Business & Contract Lawyer
Serving Clients in California, New York, Florida & Nationally
Business managers confronting serious legal issues must balance the need to budget their time and energy to run their businesses against the need to defend their rights or pursue legal remedies against parties who have harmed the business.
We understand the needs of businesses. We are experts at seeking resolution depending on the desires of the client, ranging from negotiation and mediation to outright litigation.
We have extensive experience representing small, medium, and large companies in all manner of business disputes, including breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, defamation, partner and shareholder disputes, regulatory issues, and other causes of action.
Contracts are the foundation of business relationships. Unfortunately, many contracts are not fully understood before they are signed, cause constant friction between parties, and can ultimately be broken, causing financial harm and tensions among parties. Bloom Fudali represents countless breach of contract cases in a wide variety of industries and professions.
Starting a business relationship with a solid contract is the most cost-effective way of doing business. Our attorneys take the time to work with the parties to ensure all important details of the agreement are included and to draft the agreement in a straight-forward, understandable, and legally enforceable way.
Bloom Fudali represents companies of all sizes in contract disputes, breach of contract claims, defamation matters, and other commercial litigation cases. Our attorneys are admitted to practice law in California, New York, and Florida, and we handle cases nationwide. Founded by Lisa Bloom, the firm brings over 30 years of trial experience to every matter we take on. Whether your goal is negotiation, mediation, or full litigation, we work to protect your business interests and pursue the resolution that serves your needs.
If you own or manage a business and need advice or help in a business law or contract matter, contact Bloom Fudali. We can help you with the legal issues you face so you can run your business.
Why Choose Bloom Fudali for Business & Contract Law?
Trial Attorneys With Decades of Experience
Lisa Bloom founded Bloom Fudali in 2010. She earned her J.D. from Yale Law School and has practiced law since the early 1990s. That’s more than three decades handling complex litigation, high-stakes negotiations, and multi-million dollar civil matters.
Lisa has been selected as a Super Lawyer every year since 2015. She built a nationally recognized practice representing clients in cases that often attract significant media attention. The same preparation, strategy, and tenacity she brings to high-profile matters applies to every business dispute the firm handles.
Business litigation is not just about knowing the law. It’s about understanding what’s actually at stake for the client. Cash flow. Reputation. Key relationships. We approach contract disputes with that reality front and center.
Millions Recovered for Clients
Bloom Fudali has recovered millions of dollars for clients across employment, civil rights, and commercial matters. Our attorneys have taken cases to verdict and negotiated settlements in disputes involving major corporations, public figures, and high-value claims. We bring the same level of preparation to business contract cases.
Resolution on Your Terms
Some disputes require litigation. Others don’t. We evaluate each situation individually and recommend the approach that makes sense for your goals and your budget. Negotiation and mediation can often achieve faster results at lower cost. When the other side won’t negotiate in good faith, we’re prepared to go to trial.
National Reach
Our attorneys are licensed in California, New York, and Florida. We represent businesses throughout the country in state and federal courts. The firm handles matters ranging from sexual harassment and discrimination to civil rights and commercial disputes.
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“I am a licensed California Employment attorney who had the amazing privilege of referring clients to Bloom Fudali. Lisa Bloom is well respected, smart, tough, and kind, and her entire staff is phenomenal. It was evident that they truly care about their clients and go above and beyond. Additionally they were able to get amazing results that allowed the clients to find justice.” — Brian Heit
Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.
Types of Business & Contract Cases We Handle
We represent small businesses, mid-sized companies, and large organizations in commercial disputes. The specific issues vary, but the fundamentals stay the same: understand the contract, prove the breach, and pursue the remedy that serves the client’s interests.
- Breach of Contract. A contract creates enforceable obligations. When one party fails to perform, the other party suffers. We handle claims involving non-delivery, defective performance, failure to pay, and refusal to honor agreed terms. We also defend businesses accused of breach when the allegations don’t hold up.
- Tortious Interference. Sometimes a third party deliberately disrupts your business relationships. They convince a vendor to break their agreement with you. They spread false information to damage a deal. These actions may give rise to a claim for tortious interference, and proving them requires careful documentation and strategic litigation.
- Partner and Shareholder Disputes. Business partnerships fall apart. Shareholders disagree about direction, compensation, or control. These disputes can threaten the survival of a company if they’re not handled properly. We represent clients in matters involving fiduciary duties, buyouts, partnership dissolution, and governance conflicts.
- Defamation. False statements about your business can destroy a reputation built over years. Online reviews, competitor statements, media coverage. If someone has published defamatory content about your company, you may have a claim for damages.
- Contract Drafting and Review. The best way to avoid a dispute is to get the contract right from the start. We draft and review agreements for businesses across industries. Clear language. Enforceable terms. Provisions that actually protect your interests if something goes wrong.
- Employment Contracts. Disputes over employment agreements often intersect with business litigation. Severance negotiations, non-compete enforcement, executive compensation disagreements.
- Regulatory Matters. Business owners sometimes face disputes involving licensing, compliance, or government agencies. We provide counsel on navigating these situations and protecting your operations.
Contract Law Requirements in California, New York, and Florida
Contract disputes are governed by state law. The rules that apply to your case depend on where the agreement was formed, where the parties are located, and what the contract itself specifies. Bloom Fudali handles matters across multiple jurisdictions.
Statute of Limitations
Every state sets a deadline for filing breach of contract claims. Miss the deadline, and you lose your right to sue. Period.
In California, you have four years to file a lawsuit for breach of a written contract. Oral contracts get two years. These deadlines are set by the California Code of Civil Procedure. The California Courts Self-Help Guide provides additional resources for understanding civil litigation timelines.
New York gives you six years for both written and oral contracts under CPLR § 213. The clock starts running from the date of the breach, not the date you discovered it.
Florida allows five years for written contracts and four years for oral agreements under Florida Statutes § 95.11.
What You Need to Prove
A breach of contract claim generally requires three things: a valid contract existed, the other party failed to perform their obligations, and you suffered damages as a result. The specific elements vary by jurisdiction, but those fundamentals apply almost everywhere.
Courts distinguish between material breaches and minor ones. A material breach goes to the heart of the agreement. It gives the non-breaching party the right to stop performing and pursue damages. A minor breach might entitle you to compensation but doesn’t necessarily let you walk away from the deal.
Available Remedies
Depending on your situation, you may be entitled to monetary damages, an order requiring the other party to perform, or cancellation of the contract entirely. Some agreements include provisions for attorney’s fees or pre-set damages amounts.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Business Contract Dispute?
The purpose of contract damages is to put you in the position you would have been in if the other side had honored their obligations. Courts don’t award punitive damages in most contract cases. The focus is on compensation, not punishment.
Compensatory Damages cover your direct financial losses. If a supplier fails to deliver materials, you recover the cost of sourcing replacements. If a customer refuses to pay, you recover the amount owed. The calculation depends on what you actually lost because of the breach.
Consequential Damages represent losses that go beyond the immediate contract terms. Lost profits. Production delays. Damaged business relationships. These are recoverable if they were foreseeable when the parties entered the agreement. Courts require proof with reasonable certainty, so documentation matters.
Liquidated Damages are dependent on a clause(s) in the commercial contract specifying what happens if certain terms are breached. A set payment amount. A daily penalty for late performance. Courts generally enforce these provisions if the amount is reasonable and reflects anticipated harm. The American Bar Association provides resources on contract drafting and enforcement.
Specific Performance applies if the subject of the contract is unique, a court may order the breaching party to actually perform their obligations. Real estate transactions sometimes warrant specific performance. So do certain business deals involving unique goods or services. Note that claims for specific performance are subject to shorter filing deadlines in some states.
Attorney’s Fees are typically paid by each side individually. But many business contracts include fee-shifting provisions. If yours does, the prevailing party may recover attorney’s fees from the losing side. This can significantly affect both the value of your claim and your exposure if you’re the defendant.
Understanding potential recovery is essential to deciding whether litigation makes sense. We help clients evaluate their damages and develop strategies that account for both the upside and the costs.
Contact Bloom Fudali
If you’re dealing with a contract dispute, partner conflict, or any business litigation matter, we can help. Bloom Fudali offers free consultations for business and contract cases. We take the time to understand your situation, explain your options, and recommend a course of action that fits your goals.
Contact us to schedule a case evaluation. We respond promptly and are available to discuss your situation at your convenience.