Dallas Business Litigation Lawyer

Is a commercial dispute threatening your business in Dallas, Texas? Call Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC for a consultation today at (214) 833-0100. Our Dallas business litigation lawyers know this area of the law as well as anyone in the area and have the track record of success to prove it.

Whether you are facing a breach of contract, a partnership disagreement, or another commercial conflict, having experienced legal representation can make a difference. Our attorneys help Dallas business owners and companies understand their legal options, protect their interests, and pursue effective solutions to complex disputes.

Why Should I Hire Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC for Help With a Business Legal Issue in Dallas, TX?

Business disputes can escalate quickly. What starts as a disagreement over a contract term or management decision can turn into a lawsuit that takes time, costs money, and disrupts your business. The Dallas trial lawyers you choose to represent you will have a direct impact on how efficiently and effectively the dispute is resolved.

There are clear reasons why businesses in Dallas, TX, turn to Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC when litigation becomes unavoidable:

• Our attorneys have spent decades litigating contested matters in Dallas County courts and in federal court for the Northern District of Texas
• Multiple members of our team have been recognized as Texas Super Lawyers, a distinction earned by fewer than five percent of attorneys in the state
• We prepare every case as though it will go to trial, which strengthens our position at every stage of the process, including settlement negotiations
• We provide each client with an individualized litigation strategy rather than applying a standard approach

A business dispute is not the time to gamble on inexperienced counsel. Reach out to our Dallas business litigation attorneys today for a consultation and let us evaluate your situation.

What Types of Business Disputes Lead to Litigation in Dallas?

Business litigation can arise from virtually any type of commercial relationship. It may involve two companies on opposite sides of a transaction, a dispute between co-owners of the same business, or a claim brought by an individual against a corporate entity. The common thread is that a legal obligation has been breached and one party has suffered financial harm as a result.

Our Dallas business litigation attorneys handle a broad range of disputes, including:

• Breach of contract claims involving written or oral agreements
• Breach of fiduciary duty by officers, directors, or partners
• Business fraud and misrepresentation
• Partnership and shareholder disputes
• Tortious interference, such as improperly disrupting another company’s contracts or business relationships
• Trade secret misappropriation and unfair competition
• Non-compete and non-solicitation agreement enforcement
• Disputes involving business dissolution or ownership transitions

Regardless of the nature of your dispute, our firm can assess the merits of your case and advise you on the most strategic path forward.

What Does It Take to Prove a Breach of Contract in Texas?

Breach of contract is the most common type of business litigation in Texas. It can involve anything from a failed real estate transaction to a vendor who did not deliver on the terms of an agreement. Whether the contract was written or verbal, the legal framework for proving a breach is the same.

To succeed on a breach of contract claim in Texas, you must establish four elements:

• A valid and enforceable contract existed between the parties
• You performed your obligations under the contract, or were excused from doing so
• The other party failed to perform as agreed
• You suffered damages as a direct result of that failure

In some Texas breach of contract cases, a successful claimant may recover reasonable attorney’s fees under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 38.001. Recovery depends on meeting the law’s requirements and does not apply in every dispute.

When Does a Business Dispute Become a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claim?

Certain relationships in business carry a heightened legal obligation known as a fiduciary duty. Partners may owe fiduciary duties to one another, depending on their relationship. Corporate officers and directors also owe fiduciary duties to the company. If someone in that position acts in their own interest at the expense of the person or entity they are supposed to protect, a breach of fiduciary duty claim may arise.

What Must You Prove in a Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claim?

To bring a successful claim in Texas, you generally must show that:

• A fiduciary relationship existed between you and the defendant
• The defendant violated the duties owed to you within that relationship
• The violation caused you harm or supports another available legal remedy

These cases often involve conduct such as self-dealing, diverting business opportunities, misusing company funds, and failing to disclose a conflict of interest.

What Makes Fiduciary Duty Disputes Complicated?

Texas law recognizes that certain breaches of fiduciary duty may constitute constructive fraud, even without proof that the defendant intended to deceive someone. Depending on the circumstances, remedies may include financial damages or the return of improper gains.

Fiduciary duty disputes tend to be factually complex and emotionally charged, particularly when they involve a closely held business where a small number of owners share both control and financial exposure.

Having a business litigation attorney who has handled these cases before can help you evaluate the evidence, understand your legal options, and pursue an appropriate resolution.

How Does Texas Law Address Business Fraud and Misrepresentation?

Fraud claims in the business context typically arise when one party makes a false statement of material fact to induce another party to enter into an agreement or take some other action to their detriment. Unlike breach of contract, fraud generally requires proof of a knowingly false or reckless misrepresentation, along with the other required elements.

Under Texas law, the elements of a common-law fraud claim include:

• A material misrepresentation was made
• The person making it knew the statement was false, or made it recklessly without knowledge of its truth
• The misrepresentation was intended to be relied upon
• The other party actually relied on it
• That reliance caused financial harm

Texas also recognizes fraud by nondisclosure, which applies when someone with a duty to disclose material information deliberately withholds it. This often overlaps with breach of fiduciary duty claims in the business context. In some fraud cases, exemplary damages may also be available if the legal requirements are met.

What Remedies Can I Pursue in a Texas Business Litigation Case?

The remedies available in a business dispute depend on the nature of the claim and the facts of the case. Texas courts offer a range of options designed to make the injured party whole and, in some situations, to deter future misconduct.

Compensatory Damages

These cover the actual financial losses you suffered as a result of the defendant’s actions. Depending on the claim, this can include lost profits, out-of-pocket expenses, and the cost of opportunities that were lost because of the breach or fraud.

Attorney’s Fees

In breach of contract cases, Texas law allows the prevailing party to recover reasonable attorney’s fees. This is an important consideration when deciding whether to pursue litigation.

Exemplary Damages

Available in fraud cases and other claims involving willful misconduct, exemplary damages go beyond compensating you for your losses. They are designed to punish the defendant and are subject to statutory caps under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code. 

Injunctive Relief

In some disputes, monetary damages alone are not enough. A court may issue an injunction ordering the defendant to stop certain conduct, such as violating a non-compete agreement or misusing trade secrets. Injunctive relief is often critical in cases where ongoing harm needs to be stopped immediately.

Specific Performance

If the subject matter of a contract is unique, such as a real estate transaction, the court may order the breaching party to perform its obligations under the agreement rather than simply paying damages.

What Filing Deadlines Apply to Business Litigation Claims in Texas?

Texas imposes strict filing deadlines, known as the statute of limitations, for business-related claims. Missing the applicable deadline can prevent you from pursuing compensation, although certain legal exceptions may apply.

The key deadlines to be aware of include:

• Breach of contract: four years from the date of the breach
• Breach of fiduciary duty: four years from the date of the breach, subject to the discovery rule in cases where the wrongful conduct was inherently undiscoverable
• Common-law fraud: four years from the date the fraud occurred or was discovered
• Negligent misrepresentation: Generally two years, with the filing deadline depending on when the claim legally accrued.

In fiduciary duty and fraud cases, the discovery rule may delay the start of the limitations period until the injured party knew or should have known about the misconduct. However, relying on this exception without legal counsel is risky. The safest course is to consult with an attorney as soon as you suspect wrongdoing.

Contact Our Dallas Business Litigation Attorneys to Schedule a Consultation

A business dispute that is not handled properly can cost you far more than the amount at stake in the underlying disagreement. Staubus, Blankenship, Legere and Walker PLLC has the litigation experience and courtroom readiness to protect your business interests in Dallas and throughout North Texas.

Contact our office today for a consultation and find out how our Dallas business litigation lawyers can help you resolve your dispute.