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Wolcott Penhallow
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Practice

Partner and contract disputes

Most disputes between business partners end in a negotiated buyout. The question is how much it costs both of them to get there. We aim to settle early, on terms the company survives.

Cyprian leads disputes: between co-owners, between a company and a departing founder, and over contracts that were supposed to be clear.

What we do before anyone files

If a matter has to go to court, we quote the next phase in writing before it starts.

  • 01

    Reading the documents

    The operating agreement, the contract and the emails. What you are owed often turns on one clause.

  • 02

    A letter that opens talks

    A demand, or an answer to one, written to be read by the other side's lawyer rather than to impress you.

  • 03

    Negotiation or mediation

    Most partner disputes settle here. We prepare you, attend with you and draft the settlement.

  • 04

    If it goes to court

    We say plainly whether it should, and quote the next phase in writing before anything is filed.

The fee

Fixed fees for the early phases

Litigation, if it comes, is priced by phase before each one begins.

  • Review and letter

    Document review, a written assessment and one letter, for one flat fee.

    • A call to walk through the assessment

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  • Mediation

    Preparation, a mediation session of up to a day and the settlement agreement, for one flat fee.

    • Mediation statement

    • Settlement agreement

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Fees cover our work. The mediator's fee, court costs and expert fees are separate, and you pay them whether or not the matter settles.