Business Litigation Attorneys in Detroit, Michigan

Award Winning Business Litigation Attorneys




Cantrell Schuette, P.A., is a Detroit business litigation law firm. From routine business disputes to bet the farm litigation, our team of business trial attorneys is passionate about obtaining successful outcomes for our clients. Whether called “business litigation,” “commercial litigation,” or “complex business litigation,” those phrases refer to disputes involving businesses.
A successful outcome in a business dispute does not merely fall into place. We map out a detailed and comprehensive plan that aligns with our client’s objectives and takes into account cost parameters. Our Detroit business lawyers represent clients ranging from c-suite professionals, attorneys, entrepreneurs, family-owned and closely held companies, to Fortune 500 corporations.
Our attorneys have elite credentials, such as graduating in the top 5% of their law class, attending Ivy League schools (such as Harvard Law), and regularly providing training seminars on their specialties to other attorneys. We are unique in that we do not represent clients in just any business dispute. We are not guns for hire. Instead, we only handle matters that align with our sense of right and wrong.
Therefore, we also often offer alternative fee arrangements, including business contingency and success fees. That way, we are paid for outcomes, not merely billing hours. Will your other Detroit business litigation lawyer options do that?
We also focus exclusively on litigation and dispute resolution. Our clients are best served by working with specialists instead of generalist attorneys who try to handle both transactional and litigation matters. That is one of the reasons, so many other attorneys refer us to clients. We can be trusted when the stakes are highest in a Michigan business dispute.
Our top Detroit business dispute lawyers have substantial experience in virtually every area of business torts and commercial litigation, including but not limited to disputes involving employment, intellectual property, competition, real estate, probate, corporate governance, shareholders/partnerships, professional malpractice, contracts, and insurance.
We represent clients in state courts and federal courts throughout Michigan. We also represent clients in other forums, such as before administrative agencies and in arbitration.
Below is more information on our experience, credentials, and frequently asked questions regarding Michigan business disputes.
BUSINESS LITIGATION EXPERIENCE IN DETROIT, MI
Our Detroit commercial litigation attorneys have experience handling disputes in a wide range of industries. That provides us with a unique perspective when tailoring recommendations that are effective and sometimes creative relative to other law firms. The following are some common situations for which we are routinely retained:
- Non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure agreements
- Breach of contracts or agreements
- Partnership management or dissolution
- Business defamation, libel, and slander
- Corporate governance issues, including minority shareholder oppression and entity control disputes
- Intellectual property issues
- Dealer, distributor, and supplier disputes
- Business fraud
- Compensation disputes, including equity, bonuses, and commissions
- Breaking financial agreements
- Ownership of assets, including tangible property, websites, domain names, and social media pages
- Trust and probate disputes
- Franchisor and franchisee disputes
- Commercial real estate disputes
- Professional liability (including attorney malpractice, accounting malpractice, and insurance agent malpractice)
- Employment law issues
- Antitrust
- Insurance coverage issues
Our leading Detroit business dispute lawyers can guide you on Michigan’s unique business laws, regulations, and ordinances that govern corporations, LLCs, and partnerships, including:
- Michigan’s Revised Limited Liability Company Act
- Michigan’s Business Corporation Act
- Michigan’s Uniform Partnership Act
- Michigan’s Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act:
- Michigan’s Nonprofit Corporation Act
- Michigan’s Unfirm Voidable Transaction Act
- Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secret Act
- Michigan’s Unlawful Trade Practices Act
- Michigan’s Antitrust Reform Act (regulates non-competes, non-solicits, and NDAs) (non-competes, non-solicits, non-disclosures)
Wayne County, Michigan requires businesses to comply with certain ordinances, including required fees. The City of Detroit also requires certain types of businesses to obtain a license to do business in the city. A full list of types of businesses required to obtain such a license can be found here. Wayne County includes the cities of Allen Park, Belleville, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Ecosse, Flat Rock, Garden City, Gibraltar, Grosse Pointe, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Inkster, Lincoln Park, Livonia, Melvindale, Northville, Plymouth, River Rouge, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus, Southgate, Taylor, Trenton, Wayne, Westland, Woodhaven, and Wyandotte.
To speak with one of our Wayne County business dispute lawyers, contact us at 1-877-858-6868 or coordinator@caklegal.com.
OUR DETROIT BUSINESS LITIGATION ATTORNEYS
Are you searching for the best Detroit, Michigan business dispute attorney? We understand that clients with important business disputes need legal counsel that is experienced, thoughtful, and extremely responsive. To that end, our business litigation attorneys provide white-glove care and focus on achieving your objectives without spending unnecessary time on issues that don’t really matter. Importantly, our Detroit business lawyers are leaders in the field.
Our Detroit business litigation attorneys’ resumes include graduating in the top 5% of their law school class, attending elite and Ivy League law schools (such as Harvard), and regular training on advanced business litigation topics. All our Detroit business litigation attorneys have practiced a minimum of 10 years in business litigation, including handling jury trials, bench trials (before courts and government agencies), arbitrations (before AAA, JAMS, and FINRA), and mediations.
Finally, our Detroit business law attorneys have won many awards, including inclusion in Michigan Super-Lawyers and Best Lawyers and obtaining AV Ratings by Martindale Hubbell. These awards are based on a peer-review system.
Our business attorneys also contribute to the profession by providing educational seminars on advanced commercial litigation topics and trial techniques and are also involved in legal industry associations, including the American Bar Association Litigation Section.
Are you in need of a top Detroit business litigation attorney? Contact us at 1-877-858-6868 or coordinator@caklegal.com.
OUR CLIENTS
Our client base is not limited to any one type of company or individual. For example, we have clients that are international companies, successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, CFOs, human resource managers, buyers and sellers of businesses, buyers and sellers of real estate, franchisees, top sales producers, dealers, distributors, and suppliers, physicians, physician assistants, real estate agents, insurance agents, groups of employees, attorneys, and judges. The common thread is that they have disputes that require the guidance of a trusted business litigation attorney in Michigan.
For a free initial consultation, contact us today at 1-877-858-6868 or coordinator@caklegal.com.
DETROIT AND WAYNE COUNTY COURTS
Detroit is in Wayne County, Florida. There are several state courts in Detroit and a federal court. The state courts include municipal courts, probate courts, district courts, circuit courts, Michigan Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Michigan. The Wayne County Circuit Court is located in the Third Judicial Circuit of Michigan. Unlike some Michigan counties, the Wayne County Circuit Court includes a Business Court. The federal court in Detroit is part of the U.S. Eastern District of Michigan.
Our top Detroit commercial litigation lawyers regularly practice in the state and federal courts in Wayne County. We know many of the opposing attorneys and have experience before the local courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike most other options, our business litigation practice group often offers contingency fee arrangements. That is because, most often, we represent clients who are seeking substantial compensation. Below is a list of examples of business disputes that we handle for clients in Detroit:
Michigan Breach of Contract. We represent clients in almost every type of contract dispute, including the following:
- Partnership agreements
- Operating agreements, shareholder agreements, term sheets, and by-laws
- Equity agreements
- Employment agreements
- Compensation agreements
- Non-compete, non-solicit, and NDAs
- Sale or purchase agreements
- Promissory notes
- Distributorship agreements
- Licensing agreements
- Commercial lease agreements
- Intellectual property agreements
- Service agreements
- Insurance policies
Apart from contract law, there are also many business torts and statutes under Michigan law that come up in business disputes, including but not limited to: negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, business defamation, tortious interference with advantageous business relationships, tortious interference with contracts, conversion, civil conspiracy, Michigan’s Uniform Trade Secret Act, and Michigan’s non-compete statute.
Michigan Intellectual Property & Trade Secrets. Are you searching for one of the best Detroit, Michigan intellectual property or trade secret attorneys? The attorneys in our business litigation practice group handle intellectual property and trade secret related disputes, including:
- Trademark infringement
- Copyright infringement
- Misappropriation of likeness
- Misappropriation of trade secrets
- Breach of IP and licensing agreements
- Cybersquatting)
- Ownership disputes involving websites, domains, social media pages, and other online assets
- Unauthorized use of tradenames, including in pay-per-click advertising on Google, Facebook, and other platforms.
Michigan Unfair Competition Law. One of our core practices is representing clients in competition-related disputes. These can be disputes between competing Michigan businesses or a legal dispute between a business and its former employees. Our Detroit non-compete lawyers are experts in Michigan non-compete law. Here are a few examples of claims in this context:
- Business defamation
- Trademark infringement
- Trade secret theft or misappropriation
- Non-competes, non-solicits, and non-disclosures
- Temporary and permanent injunction hearings
- Unfair and deceptive business practices
Professional Liability. Our Michigan business litigation attorneys are well-versed in bringing malpractice claims. We handle legal malpractice, accounting malpractice, and insurance agent malpractice, among others. Examples of legal malpractice may include:
- Failure to file a lawsuit within the statute of limitations
- Failure to bring available claims
- Failure to timely file an appeal
- Failure to comply with pre-filing requirements
- Failure to secure a witness or other evidence
- Negligent contract drafting
- Not following a client’s instructions
Michigan Partnership and Shareholder Disputes. We understand the importance of hiring the best Detroit, Michigan partnership or shareholder dispute attorney. Our Detroit business lawyers regularly represent clients in shareholder, partnership, and corporate governance disputes, including business divorces. The following are some of the situations for which we are retained:
- Breach of shareholder or partnership agreement
- Breaches of an operating agreement or by-laws
- Breach of employment agreement
- Breach of term sheet
- Failure to comply with dispute resolution provisions
- Embezzlement
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Partner expulsion
- Business winddown disputes
- Accounting
- Judicial dissolution
- Beaches of non-competes
- Fraud
- Shareholder oppression
- Shareholder derivative actions
Business Defamation, Libel, & Slander. If you need a top Detroit business defamation attorney, contact us. We regularly assert and defend against claims of business defamation, libel, and slander. We represent private individuals, businesses, and public figures in defamation suits.
Michigan Employment Law. We have an employment law practice group that focuses exclusively on employment law disputes in Michigan, with a focus on representing all types of individuals in the workforce, especially executives and other highly compensated individuals, and entrepreneurs. We handle Michigan wrongful termination claims, Michigan non-compete claims, unpaid wage claims, and virtually all other Michigan employment law matters.
Michigan Franchisor-Franchisee Law. Our Detroit business litigation lawyers have significant experience in franchisor-franchisee disputes. Examples of issues we handle include:
- Breach of franchisee agreement
- Negotiating franchise agreements
- Royalty provisions
- Trademark infringement
- Non-solicit, non-complete, and NDAs
- Intellectual property law issues with franchisees, including ownership of trademarks, websites, website designs, social media pages, domains, Google and other reviews, Google My Business accounts, and other online assets.
Insurance Coverage Disputes. We represent policy Michigan holders, not insurance companies. You’ve paid premiums, and yet the insurance carrier doesn’t want to pay. You need a top Detroit insurance coverage attorney. The attorneys in our business litigation practice group have experience with insurance coverage disputes in Michigan. Here are a few examples of situations where an attorney may be needed:
- Representation and warranty insurance for mergers and acquisitions and other transactions
- EPLI coverage
- Insurance coverage for damages to business from fire or flood
Securities and FINRA. If you need a Detroit investor fraud lawyer, contact us. Claims involving investment losses are generally subject to arbitration by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). We also handle claims for business fraud in connection with the sale of a business, including brick and mortar and online businesses.
Contact us for a free initial consultation at 1-877-858-6868 or coordinator@premierlitigators.com.
In Michigan, if someone establishes a breach of contract claim, they are entitled to their damages. Damages for breach of contract in Michigan are intended to give the party the benefit of the party’s bargain by awarding him a sum of money that will, to the extent possible, put him in as good a position as he would have been in had the contract been fully performed. The injured party should receive those damages naturally arising from the breach. The injured party cannot recover a greater amount of damages than he could have gained by the full performance of the contract. See Lawrence v Will Darrah & Assoc, 445 Mich 1 (1994) (stating that “the damages recoverable are those damages that arise naturally from the breach, or which can reasonably be said to have been in contemplation of the parties at the time the contract was made.”)
If you need to speak with a Detroit breach of contract attorney, contact us at 1-877-858-6868 or coordinator@premierlitigators.com.
Yes, both non-compete and non-solicit agreements with employees and contractors can be enforced in Michigan. Post-employment restrictive covenants, including non-competes and non-solicits, are governed by Section 445.774a of the Michigan Antitrust Reform Act. Under that statute, an employer must plead and prove
- The agreement is in writing and signed by the former employee or contractor;
- The former employer has a “reasonable competitive business interest they are seeking to protect by the contractual restraint;
- The former employee’s or contractor’s new line of business is the same as the former employer’s;
- The restraint is for a reasonable time, and only covers a reasonable geographical area; and
- The restraint is reasonably necessary to protect the former employer’s reasonable competitive business interests.
Michigan law also provides for many defenses to enforcement of non-compete and non-solicit agreements.
For example, in Serv. First v. Lee, 19-CV-12616-TGB, 2022 WL 3448036, at *4 (E.D. Mich. Aug. 17, 2022), a federal court in Michigan stated the following about Michigan Statute § 445.774(a):
As is evident from the language of this statute, the enforceability of a covenant not to compete hinges on the reasonableness of its duration, its geographic scope, and the extent of its reach to particular types of employment or lines of business. Moreover, a restrictive covenant must be reasonable in relation to an employer’s competitive business interest, meaning that it must protect against the employee’s gaining some unfair advantage in competition with the employer, but not prohibit the employee from using general knowledge or skill. If the reasonableness of a non-compete clause is challenged, the party that seeks to enforce the provision bears the burden of demonstrating its reasonableness and validity.
You can read our Michigan non-compete FAQs here. If you are searching for the best Detroit non-compete lawyer, contact us at 1-877-858-6868 or coordinator@premierlitigators.com.
We offer many different types of fee arrangements. The available options depend on the circumstances. Do you need a Detroit contingency fee business dispute attorney? In some cases, we offer pure contingency fee structures. If we do not, however, we often offer other types of alternative fee arrangements that align our economic incentives with those of our clients. We also offer hourly rate and, in some situations, flat fee arrangements.
To discuss your case and fee arrangements at no cost, you can contact us at 1-877-858-6868 or coordinator@premierlitigators.com.
The Detroit attorneys in our business litigation practice are leaders in their field and respected by other local attorneys and judges. For a free initial consultation with one of our business litigation practice group attorneys, contact us at 1-877-858-6868 or coordinator@premierlitigators.com.