Business Litigation
Commercial litigation strategy for high-stakes business disputes
Sections
overview
focus areas
depth of practice
team
insights
industries served
representative matters
testimonials
contact us
overview
focus areas
depth of practice
team
insights
industries served
representative matters
testimonials
contact us
Overview
Business disputes rarely stay contained. A breach, a partner conflict, or a competitor’s misconduct can disrupt operations overnight. When disputes threaten your business, you need commercial litigation counsel that understands both the legal issues and the business reality behind them. We represent businesses in commercial litigation matters throughout New York State.
We don’t litigate for the sake of litigation. We litigate to protect leverage, preserve value, and control outcomes. Rupp Pfalzgraf’s Business Litigation team represents businesses of all sizes, from closely held companies to large commercial enterprises, in complex disputes across New York State. Clients rely on our team as business dispute attorneys who understand both legal exposure and operational risk. We combine business strategy with litigation strategy, because a legal win is meaningless if it comes at the expense of the business.
Our commercial litigation attorneys are highly experienced litigators who understand the art of negotiation, mediation, and arbitration, but we prepare every case as if it will be tried, because leverage is built long before the courtroom. We evaluate cases early for leverage points, evidentiary gaps, and resolution opportunities before litigation costs escalate. When litigation is unavoidable, we are experienced trial lawyers in state and federal courts throughout New York and have argued appeals at the highest appellate courts.
We handle disputes involving:
- Breach of contract and business tort claims
- Shareholder and partnership conflicts
- Trade secret theft and restrictive covenant enforcement
- Intellectual property disputes impacting business operations
- Government investigations and enforcement actions
- Article 78 proceedings
- FINRA arbitration and financial services disputes
Whether the goal is early resolution or decisive litigation, we move quickly, evaluate risk clearly, and execute a strategy designed to put you in the strongest possible position. When necessary, we pursue injunctive relief, temporary restraining orders (TROs), and other emergency remedies to protect business interests before damage becomes irreversible.
We Answer Your Business Litigation Questions
Most disputes come down to timing, documentation, and strategy. These are the questions we hear most often:
- What should we do if a contract is breached?
- What legal options exist in a business dispute?
- How do we resolve a partnership or shareholder dispute?
- Can we enforce a non-compete or confidentiality agreement?
- How do we protect trade secrets and proprietary business information?
- What happens during a government investigation or enforcement action?
- What is an Article 78 proceeding and what is the deadline to file?
- When does arbitration make more sense than litigation?
- What is FINRA arbitration and how does it work?
- What are the risks of sending a demand letter before filing suit?
- How long does commercial litigation typically take in New York?
If your business is facing a dispute, our attorneys provide clear guidance and strong advocacy at every step.
Focus Areas
Contract Disputes
Contracts are central to nearly every commercial relationship, but when expectations break down, disputes follow. We represent businesses in commercial contract litigation and enforcement matters, protecting your rights and financial interests when agreements are violated.
Business Torts & Unfair Competition
Sooner or later, misconduct threatens a business, damaging reputation, revenue, and client relationships. Our attorneys pursue business tort claims involving unfair practices and wrongful conduct, helping clients recover damages and protect the assets that drive long-term value.
Shareholder Litigation & Business Divorce
The end of a business relationship can be as disruptive as the end of a personal one, and often far more expensive. We represent business owners in shareholder disputes, partner disputes, and business divorce matters involving control, valuation, ownership rights, and dissolution strategy.
Trade Secrets & Intellectual Property Litigation
Trade secrets and intellectual property are valuable business assets, and they attract attention. Our commercial litigation team takes decisive action to establish trade secret status, enforce non-disclosure agreements, and pursue violations involving confidential information, restrictive covenants, and unfair competition.
Government Investigations & Enforcement Actions
Few situations create more disruption than a government investigation. We help businesses respond strategically, craft formal responses, and limit the scope and duration of investigations and enforcement actions whenever possible.
Article 78 Proceedings
When a New York State agency issues a decision that impacts your business, an Article 78 proceeding may be the fastest path to challenge it. These proceedings must be filed within four months of the agency decision. Our team acts quickly to protect your rights and preserve your ability to pursue relief.
FINRA Arbitration
Rupp Pfalzgraf provides aggressive, creative, and efficient representation of brokerage firms and registered investment advisors in arbitration proceedings before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). We represent brokerage firms, financial institutions, registered representatives, and RIAs in FINRA arbitration matters. Whether facing investor claims or employment disputes, our attorneys quickly digest the facts, develop tailored strategies, and stay several moves ahead to maintain leverage and achieve favorable outcomes.
FINRA disputes reward preparation, positioning, and patience. We approach them accordingly.
Depth of Practice
Our depth of practice includes experience with:
- Complex commercial litigation and business disputes
- Contract litigation and breach of contract claims
- Shareholder disputes, partnership disputes, and business dissolution matters
- Business divorce strategy and ownership conflict resolution
- Trade secret litigation and enforcement of confidentiality agreements
- Intellectual property litigation involving business-related disputes
- Business tort claims involving unfair practices and commercial misconduct
- Government investigations and enforcement actions
- Article 78 proceedings involving administrative agency decisions
- Arbitration and mediation as alternative dispute resolution strategies
- FINRA arbitration involving brokerage firms and registered investment advisors
- Litigation in New York State courts and federal courts
- Appeals argued at the highest appellate courts
- Representation before administrative and municipal agencies
- Commercial workouts, restructurings, collections, and judgment enforcement matters
- Construction-related commercial claims and real property actions
- Employment agreement litigation, restrictive covenant enforcement, and wrongful termination disputes
- Class action litigation matters
Team
Anderson-O
Olivia
Anderson
Associate
Buffalo, NY
Bucci-C
Connor
Bucci
Associate
Rochester, NY
Cantil-J
Jonathan
Cantil
Partner
Buffalo, NY
Demarest-W
William
Demarest III
Partner
Albany, NY
Gerace-E
Emily
Gerace
Associate
Rochester, NY
Graber-J
James
Graber
Partner
Buffalo, NY
Grant-J
Jack E.
Grant
Associate
Buffalo, NY
Hallak-D
Daniel
Hallak
Partner
Long Island, NY
Insights
Tony Rupp Featured in Buffalo Business First on Radiology Practice Dispute
Tony Rupp Featured in Buffalo Business First on Radiology Practice Dispute $variable({“type”:”content”,”value”:{“name”:”post_date”,”settings”:{“before”:””,”after”:””,”date_format”:”default”,”custom_date_format”:””}}})$ Home / Rupp Pfalzgraf partner Tony Rupp was…
Industries Served
Related Practice Areas
Business Law
Banking & Creditors’ Rights
Antitrust
Labor & Employment
Intellectual Property Litigation
Real Estate
Construction
Representative Matters
- Successfully defended a small business owner in litigation involving a merchant cash advance (MCA) agreement by challenging whether the agreement was a true MCA or an illegal, high-interest loan, including issues involving repayment practices and enforceability of a personal guarantee.
- Represented operating partners of a well-known Buffalo restaurant in a federal trademark infringement and business dispute involving alleged improper use of a registered trademark, related ownership and financial claims, and parallel state and federal litigation impacting business operations and planned expansion.
Testimonials
You are accomplished attorneys, you do your due diligence and you do it diligently, but you are business people first and that is unique