- Licensed in all 6 New England states
- contact@ioliberum.com
- (401) 300-4439
Legal problems probably won't get better on their own. That's where we come in.
You didn’t see it coming. A competitor sends a cease-and-desist letter claiming you’re infringing their trademark. Your landlord claims you’ve breached the lease. A state agency notifies you of an audit or regulatory investigation.
These situations feel distracting, overwhelming, and intimidating because they’re unfamiliar, high-stakes, and demand immediate response. The temptation is to react emotionally but this won’t protect your business and may lengthen the dispute into years-long grudge matches.
Legal disputes and regulatory issues have defined processes and timelines. Miss a response deadline and you could lose by default. The businesses that prepare for and navigate disputes successfully are the ones that respond strategically, not reactively.
Click into the categories below to see some of our most popular services offered with up-front, fixed pricing. Many more services are available. If you don’t see what you are looking for, just drop us a line.
Strategic demand letters, negotiation, and settlement discussions to resolve conflicts before litigation. Most business disputes settle quickly when handled correctly at this stage, avoiding the cost, delay, and uncertainty of court proceedings.
When disputes can't be resolved pre-litigation, we handle civil litigation in state and federal courts across New England.
Trademark infringement claims, copyright disputes, trade secret misappropriation, and unfair competition. We defend against IP claims and prosecute infringement when your rights are violated.
Labor department investigations, licensing board complaints, and regulatory enforcement actions. We respond to agency inquiries, negotiate settlements, and represent you in administrative proceedings.
We start with a free consultation, offer up-front, fixed prices for all services, plain language advice, and take the time we need to do your project right, at no extra cost.
Yes, always respond! However, do so strategically, not emotionally. Ignoring a demand letter doesn't make the problem disappear; it signals weakness and often leads to immediate litigation. Unless this is a simple misunderstanding that can be resolved instantly, consult an attorney first to evaluate the claims, assess your exposure, and craft a response that protects your position without escalating unnecessarily or making damaging admissions.
In most business disputes, each party pays their own attorney fees regardless of who wins (this is called the "American Rule"). However, you can recover fees if:
This is why you should always include attorney fee provisions in your contracts.
If your contract includes a right to suspend services for non-payment, yes .... as long as you follow the notice requirements in your agreement. Without contractual language, stopping work may constitute breach if you haven't completed the contracted services. The safer approach: suspend new work while continuing existing obligations, notify the client in writing that you're suspending further services until outstanding invoices are current, and don't resume until payment is received.
A material breach is a significant failure that defeats the contract's essential purpose. A minor breach is a small deviation that doesn't destroy the contract's value. Material breaches typically allow you to terminate the contract and sue for damages; minor breaches only allow damages for the specific deficiency and generally have a longer cure period.
Generally no. Contracts are binding even if the terms turned out to be unfavorable to you. However, there are limited exceptions: fraud or misrepresentation in inducing the contract, duress or coercion in signing, unconscionability (terms so one-sided they shock the conscience), mutual mistake about fundamental facts, or impossibility of performance. Excuses such as "I didn't read it carefully" or "I didn't understand" are not valid defenses. Read before signing, negotiate unfavorable terms, or don't sign.
Yes, and it happens! Competitors can file complaints with licensing boards, labor departments, consumer protection agencies, or tax authorities hoping to trigger investigations and penalties. Some complaints are legitimate; others are harassment. Regardless of motive, you must respond appropriately. If complaints are frivolous or repeated harassment, you may have a claim for unfair competition or tortious interference, but your first priority is resolving the regulatory complaint.
A statute of limitations is the legal deadline for filing a lawsuit. If you miss it, even by one hour, your claim is barred forever regardless of merit.
Book a free consultation with a small business lawyer ready to help you and your business thrive.
