Business, Corporate and Commercial Litigation

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 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 2022 Band 3 Ranking in Litigation: General Commercial (Ohio)

For well over a decade, our Litigation group and individual litigation attorneys have been ranked and recognized by Chambers USA. Chambers USA researchers noted that the litigation team "frequently advises on plaintiff and defense-side commercial litigation matters, offering considerable strengths in securities, product liability, antitrust and construction disputes; also offers experience in criminal litigation, defending a range of individuals and businesses facing regulatory enforcement actions; acts for clients in sectors including healthcare, financial services and manufacturing." 

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. The entire team provides outstanding legal services." 

U.S. News – Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” Rankings

Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2023 "Best Law Firms" rankings by U.S. News – Best Lawyers 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 2023 as a Highly Recommended Law Firm in Dispute Resolution and as a Recommended Law Firm in Labor and Employment Litigation in Ohio. Additionally, 16 of Calfee's Litigation attorneys have been ranked by Benchmark Litigation as "Local Litigation Stars" in the U.S. (National), Midwest, and Ohio and as “40 & Under Hot List Honorees.”

Professionals

Experience

• Obtained $3.8 million jury verdict against business broker for intentional interference with buyer’s prospective purchase of business.
• Defended a multi-million dollar claim against a distributor of medical products for alleged breaches of 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 major parking garage operator.
• Represented partners in dissolution action against charges of breach of 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 Swedish textile manufacturer in 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 $9 million jury verdict for fraud in 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

• Protect trade secrets and confidential business information
• Enforce and contesting 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

"They're savvy, quick to adapt and put people at ease in complex commercial litigation."

– Calfee client, as reported by Chambers USA 2022

"The team is exceptionally responsive."

– Calfee client, as reported by Chambers USA 2022

"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” rankings 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” rankings 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” rankings 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” rankings 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” rankings 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” rankings 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” rankings report