Articles Posted in Business Litigation

Florida’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act, Fla. Stat. Sections 688.001-688.009 (the “Act”), prohibits the misappropriation of a business’ trade secrets even if the business does not have a non-disclosure or similar agreement with the disclosing party. Misappropriation generally includes the improper possession of, or the disclosure of, a trade secret: “misappropriation” is fully defined in section…

It has become common practice for businesses to include arbitration provisions within agreements. Arbitration provides businesses a more efficient and less costly alternative to expensive, time-consuming litigation. Normally, arbitration provisions are drafted very broadly to cover all disputes or controversies that could arise between the contractual parties, commonly using the wording “arising from” or “relating…

Arbitration proceedings, and their outcomes, are generally not subject to the interference or review of a court. However, Section 682.031 of the Revised Florida Arbitration Code allows courts to issue and review provisional remedies that involve parties to ongoing arbitration proceeding. Provisional remedies can protect an arbitration-party to the same extent that the party would…

A derivative lawsuit is a lawsuit whereby a shareholder of a corporation sues a third party on behalf of the corporation. Any recovery from such lawsuits are the property of the corporation, not the shareholder who brought the lawsuit. Often times, the defendant of a derivative lawsuit will be someone close to the corporation, such…

Today, many businesses are including arbitration provisions for the resolution of any disputes or controversies that may arise from the contract. This is because arbitration provides a more efficient and less costly alternative to litigation. Despite the existence of such arbitration provisions within business contracts, often times, when a dispute arises, a plaintiff will still…

Competitive bidding is common for many businesses, including construction companies, supply companies, and retail providers, among others. In most cases, an entity will solicit bids from competing bidders through a request for proposal (RFP) and will award a contract to the most attractive bid, which can depend on several factors. Although competitive bidding can lead…

Arbitration is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional litigation because arbitration proceedings are faster and more cost effective. Many would-be litigants are incorporating binding arbitration clauses into their agreements for the economic benefits. However, parties who enter agreements with arbitration clauses should consider the conclusive nature of an arbitration proceeding. As arbitration clauses become prevalent…

Prospective business purchasers should diligently verify the accuracy of a sellers representations because misrepresentations made by sellers sometimes are inactionable under Florida law. Florida courts routinely apply the doctrine of caveat emptor, otherwise known as the buyer beware doctrine, to preclude misrepresentation claims that arise out of commercial transactions. See Transcapital Bank v. Shadowbrook at…

The Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA), § 501.201 et seq., Florida Statutes, is a remedial statute intended “to protect the consuming public and legitimate business enterprises from those who engage in unfair methods of competition, or unconscionable, deceptive, or unfair acts or practices in the conduct of any trade or commerce.” §…

Under Florida law, if a member of an LLC wishes to individually sue another member for damages arising out of the membership, the plaintiff-member must prove: “(1) a direct harm to the … member such that the alleged injury does not flow subsequently from an initial harm to the company and (2) a special injury…