BUSINESS DISPUTES ATTORNEYS What Is Business and Contract Litigation in Northern VA and Montgomery MD

Business and contract litigation involves disputes between commercial parties. Many cases arise from written agreements, but others involve fraud, misrepresentation, statutory violations, or interference with business relationships.

Common matters include:

• Breach of contract
• Business fraud
• Tortious interference
• Commercial lease disputes
• Partnership and shareholder conflicts
• Construction contract disputes
• Performance bond claims

These disputes require a combination of aggressive courtroom advocacy and practical negotiation strategy.

A critical first question in any commercial dispute is whether the case falls within contract or tort law. This distinction affects the availability of damages, statutes of limitations, and litigation leverage.

Contract claims focus on broken promises.
Tort claims focus on wrongful conduct such as fraud or interference.

Understanding this difference can shape the entire case strategy.

Not every failed deal is fraud. However, when one party intentionally misrepresents material facts or conceals critical information, the dispute can shift into tort territory.

Fraud claims may allow:

• Expanded damages
• Potential punitive damages
• Increased settlement leverage

Fraud allegations frequently arise in commercial real estate transactions, contractor agreements, partnership disputes, and vendor relationships.

When a third party intentionally disrupts your contract or business relationship, you may have a claim for tortious interference.

These cases often involve:

• Former employees
• Competitors
• Franchise disputes
• Vendor conflicts

Both Virginia and Maryland recognize interference-based claims, though elements and proof standards differ.

Before enforcing a contract, courts must determine whether a valid agreement exists. Many commercial disputes center on formation issues, such as:

• Oral agreements
• Electronic contracts
• Lack of consideration
• Authority disputes
• Statute of Frauds issues

These threshold questions can determine whether litigation proceeds at all.

Beach of contract remains the foundation of most business litigation cases.

To prevail, a party must show:

• A valid and enforceable contract
• Performance of its own obligations
• Breach by the opposing party
• Resulting damages

Breach claims may involve consulting agreements, service contracts, construction agreements, lease arrangements, and corporate governance documents.

Commercial landlords and tenants frequently encounter disputes involving:

• Non-payment of rent
• CAM charge disagreements
• Default provisions
• Early termination
• Personal guarantees

Real estate-related contract disputes can involve significant financial exposure and require careful document review.

In construction and development contexts, performance bonds and surety agreements play a critical role. When a bond is called or a project defaults, litigation may follow.

Performance bond disputes often involve:

• Contractor default allegations
• Surety liability
• Delay claims
• Indemnity enforcement

These matters demand immediate strategic assessment.