contract)
When you enter into a contract, you expect that the terms of the agreement will be upheld. Unfortunately, many individuals and businesses fail to treat the contract with the solidified respect and they do not honor their commitments. In these circumstances, you are faced with a breach of contract and the other party may dispute that they failed to uphold their end of the agreement.
A party's failure to honor a contract can result in devastating damage to business, but it is possible to pursue a recovery of these losses with the assistance of a knowledgeable and aggressive attorney. As Los Angeles business attorneys, we believe it is crucial to your business reputation to uphold your integrity and be a person of your word, and that means upholding the legal terms of your agreements. This is why we fight tirelessly to defend the rights of clients who are facing contract disputes.
What happens in the event of a dispute?
It is common in the business world for contracts to come under dispute. When this happens, litigation often becomes necessary. Disputes can arise while interpreting the terms of the contract, or when one of the involved parties fails to fulfill the obligations outlined in the contract. This is called a "breach." Breaches can take place over one part of a contract, or over the entire agreement. The remedies for contract breach and other disputes are varied, and include rescission (cancellation of the contract), monetary damages, and specific performance.
For example, it is common for disputes to arise concerning intellectual property contracts. These contracts can involve patents, software licenses, franchises, distribution contracts, publishing contracts and many other types of legal agreements that involve intellectual property. It is important to keep in mind that some contracts do not have to be written in order to be enforceable by law, but oral contracts can be difficult to prove. If you are looking to seek justice after an oral contract has been breached, you must do so within the time frame allotted by the California statute of limitations. The limit is only two years for a breach of an oral contract, as opposed to the four year limitation for written contracts.
Matthews Law Firm, Inc. - Your Los Angeles Business Attorney
Regardless of what type of contract dispute you may be dealing with, it is to your benefit to contact a skilled attorney who will seek a resolution to the matter, whether it be through litigation, arbitration, or mediation. Our firm is skilled in alternative dispute resolutions (ADR) that can help you settle your legal matter without going to court. For cases when litigation is necessary, we will work hard to build a compelling legal strategy for accomplishing your legal goals in court. Do not wait to determine your options; call today to learn how you can protect your business from the damage of a contract dispute.