Commercial litigation is the court or arbitration process businesses use when a dispute with a partner, customer, vendor or contractor can’t be settled through talks. Ayala Law PA focuses on these disputes for businesses and owners in Temple Terrace and across Hillsborough County. Temple Terrace clients are served from the firm’s only office, which is located at 1646 W Snow Ave in Tampa. This page explains what the work covers, how a dispute moves forward, and what to have ready for a first conversation.
What Commercial Litigation Covers for Temple Terrace Businesses
Commercial litigation resolves disputes between businesses, owners and business partners when negotiation has failed. The firm focuses on these areas:
- Business and commercial litigation between companies and the people who run them
- Contract disputes over performance, payment and termination
- Shareholder and partner disputes
- Construction litigation, including lien foreclosure
- Real estate litigation over purchase agreements and property deals
- International trade litigation
This work serves business owners, managers, partners, contractors, subcontractors and property owners in Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County. A dispute often starts long before a lawsuit is filed. Early review of documents and deadlines matters, because a missed deadline can close off a claim.
Not sure what your next step is?
Talk it through with our team — we can walk you through how a situation like yours is usually handled and what your options are.
Contract Disputes and Business Litigation
A contract dispute happens when one side says the other did not keep a promise in the agreement. Breach of contract claims often involve payment, deadlines, scope of work or termination. Vendor, supplier, customer and service agreement conflicts are common examples.
The review starts with the written agreement. The firm also looks at emails, invoices, purchase orders and performance records. This helps identify the claims and defenses each side may have.
Timing rules matter. Fla. Stat. § 95.11 sets the time limits for filing most civil actions in Florida. A contract cannot shorten that window. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.03, a contract term that sets a shorter period to begin an action than the statute allows is void.
Many agreements include arbitration clauses. Under Fla. Stat. § 682.02, an agreement in a record to arbitrate existing or future disputes is valid, enforceable and irrevocable. The exception is a ground that exists in law or equity for revoking a contract. The court decides whether an arbitration agreement exists.
Shareholder, Partner, and Ownership Disputes
A shareholder or partner dispute arises when owners disagree about control, money or how the business is run. Common fights involve distributions, buyouts, management decisions and deadlocks. These disputes can freeze daily operations.
The governing documents usually come first. These include the operating agreement, bylaws, shareholder agreement and partnership agreement. Under Fla. Stat. § 607.0732, a shareholder agreement can set a mechanism for breaking a deadlock, including in place of a judicial dissolution.
For Florida LLCs, the operating agreement governs many relationships among members. Under Fla. Stat. § 605.0105, an operating agreement cannot relieve a person of liability for bad faith, willful or intentional misconduct, or a knowing violation of law.
A member may also bring a direct action under Fla. Stat. § 605.0801. The member must plead and prove an injury that is not solely the company’s injury, or an injury from a separate statutory or contractual duty owed to the member. Partnership agreements follow similar limits. Under Fla. Stat. § 620.8103, a partnership agreement cannot eliminate the duty of loyalty.
Construction and Real Estate Litigation
Construction litigation covers disputes among owners, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers. Payment disagreements, change orders, delays and defective work are the most common issues. Construction contract fraud claims focus on what was promised in writing and what was billed and paid.
Construction lien disputes often involve several stages, so the facts of each project deserve careful review early on. Lien claims are reviewed against those requirements before any foreclosure step is taken.
Construction claims also run on their own clock. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, a construction-related action generally runs from the earliest certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion or abandonment date. Under Fla. Stat. § 95.11, the limitations period for a construction defect action is generally four years. For a latent defect, that period generally runs from when the defect was or should have been discovered. Separately, the statute’s 7-year repose period runs from the earliest of the certificate of occupancy, temporary certificate of occupancy, certificate of completion, or abandonment of the improvement, regardless of when the defect was discovered.
Real estate litigation covers disputes over purchase agreements, property transactions and commercial property claims. Documents such as bids, contracts, draw schedules and change orders often shape these cases.
How a Commercial Dispute Moves Forward
A commercial dispute usually moves through five stages. Each stage depends on the facts and on the forum.
- Case evaluation. You describe the dispute and share key documents. Fees for the evaluation and for any representation are explained in writing before work begins.
- Document review. The firm reviews the documents and prepares a written assessment of claims, defenses and deadlines.
- Demand, negotiation or mediation. Many disputes resolve here. Under Fla. Stat. § 44.102, a court must refer most filed civil actions for money damages to mediation when one party asks. The statute lists exceptions, and the requesting party must be able to pay or the costs must be divided fairly.
- Filing or arbitration. Under Fla. Stat. § 47.011, a suit must be brought in the county where the defendant resides, where the claim arose, or where the property is located. Court procedures shape how a business lawsuit moves forward, so understanding the process early can help a business plan its next steps.
- Resolution. The case ends in a settlement, a judgment or an arbitration award. You stay informed at each stage.
Serving Temple Terrace and Hillsborough County from Tampa
Ayala Law PA’s only office is at 1646 W Snow Ave in Tampa. Clients in Temple Terrace, Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Plant City and throughout Hillsborough County are served from the firm’s only office in Tampa.
Circuit court and arbitration matters in the Tampa Bay area are handled as part of your case. Meetings can be held by phone or video. In-person meetings can be arranged when the matter calls for them. Where a dispute ends up being heard can affect how it unfolds, so it is worth discussing the forum with your lawyer early.
Some matters are better handled with co-counsel or another law firm. If that applies to your dispute, the firm will tell you.
Not sure what your next step is?
Talk it through with our team — we can walk you through how a situation like yours is usually handled and what your options are.
Why Work With Ayala Law PA
Eduardo A. Maura is the attorney responsible for the firm’s legal work. The firm limits its practice to the commercial dispute areas described on this page.
The firm explains options, deadlines and timelines in plain language. You receive a written assessment before major decisions are made.
Our team of support staff handles scheduling, document intake and client communication. Eduardo A. Maura is the lawyer who handles the legal work on each matter.
Common Questions About Commercial Litigation in Temple Terrace
How long does a commercial lawsuit take?
Timing depends on the complexity of the dispute and the court or arbitration calendar. Discovery and motions often add time.
Do most business disputes go to trial?
Many are resolved through negotiation, mediation or settlement. Litigation remains an option when those routes fail.
Should I file suit or settle first?
The contract terms, the facts and any deadlines shape that choice. Don’t let a deadline pass while you decide.
What should I bring to an evaluation?
Bring the contract, correspondence, invoices, change orders, lien notices, governing documents and a short written timeline of events.
Talk With Eduardo A. Maura About Your Dispute
If a contract has stalled, a payment is held up or a partner is blocking decisions, act before key deadlines pass. Call (305) 570-2208 or request a case evaluation with Eduardo A. Maura. Share your documents and your timeline, and the firm will review your options with you.
