Main Menu Main Content

Overview

Calfee’s Business, Corporate, and Commercial Litigation attorneys work with public and privately held enterprises on a diverse range of business needs. Our attorneys have extensive experience in financial litigation including banking, lender liability, and credit disputes. They counsel clients on issues and disputes arising out of the purchase or sale of a business, contracts, and the Uniform Commercial Code.

Our business litigation attorneys have prosecuted and defended numerous trade secret actions and matters involving non-compete covenants. They also have defended claims of business defamation and disparagement, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation.

Noteworthy

Chambers USA Leading Law Firm Rankings

Since 2005, Calfee has been recognized by Chambers USA as a Leading Law Firm in Litigation: General Commercial, most recently in Band 3 in Ohio (2023). 

Clients interviewed by Chambers USA researchers commented, "They're savvy, quick to adapt, and put people at ease in complex commercial litigation. The team is exceptionally responsive and provides outstanding legal services. We're very pleased with the firm's breadth of expertise and ability to bring together the right people. They are a good balance of practical and strategic. They do a very good job on the technical and practical elements. It's an excellent firm." 

Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings

Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2024 "Best Law Firms" rankings in Commercial Litigation (National Tier 2, Regional Tier 1 Cleveland, Regional Tier 1 Cincinnati, Regional Tier 2 Columbus).

Benchmark Litigation Rankings

Calfee was selected for inclusion by Benchmark Litigation 2024 as a Highly Recommended Law Firm in Dispute Resolution in Ohio. Additionally, 14 of Calfee's Litigation partners have been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as "Litigation Stars" in the U.S. (National), Midwest, and Ohio and as “40 & Under" and "Future Stars" Honorees.

Professionals

Professionals

Experience

Experience

  • Obtained a $3.8 million jury verdict against a business broker for intentional interference with a buyer’s prospective purchase of a business.
  • Defended a multi-million dollar claim against a distributor of medical products for alleged breaches of a distribution agreement.
  • Prosecuted and defended numerous trade secret actions and matters involving covenants not to compete.
  • Defended numerous lender liability claims, including obtaining summary judgment dismissing lender liability claims against a foreclosing bank.
  • Successfully defended against a $200 million action for breach of lease filed by a major parking garage operator.
  • Represented partners in dissolution action against charges of breach of the agreement.
  • Won fraud judgments against sellers of businesses.
  • Defended against and resolved multi-million dollar claims against a medical equipment manufacturer for successor liability and fraudulent transfer in connection with the purchase of the assets and business of another medical product manufacturer.
  • Frequently retained at the appellate level to seek reversal of unfavorable verdicts, including obtaining a reversal of a jury verdict against a utility for alleged violations of public utility laws.
  • Represented a Swedish textile manufacturer in a jury trial in which the United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods was applied to a dispute involving the sale of products to a national distributor.
  • Obtained a $9 million jury verdict for fraud in the termination of a shopping center lease.
  • Represented financial institutions in proceedings to obtain relief from the automatic stay to enforce claims against secured collateral.

Services

Services

  • Protect trade secrets and confidential business information
  • Enforce and contest non-compete covenants
  • Uniform Commercial Code issues
  • Financial litigation, including banking, lender liability, and credit disputes
  • Tortious interference with business relations
  • Contractual disputes
  • Business sale or purchase disputes
  • Partnership issues, disputes, and dissolutions
  • Business defamation, disparagement, and unfair competition
  • Fraud and negligent misrepresentation
  • Adversary proceedings and appeals
  • Claims litigation and appeals
  • Bad faith and relief from stay motions
  • Dischargeability litigation
  • Preference litigation
  • Proceedings to sell estate property
  • Lien determination and priority proceedings

Client Feedback

Client Feedback

  • "The team is very responsive. It's an excellent firm."– Chambers USA 2023 client quote
  • "We're very pleased with the firm's breadth of expertise and ability to bring together the right people. They are a good balance of practical and strategic." – Chambers USA 2023 client quote
  • "The firm does a very good job on the technical and practical elements." – Chambers USA 2023 client quote
  • "They're savvy, quick to adapt, and put people at ease in complex commercial litigation." – Chambers USA 2022 client quote
  • "The team is exceptionally responsive." – Chambers USA 2022 client quote
  • "Calfee litigators resolve issues efficiently with the proper balance of appropriate strength and effective negotiation." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
  • "I've been very impressed with Calfee. They are always quite responsive and provide "business-ready" responses." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
  • "Calfee, Halter & Griswold provides excellent litigation services. They are well-equipped to handle complex issues involving financial matters." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
  • "Calfee, Halter & Griswold is my go-to law firm, in an emergency as well as for longer-term strategic planning. Jim Lang is a consummate professional, an excellent trial lawyer, and the state's best public utility regulatory lawyer. Their team always gets the job done quickly and efficiently and helps develop creative and effective strategies." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
  • "I have had the opportunity to work with various members of Calfee, Halter & Griswold's Litigation team over the last several years. Regardless of matter size/complexity, Calfee has staffed the matters appropriately and provided responsive, business-focused advice. They provide support in the pre-litigation resolution of matters effectively and efficiently." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
  • "Calfee, Halter & Griswold attorneys are extremely client focused. They are patient and engaged to make sure clients are fully heard, understand their options, and are part of the strategy." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report
  • "Calfee, Halter & Griswold has excellent lawyers who strive for practical solutions." – Calfee client, as reported by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in “Best Law Firms” report

News & Events

News

PDF

"The entire Litigation team provides outstanding legal services."

Client quote, Chambers USA

Jump to Page