Companies bring in shareholders when they need capital to start operations or when the company grows enough to Warrant the additional complexity of becoming a publicly traded organization. In either case, the shareholders who help financially support the company have certain rights and play a particular role in helping to guide the organization. Unfortunately, shareholder disputes can disrupt a company’s culture and undermine major developments. What are some of the more common reasons shareholder disputes arise? 1. Disagreements about the company’s future Sometimes, shareholders primarily wan ..read more

When you own and operate a business, at some point you are likely to face a business dispute. Maybe a vendor didn’t provide the quality IT services you hired them to do or a supplier failed to provide the items your business needed to produce your products. Now, you are having problems resolving the dispute and considering seeking mediation or arbitration. However, you aren’t certain you understand the difference between the two. How are mediation and arbitration different? Mediation in business disputes With mediation, the two parties involved in a business dispute work with a mediator to res ..read more

If 2020 proved anything, it proved that the world rapidly changes. As Americans, we learn to adapt to those changes and make the most of our current situations. The same is true for our legal system because we have to adjust to ensure that justice still serves. Due to the recent global crisis, lawyers, mediators and arbitrators rely more on technology to manage disputes and help people find the right resolutions for their circumstances. But what does that mean for the parties? Now, technology allows parties to settle their disputes out of the courtroom and on their computers through online dis ..read more

The American economy is growing every day with new industries, new competition and even new technology to create better products for consumers. However, this growing competitive environment will also lead to growing tension between companies as they fight for consumer loyalty and the limited income of current customers. It begs the question of when new conflicts arise, is it appropriate to bring the battle to court versus trying to settle it out out of the public eye? There are advantages to both approaches, but it depends on the risks your company wants to take. Dispute resolution versus Liti ..read more

Maintaining a proper partnership is important across all areas of your life, especially in your business. Most owners rely on their partners to ensure the company runs smoothly, the financials are up to date and employees are properly managed. However, that reliance is also a weakness if you have a disgruntled business partner who is working against you in most business decisions. It begs the question of how you can manage a stable partnership, even in the face of disputes. Preparation is key The best way to avoid a crumbling partnership is to prepare beforehand. You can develop a contract or ..read more

Most people agree that approaching conflict is a struggle. You have to balance advocating for your opinion while also compromising with the group or person you disagree with. And neither party wants to settle for a compromise that works for no one. The five primary styles for conflict resolution Luckily, there are different ways to approach conflict that works well for your style and your circumstances. First, you have to know your conflict resolution style: Avoiding disputes – Avoiding or withdrawing from conflict is a common form of conflict resolution among most folks. They will usually dro ..read more

Most of us are familiar with alternative dispute resolution (ADR). This process of resolving legal conflicts is typically more practical and cost-effective than litigation. It has also been used successfully for hundreds of years. Many people consider ADR when dealing with a legal issue. Two of the most popular forms of ADR are arbitration and mediation – but each has key differences. What is mediation? Mediation is usually a non-binding process that involves one impartial third-party, the mediator. The mediator facilitates conversation, encourages compromise and helps both parties resolve the ..read more