Commercial Litigation

Business Litigation and Commercial Disputes in Georgia

Business disputes, breach of contract, partnership conflicts, and contested transactions across Georgia.

Updated

The Short Answer

Should I sue, settle, or try to work this business dispute out?

It depends on what you need from the dispute and how much time and money a fight is worth to the business. If the relationship matters and the facts are fairly clear, a demand letter or a direct negotiation often resolves it faster. If the contract calls for mediation or arbitration, that usually comes first. If the other side is ignoring you, a filing deadline is close, or assets could disappear, filing suit may be the way to protect your position. A lawyer can help you weigh cost, timing, and leverage before you choose.

This is general information about Georgia law, not legal advice for your situation.

The Client's Problem

"We have a dispute and I need to know how to assert my rights."

Disputes threaten operations, relationships, and cash flow. The attorney who handles them needs to evaluate and understand the business realities above their legal theories. What is the other side's real posture? What does a two-year litigation timeline do to the company? Is there a faster path to the same outcome that does not require burning a business relationship?

That judgment comes from having been in the client's shoes. Having run businesses, negotiated deals, and had personal skin in outcomes. It is not something you develop from editing a law review article, and it is the lens through which every dispute gets evaluated here.

This Practice Covers
  • Business disputes and commercial claims
  • Breach of contract litigation
  • Partnership and shareholder disputes
  • Contested business transactions
  • Trade secret and non-compete matters
  • Commercial landlord-tenant disputes
  • Pre-litigation strategy and demand response
Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to file a breach of contract claim in Georgia?

Georgia generally allows six years for claims on a written contract and four years for claims on an oral or partly oral contract, counted from the breach. Some contracts shorten these periods, and other claims have their own deadlines, so check early.

I was served with a lawsuit. How long do I have to respond?

In most Georgia state court cases, an answer is due 30 days after you are served. Missing that deadline can lead to a default, so talk with a lawyer as soon as you are served.

Does my contract require mediation or arbitration first?

Many business contracts include a dispute resolution clause that requires notice, mediation, or arbitration before a lawsuit. Read the whole contract, including any documents it incorporates, because these clauses are usually enforced.

Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Georgia?

Often, yes. Georgia's Restrictive Covenants Act allows reasonable restrictions on competition and solicitation in agreements signed on or after May 11, 2011. Whether a particular covenant holds up depends on its scope, length, territory, and who signed it.

These answers are general information about Georgia law as of October 2026. They are not legal advice, and reading them does not create an attorney-client relationship.

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