Resolve the Conflict Threatening Your Company with an Orlando Business Dispute Attorney
When the people who own or run a business turn on each other, the company is what suffers. As an Orlando, Florida business dispute attorney, Keough Law resolves partner, shareholder, and member conflicts—through negotiation when possible, and litigation when necessary.
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An owner fight can sink the whole company
Internal disputes are personal, and that makes them dangerous. Left to fester, they drain cash, freeze decisions, and put the business you built at risk.
The goal isn't to win an argument—it's to protect your stake and, where possible, the company itself. That takes clear strategy and a credible willingness to litigate.
- A partner is taking money or opportunities for themselves.
- A majority owner is freezing you out of decisions and profits.
- You and your co-owner are deadlocked and nothing moves.
- A former owner is competing or taking confidential information.
Disputes between the people who own the company
We focus on internal conflicts—the disputes that arise among partners, shareholders, and members.
Partner & co-owner disputes
Disagreements over money, direction, and authority between partners or co-owners.
Shareholder & member disputes
Oppression, freeze-outs, and conflicts over distributions, voting, and control.
Breach of fiduciary duty
Self-dealing, diverting opportunities, or misusing company funds and information.
Deadlock & control
Stalemates that paralyze decision-making—and the path to break them.
Buyouts & business divorce
Separating owners on fair terms through buyout, redemption, or court-ordered relief.
Trade secret disputes
Misappropriation of confidential information by a departing owner, partner, or insider.
Learn moreWe've won when partners go to court
Owner disputes are some of the hardest cases a business owner ever faces. We've taken them on and won—defending clients dragged into court by former partners and protecting the value they built.
“Great lawyer. He helped me win my case when my old business partner took me to court. Very knowledgeable.”
Mark McCuddy
Partnership Dispute
The fastest path to a good outcome
Assess your position
We review the operating or shareholder agreement and the facts to map your leverage and your risk.
Negotiate first
Most disputes are cheaper to resolve than to litigate. We pursue a negotiated exit or resolution where one exists.
Mediate when useful
A neutral can unlock a deal without the cost and exposure of trial. We use mediation strategically.
Litigate to win
When the other side won’t deal fairly, we file suit and press for the relief that protects you.
The best dispute is the one you planned for
Many owner fights trace back to a vague or missing agreement. A clear operating or shareholder agreement—with buy-sell terms, deadlock mechanisms, and exit rules—prevents most disputes before they start.
We handle both sides of the coin: drafting the agreements that prevent conflict and litigating the disputes that arise anyway.
Build conflict out in advance
- Buy-sell provisions for a clean exit
- Deadlock and tie-breaker mechanisms
- Clear roles, authority, and voting rights
- Valuation methods agreed up front
Business dispute questions
What counts as a business dispute?
We focus on internal disputes—conflicts between the people who own or run a company. That includes partner and co-owner disagreements, shareholder and LLC-member disputes, breach of fiduciary duty, deadlock over control, and disputes that arise when an owner wants out.
My business partner and I can’t agree. What are my options?
It depends on your agreement and the facts. Options range from negotiated buyouts and mediated settlements to litigation for breach of fiduciary duty, an accounting, or judicial dissolution. We start with your operating or shareholder agreement, then build the strategy with the best outcome and the lowest cost.
What is breach of fiduciary duty?
Partners, officers, managers, and majority owners owe duties of loyalty and care to the company and to each other. Breaches include self-dealing, taking company opportunities, misusing funds, or freezing out a minority owner. These claims can support damages and, in serious cases, removal.
What happens when owners are deadlocked?
Deadlock can paralyze a company. Depending on the governing documents, solutions include buy-sell mechanisms, a negotiated buyout, mediation, or—as a last resort—a court-ordered resolution or judicial dissolution. We aim to break the impasse before it damages the business.
Do these disputes have to go to court?
Usually not. Most internal disputes resolve through negotiation or mediation, often via a buyout. But the credible ability to litigate is what makes a fair settlement possible—so we prepare every matter as if it could be tried.
How long do I have to bring a claim?
It varies by claim—breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and fraud each carry their own Florida limitations periods. Because deadlines and evidence both run against you, the sooner you get advice, the more options you’ll have.
Ready to protect
what you've built?
Schedule a free, confidential consultation. We'll talk through your situation and figure out the right next step together.