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Miami, FL - Broward, FL
- Orlando, FL
- Palm Beach, FL
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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.
Miami Arbitration Lawyer
Are you looking for an arbitration lawyer in Miami, FL?
At Perez Mayoral, P.A., we are trusted arbitration lawyers serving clients across Miami and the surrounding region.
If a contract is directing your dispute into arbitration, or you have recently been served with a demand in Miami, it’s important to have legal counsel, since the rules of that forum differ from those of a courtroom. Arbitration is private and often faster than litigation. The decisions you make early can shape the entire outcome. Our Miami, FL arbitration lawyer can review the arbitration clause, weigh your options, and build the record your case requires. Perez Mayoral, P.A. represents owners and businesses in arbitration throughout South Florida. Contact our firm to request an initial case review.
Arbitration Lawyer Miami, FL
Arbitration is a private method of resolving a dispute outside the courtroom. Rather than a judge and jury, a neutral arbitrator, or a panel of arbitrators, hears the evidence and issues a binding decision known as an award. Parties typically enter arbitration because a contract requires it, though they may also agree to it after a dispute arises. The process is less formal than a trial, and the consequences are no less significant.
Miami has become a significant center for arbitration. The city is recognized as one of the country’s leading arbitration venues and a gateway for cross-border business across Latin America. As a result, counsel here works regularly with the complex commercial and real estate matters that many courtrooms rarely encounter.
Types of Arbitration Cases We Handle in Miami
Arbitration clauses appear in many kinds of agreements, so the cases we represent in arbitration closely resemble the disputes we litigate. Some clients bring us a demand they must answer. Others seek to enforce a clause and move a dispute out of court.
- Business litigation. Commercial contracts often route disputes to arbitration. We handle claims involving unpaid transactions, business torts, and fraud, and we understand how arbitrators evaluate them.
- Breach of contract. Many agreements include an arbitration clause. We prosecute and defend claims involving performance, payment, and the meaning of disputed terms.
- Partnership disputes. Operating and partnership agreements frequently direct internal disputes to arbitration. We represent owners in matters involving control, finances, and conduct.
- Shareholder disputes. Shareholder agreements may require private resolution. We press and defend claims involving governance, valuation, and fiduciary duty.
- Real estate litigation. Purchase, lease, and development contracts often designate arbitration as the forum. We protect owners’ interests in disputes involving property and performance.
- HOA dispiutes. Certain homeowners association disputes proceed through arbitration before a court is involved. We represent homeowners, never the association, in disputes involving the association’s declaration, governing documents, or rules and regulations.
- Condo disputes. Florida law directs many condominium disputes into arbitration first. We represent unit owners on assessments, access to records, and enforcement questions.
If your contract designates arbitration and you are uncertain what that means for your case, we can review the clause and explain your position.
Why Choose Perez Mayoral, P.A. as My Arbitration Lawyer in Miami, FL?
Advocates Experienced in Both Litigation and Arbitration
Arbitration is not a lesser form of litigation. It has its own rules, its own pace, and its own strategy. Our firm’s attorneys handle disputes in both forums, allowing us to move a matter toward arbitration or return it to court when that better serves your interests. That flexibility rests on over 100 years of combined legal experience across commercial, real estate, and association disputes. Erik A. Perez and Michael P. Mayoral lead this work, and they established the firm to represent owners and businesses, not the institutions on the opposing side. We explain the trade-offs of arbitration in clear terms so that you can make an informed decision.
A Record of Results for Owners and Businesses
Results are what matter most when selecting counsel for a dispute. Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for owners and businesses across property, association, and commercial matters, and we have defended favorable outcomes when opposing parties sought to overturn them. Arbitration rewards thorough preparation, which is central to our approach. When a matter calls for it, we know how to confirm an award, challenge one, or return the dispute to court when the rules permit.
Understanding Arbitration Cases
Arbitration offers meaningful advantages over litigation, including privacy, efficiency, and finality. Those same features also limit later options, because courts review arbitration awards only in narrow circumstances. A clear understanding of the process from the outset supports sound decisions at every stage.
Arbitration Agreements, the Hearing, and the Award
Several core elements determine how an arbitration proceeds and how much authority a court retains to review the result.
- The agreement. Arbitration begins with a clause in a contract. Both Florida’s arbitration code and the Federal Arbitration Act treat a valid clause as enforceable.
- The arbitrator. The parties typically participate in selecting the neutral who will decide the case, and that choice can prove as significant as any argument.
- The hearing. Evidence and witnesses are presented in a private setting, often more efficiently than at trial and with less formal procedure.
- The award. The arbitrator issues a written, binding decision, and cross-border awards are enforced under the rules governing foreign arbitral awards.
- Limited review. Courts set aside awards only in narrow circumstances, so opportunities to revisit the result are rare.
What Is the Arbitration Case Timeline?
Although no two arbitrations proceed at precisely the same pace, most follow a familiar sequence.
- The demand. One party files a demand for arbitration and states the relief it seeks.
- The response. The opposing party answers and may assert counterclaims.
- Arbitrator selection. The parties select the neutral or the panel who will hear the matter.
- Exchange of information. Documents and evidence are exchanged, generally on a more compressed schedule than a court would impose.
- Hearing and award. The arbitrator hears the matter and subsequently issues a written award.
From demand to award, many arbitrations conclude more quickly than a lawsuit, though complex disputes still require time.
What Are Important Aspects of an Arbitration Case?
Certain decisions carry particular weight in arbitration.
- The clause. Whether a dispute belongs in arbitration at all depends on the language you agreed to, which we examine closely at the outset.
- The arbitrator. Selection is a strategic decision rather than a formality, and the appropriate neutral can shape the entire case.
- Deadlines. Arbitration carries its own filing deadlines, and a claim may still be lost if the underlying dispute remained unaddressed for too long.
What Should You Bring to Your Arbitration Consultation?
The sooner we review the relevant documents, the sooner we can assess your position. Please bring the following:
- The contract that contains the arbitration clause.
- Any demand or notice you have received or intend to file.
- Correspondence with the opposing party regarding the dispute.
- Records demonstrating what was promised and what went wrong.
During the review, we will examine the clause, evaluate the dispute, and provide a candid assessment of your options and the likely cost.
Miami Arbitration Venues and Local Resources
Arbitration in Miami proceeds through both public and private forums. Owners with condominium disputes often begin in the state’s condominium arbitration program before a court is involved, which keeps the matter between the owner and the association rather than proceeding directly to a full lawsuit. Commercial parties more often follow the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association, which maintains a regional office in the city. Determining which forum a dispute belongs in, and how each one operates, is a matter we address at the outset.
Reach Out to Perez Mayoral, P.A. to Schedule a Consultation
If you are entering arbitration in Miami, retaining counsel early preserves the greatest range of options. Perez Mayoral, P.A. represents owners and businesses in arbitration and in the courts across South Florida. Our Miami arbitration lawyer can review your contract and help you determine the appropriate path forward. Contact us to request an initial case review.
