Shareholder deadlock disputes can arise when opposing owners or groups of shareholders cannot agree on important decisions affecting a corporation. The disagreement may interfere with elections, management decisions, business operations, or the corporation’s ability to move forward. In California, corporate…

Minority shareholder disputes can arise when individuals who control a corporation allegedly use their authority in ways that disadvantage shareholders with smaller ownership interests. These conflicts may involve corporate decisions, distributions, compensation, access to benefits, or other actions affecting a…

Businesses often rely on confidential information that provides a competitive advantage, including formulas, methods, processes, programs, and other valuable commercial information. Disputes can arise when another person or business allegedly acquires, uses, or discloses that information without authorization. Under California…

Self-dealing disputes can arise when someone entrusted with another party’s interests participates in a transaction that may provide a personal benefit. These disputes frequently involve business relationships in which directors, officers, partners, or other fiduciaries have influence over important financial…

Constructive fraud claims can arise when conduct is treated as fraudulent because it violates a duty arising from a relationship of trust or confidence. Unlike traditional fraud, constructive fraud does not necessarily depend on proving an intentional misrepresentation or a…

Every contract creates obligations based on its express terms, but California law also recognizes an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. This covenant generally requires each party to avoid unfairly interfering with the other party’s ability to receive…

Business ownership disputes can arise when individuals disagree about who owns a company or the extent of each person’s interest. These conflicts may involve corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, or other business arrangements. California courts may examine the documents establishing…

Businesses and individuals sometimes work together on a specific project without formally creating a partnership or another business entity. When disagreements later arise, the nature of that relationship can become an important issue. Under California law, courts look beyond the…

Releases of liability are often used to define which risks a person agrees to assume before participating in an activity or entering into an agreement. However, signing a release does not necessarily mean that every potential claim is automatically barred.…

Businesses compete in many different ways, but not every competitive practice gives rise to a legal claim. When allegations of unfair competition arise, courts evaluate the facts of the dispute, the conduct involved, and the applicable law before determining how…