Practice area

Civil & Commercial Litigation

Contract disputes, business litigation, non-competes, collections, and complex civil matters.

Schedule a consultation Call 813-962-3176

Civil and commercial litigation is the firm’s tool for the moments when negotiation has ended and a business or a family needs a court to resolve a dispute. Twenty years in Florida courtrooms have taught us that the best litigators are the ones who know when to litigate and when to settle, and who move a case forward at every opportunity rather than letting it sit.

What we handle

  • Breach of contract. Non-payment, non-performance, and disputes over terms.
  • Business and partnership disputes. Dissolution, buy-sell, and fiduciary duty claims.
  • Non-compete and non-solicitation enforcement. Prosecuting or defending under §542.335.
  • Collections. Recovering judgments, enforcing settlements, and garnishments.
  • Real estate litigation. Quiet title, boundary, HOA, and construction defects.
  • Fraud and misrepresentation. Civil fraud claims with proof of intent.
  • Commercial leases. Disputes between landlords and tenants in commercial space.
  • Injunctive relief. TROs, preliminary injunctions, and permanent injunctions.

How the process actually unfolds

A Florida civil case starts with a complaint and a summons. The defendant has 20 days to respond. From there, discovery takes the bulk of the case time. Interrogatories, requests for production, depositions, and subpoenas are where evidence is gathered and where most cases are ultimately won or lost.

After discovery, cases typically proceed to mediation (usually court-ordered) and, if no resolution, to trial. The majority of civil cases settle before trial. That is not because either side is giving up. Once the evidence is on the table, the likely outcome becomes clear enough that both sides would rather control the result.

We try the cases that need to be tried. We do not bill for discovery we don’t need.

The difference experience makes

Busy business owners hire us because they cannot afford to spend their week on a lawsuit. That means they need a firm that:

  • Keeps them informed without making them do the lawyer’s work
  • Responds to email and calls quickly
  • Moves the case forward at every opportunity
  • Tells them plainly when settlement is the right move

Twenty years of courtroom experience is the reason we can make those judgments credibly.

What we handle

Services in this practice area

  • Breach of contract
  • Business & partnership disputes
  • Non-compete & non-solicitation enforcement
  • Collections & judgment enforcement
  • Service agreement disputes
  • Lien & UCC matters
  • Real estate litigation
  • Fraud & misrepresentation claims
  • Commercial leases
  • Injunctive relief

How it works

The process, step by step

  1. Case assessment

    We review the contract, the correspondence, the facts, and your business objectives. Litigation is a tool, not a default. Sometimes the right answer is a demand letter or a mediation.

  2. Filing or defending

    If suit is the right step, we draft the complaint and get it filed. If you are defending, we respond within the required window and preserve every defense.

  3. Discovery

    Depositions, document requests, interrogatories, and subpoenas. Discovery is where civil cases are usually won or lost.

  4. Resolution

    Most civil cases settle. That usually happens at mediation, at summary judgment, or on the courthouse steps. We try the cases that need to be tried.

Common questions

What clients ask us first

What is the difference between civil and commercial litigation?

Civil litigation is any lawsuit between private parties seeking damages or other relief. Commercial litigation is civil litigation between businesses or involving business transactions. The procedural rules are generally the same; commercial matters tend to involve more complex contracts, more documents, and higher stakes.

How long does a civil lawsuit take?

A typical Florida civil case takes 12–24 months from filing to resolution, though simpler matters can move faster and complex commercial cases can run years. The biggest variables are the court's docket, the complexity of discovery, and the willingness of the parties to settle.

My business partner and I are in a dispute. What should I do first?

Before anything else, review your operating agreement, partnership agreement, or shareholder agreement. Those documents usually govern how disputes are handled, whether through mediation, arbitration, or buy-sell provisions. Starting litigation without reviewing the governing documents is a good way to waive rights.

Can non-compete agreements be enforced in Florida?

Florida is one of the more enforcement-friendly states for non-competes. Florida Statutes §542.335 sets the standard. A legitimate business interest, a reasonable duration and scope, and consideration all have to be present. Whether a specific agreement is enforceable depends on the facts.

What is injunctive relief and when is it appropriate?

An injunction is a court order requiring someone to do something or stop doing something. Temporary and preliminary injunctions are sought when waiting for the case to conclude would cause irreparable harm. That is common in non-compete cases, trade secret cases, and real estate disputes.

Related practice areas

Work we often handle together

Real Estate & Foreclosure Defense

Board certified counsel for Florida purchases, sales, title work, and foreclosure defense.

Consumer Debt Defense

Defending creditor lawsuits, negotiating debt settlement, and filing bankruptcy when it is the right call.

Civil Court Mediation

Supreme Court certified mediation for family, civil, and commercial disputes. Faster and less expensive than trial.

Serving Florida since 2005

Serving Tampa Bay

Local representation across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties.

Let's talk.

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation, or call the office directly.

Schedule a consultation Call 813-962-3176