Miami, FL 
Florida Business Law & Commercial Litigation Attorneys
Strategic Counsel. Relentless Advocacy.
At Perez Mayoral, P.A., we represent business owners, investors, and partners in high-stakes commercial disputes. When problems arise, whether it’s a breach of contract, partnership conflict, or corporate misconduct, we act quickly and strategically to safeguard your interests and pursue lasting, business-minded solutions.
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Your property. Your rights. Our fight. | Hablamos Español
Business Litigation Services
Millions Won for Florida Businesses
Contract Disputes
Handling breaches, interpretation issues, and enforcement of contract clauses to protect clients’ rights and obligations.
Shareholder and Partnership Disputes
Representing stakeholders in disputes over management, profit distribution, and breaches of fiduciary duties.
Business Torts
Addressing issues like tortious interference, unfair competition, defamation, fraud, and more to protect clients and recover damages.
Commercial Real Estate Litigation
Managing disputes involving lease issues, zoning, property rights, and eminent domain.
Employment Disputes
Representing businesses in cases of wrongful termination, discrimination, wage disputes, and breaches of noncompete or confidentiality agreements.
Corporate Governance and Fiduciary Duty Litigation
Focusing on disputes related to governance, breaches of fiduciary duties, mismanagement, and corporate integrity.
Construction Litigation
Dealing with breaches, construction defects, mechanic’s liens, and payment or performance disputes.
Intellectual Property Litigation
Assisting in the defense and enforcement of trademarks, copyrights, patents, and trade secrets.
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FOR FLORIDA BUSINESSES
Strategic Counsel. Relentless Advocacy.
Protecting the interests of Florida businesses, investors, and shareholders through sophisticated representation in state and federal courts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Questions Answered
How do I know if my business has grounds for a lawsuit?
Your business may have grounds for a lawsuit if you’ve experienced financial harm due to another party’s actions or failure to meet their obligations. Common indicators include breach of contract where the other party failed to deliver goods, services, or payments as agreed, fraudulent business practices that caused monetary losses, interference with your business relationships or existing contracts, trademark or copyright infringement affecting your brand, partnership disputes involving mismanagement of funds or breach of fiduciary duties, or employment issues such as trade secret theft by former employees. Additionally, if you’ve suffered damages from construction defects, real estate disputes, or unfair competition practices, you likely have viable legal claims.
The key factors Florida courts consider are whether you can demonstrate actual damages, establish the other party’s legal responsibility, and show a clear connection between their actions and your losses. To determine if your specific situation warrants legal action, gather all relevant documentation including contracts, correspondence, financial records, and evidence of damages. Contact our experienced business litigation attorneys for a consultation where we can evaluate the strength of your potential claims and discuss the most effective legal strategy for your case.
How long does litigation typically take?
Business litigation timelines in Florida vary widely based on the case’s complexity, court schedules, and whether parties reach settlement agreements. Simple contract disputes or straightforward business matters may resolve within 6-12 months, while complex commercial litigation involving multiple parties, extensive discovery, or involved legal issues can take 2-3 years or longer to reach trial. The discovery phase, where parties exchange documents and take depositions, typically accounts for the majority of litigation time and can last 6-18 months depending on the volume of information involved.
Factors that can extend timelines include crowded court dockets, motions practice, appeals, and the opposing party’s cooperation level. Many cases settle during mediation or negotiations before reaching trial, which can significantly shorten the overall process. Federal court cases often move faster than state court matters due to different scheduling practices and case management approaches. Emergency situations may qualify for expedited hearings or temporary injunctions that can provide quicker relief while the main case proceeds. For a realistic timeline estimate based on your specific business dispute, contact our office for a consultation where we can evaluate your case’s unique circumstances and provide a more precise timeframe for resolution.
Can my business recover attorney fees in litigation?
Whether your business can recover attorney fees in litigation depends on the specific circumstances of your case and applicable Florida law. Florida generally follows the “American Rule,” meaning each party pays their own attorney fees unless there’s a specific statute, contract provision, or legal principle that allows fee recovery. Common situations where businesses can recover attorney fees include contracts with prevailing party clauses, cases involving statutory violations like unfair trade practices or certain employment disputes, trademark and copyright infringement claims, and situations where the opposing party acted in bad faith or filed frivolous claims.
Additionally, Florida’s offer of judgment statute allows fee recovery in some cases where a party rejects a reasonable settlement offer and then receives a less favorable judgment at trial. The amount recoverable must be reasonable and necessary, and courts will review fee requests to ensure they’re appropriate for the work performed. To understand your potential for fee recovery in your specific case, contact our team for a consultation where we can review your contracts, assess applicable statutes, and develop a strategy that maximizes your chances of recovering attorney fees along with other damages.
What are the costs associated with business litigation?
Business litigation costs in Florida include several components beyond attorney fees, such as court filing fees ranging from $400-$500 to initiate a lawsuit, deposition costs of $500-$1,500 per witness, expert witness fees that can reach $200-$500 per hour, and expenses for document production, investigations, or forensic analysis when needed. Additional costs may include mediation fees, court reporter charges, and potential bond requirements for certain types of relief. The total expense depends heavily on factors like case duration, the amount of discovery required, number of parties involved, and whether the matter settles early or proceeds to trial.
Simple contract disputes might resolve for under $30,000, while complex commercial matters can cost significantly more depending on their scope and duration. Many cases settle during negotiations or mediation, which typically reduces overall expenses compared to full trial proceedings. To understand the potential costs for your specific situation and discuss our fee structure, schedule a consultation where we can evaluate your case and provide a detailed breakdown of expected expenses and available payment options.
What are my options if the other party isn’t upholding their end of a contract?
When another party breaches a contract, you have several legal remedies available under Florida law depending on the severity of the breach and your specific damages. Your options include seeking monetary damages to compensate for financial losses caused by the breach, requesting specific performance to force the other party to fulfill their contractual obligations, or pursuing contract rescission to cancel the agreement and restore both parties to their pre-contract position. You may also be entitled to consequential damages for additional losses that resulted from the breach, such as lost profits or costs incurred due to their failure to perform.
Before pursuing litigation, consider sending a formal demand letter outlining the breach and requesting compliance, as this can sometimes resolve the matter without court involvement and may be required under your contract terms. If the breach is ongoing, you might seek a temporary restraining order or injunction to prevent further harm to your business. In cases where the other party’s breach is substantial, you may have grounds to terminate the contract and seek damages for any losses incurred. The statute of limitations for contract disputes in Florida is typically five years for written contracts and four years for oral agreements, so timely action is important. Contact our attorneys for a consultation to review your contract terms, assess your damages, and determine the most effective strategy for enforcing your rights and recovering compensation.
Fort Lauderdale Breach Of Contract Lawyer
Are you looking for a breach of contract lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
At Perez Mayoral, P.A., we bring over 100 years of combined litigation experience to contract disputes across Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area.
If a broken contract is costing your business money, time, or an important relationship, the response you choose in the first weeks often shapes the outcome. Our Fort Lauderdale, FL breach of contract lawyer pursues and defends contract claims for businesses and the people who run them. We recover losses, enforce agreements, and protect clients who have been wrongly accused of breaching. At Perez Mayoral, P.A., our attorneys work across written contracts, oral agreements, and the commercial relationships built on them. If a contract dispute is affecting your business, contact us to arrange an initial case review.
Breach of Contract Lawyer Fort Lauderdale, FL
A breach-of-contract lawyer helps a party enforce an agreement, recover losses, or defend against a claim when the other side alleges the contract was breached. A contract can be written or spoken, formal or informal, and Florida courts will enforce one when the basic elements are present. Once a party fails to perform, the law provides remedies, though only for those who act within the time it allows.
Our Fort Lauderdale breach-of-contract attorneys begin with the agreement itself. We determine what each side promised, where performance fell short, and what the injured party can recover. Some matters settle once the exposure becomes clear. Others are decided in court.
Types of Breach of Contract Cases We Handle in Fort Lauderdale
Contract disputes arise in every kind of business relationship, from a single transaction to a long-term partnership. What they share is a promise that one party did not keep. We represent clients in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding communities in the following matters.
- Breach of written contracts. Signed agreements set out clear obligations, and a party that disregards them can be held to the terms. We enforce written agreements and pursue the damages that a breach of contract causes.
- Breach of oral and unsigned agreements. Not every enforceable deal is on paper. We pursue and defend claims based on unsigned contracts and understandings reached without a formal signature.
- Nonpayment and collection disputes. A frequent breach is a simple one: a party does not pay. We enforce promissory notes and unpaid invoices, and we defend clients billed for work that was never delivered.
- Vendor and supplier breaches. A supplier that delivers late, delivers the wrong goods, or fails entirely leaves the buyer with remedies. We hold a vendor that fails its commitments accountable.
- Service and performance disputes. Disagreements over the scope or quality of work drive many claims. We assess whether a failure amounts to a material or minor breach and advise accordingly.
- Anticipatory breach and repudiation. At times a party signals it will not perform before performance is even due. We act early to protect a client’s position when a counterparty repudiates the deal.
- Non-compete and restrictive covenant disputes. Business and employment agreements often limit competition. We litigate non-compete agreements on both sides of the dispute.
- Contract defense. An accusation of breach is not the same as liability. We raise the recognized defenses and test whether the other side met its own obligations first.
Why Choose Perez Mayoral, P.A. as My Breach of Contract Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL?
A contract dispute is rarely only about the contract. It reaches cash flow, business relationships, and sometimes the survival of a company. We approach each one with that reality in view.
Contract Litigation From First Demand Through Trial
We build each contract case around the strongest theory available and prepare it as though it will be tried, whether the client is enforcing an agreement or defending against a claim. That preparation is what produces favorable settlements. Our business litigation lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, FL handles these disputes within a broader commercial practice. Michael P. Mayoral co-founded the firm and handles business litigation, real estate, and breach-of-contract cases. Erik A. Perez co-founded the firm and leads its Business Litigation Practice Group. Both attorneys earned their law degrees from the University of Miami and are members of the Florida Bar.
Results and Recognition
Our case results reflect recoveries and enforcement outcomes in business, contract, and property disputes, including an appellate victory in a multi-year commercial case involving real estate claims. Michael Mayoral is a member of The National Trial Lawyers, and both founders belong to the Cuban American Bar Association. Our attorneys are consulted by local and legal media on business and property matters.
Understanding Breach of Contract Cases in Fort Lauderdale
Elements, Remedies, and What a Contract Claim Requires
A breach-of-contract claim rests on a few building blocks: a valid and enforceable contract, performance by the party bringing the claim, a failure by the other party, and resulting harm. When those are present, Florida law offers several forms of relief. The remedy depends on the nature of the breach and the loss it caused, and may include:
- Money damages measured to place the injured party where full performance would have.
- Recovery of amounts owed under the agreement, with interest where it applies.
- Specific performance, in the rare case where the subject of the contract is unique and money is not enough.
- Cancellation of the contract and the return of what was exchanged.
The right to recover is not open-ended. A claim brought too late can be lost, and understanding what you can recover shapes the strategy from the beginning.
What Are Important Aspects of a Breach of Contract Case?
Two things shape most contract disputes: the precise words of the agreement, and the conduct of the parties after it was signed. We examine several points before advising a client.
- The language of the contract controls, and a single clause can decide the case.
- Records of performance, payment, and communication frequently determine who prevails.
- A defendant’s own conduct can create defenses, from waiver to a failed condition
- The calendar matters, because a claim filed after the deadline can be barred no matter its merit.
Agreements drafted without counsel tend to produce the hardest disputes, which is one reason do-it-yourself contracts carry real risk.
What Is the Breach of Contract Case Timeline?
Contract disputes resolve on different schedules, shaped by the amount at stake and the parties’ willingness to negotiate. Many begin with a demand and end without a trial. A typical path runs as follows:
- Review of the contract and the history of performance by both sides.
- A demand letter identifying the breach and the relief sought.
- Negotiation, and where the contract requires it, mediation or arbitration.
- Filing suit when the other side will not resolve the matter.
- Discovery, motions, and, when necessary, trial.
Some claims settle quickly once liability becomes clear. Others move through litigation for a year or longer. A party is occasionally excused from performing altogether, and that possibility is assessed at the outset.
What Should You Bring to Your Breach of Contract Consultation?
The stronger your documentation, the faster we can evaluate a claim or a defense. Please bring the following, even if the file is incomplete.
- The contract and any amendments, exhibits, or related agreements.
- Invoices, payment records, and proof of your own performance.
- Emails, letters, and messages exchanged with the other party.
- A short account of what happened and when.
During your initial case review, we will assess the agreement and explain the options open to you. There is no obligation to proceed.
Important Florida Legal Resources for Breach of Contract Cases
Florida keeps the statutes and court resources that govern contract disputes in a few official places. The sources below let a party confirm the rules that apply to an agreement.
- Which promises must be in writing to be enforceable is addressed in Chapter 725.
- Contracts for the sale of goods are governed by the Uniform Commercial Code in Chapter 672.
- Deadlines for filing a contract lawsuit are set out in the limitations statutes under Chapter 95.
- Contract cases in Fort Lauderdale are heard in the Civil Division of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit.
These sources point to the governing rules. They are not a substitute for advice about a specific contract.
Reach Out to Perez Mayoral, P.A. to Schedule a Consultation
If a contract has been broken, or you have been accused of breaking one, the attorneys at Perez Mayoral, P.A. are ready to help. Our Fort Lauderdale breach of contract lawyer represents businesses and individuals across South Florida. Contact us to request an initial case review. We will read the agreement, explain your options under Florida law, and recommend the course that best protects your interests.
