This week, the firm tackled a diverse mix of disputes and transactions for our small business owners and investors. We successfully finalized the sale of a Seymour bar between feuding partners and guided another client to wisely walk away from an overpriced bar and grill because, as we noted, bar rescues make great TV but lousy investments.
Our intellectual property work also saw exciting movement, including a successful optical patent licensing deal with a major manufacturer and progress on a new utility patent application. Meanwhile, we are actively defending against spurious counterclaims in Waterbury Superior Court, exchanging initial disclosures in New Haven Federal Court, and negotiating debt defense settlements. Whether it is closing a complex deal or advising a client to walk away from a risky convenience store purchase, we remain committed to making the right strategic move for every client.
On a potential contingency-fee debt collection, I had an Initial phone call and exchanged e-mails with lead counse and reviewed some court documents.
In Seymour, there was extensive back-and-forth over finalizing the purchase and sale agreement for the bar/restaurant with the feuding business partners. Signatures happened.
A simmering dispute over membership in a professional services company may come to Milford Superior Court within the next few weeks. The unlawful member insists they want to settle things short of litigation, but has done nothing to show good faith toward their preferred outcome.
In the New Haven Federal Court lawsuit, initial disclosures were exchanged. The firm’s client has a solid computation of damages for at least some of his claims, whereas the opposing party has a “to be done later” statement.
Discussions continue with creditor’s local and lead counsel in another debt collection case that the firm is defending in New Haven Superior court.
After due consideration, a client decided to proceed with purchase of a bar and grill. On-site observation of business persuaded the client that the asking price was over-the-top, but the seller wouldn’t negotiate. Bar rescues make a great TV show but a lousy investment.
In a trademark dispute, the firm continued trying to get some grace for its client from the established owner of the mark.
Rarely, the firm handles patent matters. For one particular client in the optical industry, patents are worthwhile — they recently closed a licensing deal with a major discount manufacturer.
I reviewed the deposition transcript from the CUTPA / breach of warranty case and feel confident that arbitration will go well at the end of May.
Another patent matter is approaching filing of the utility patent application. I handle only inventions that are easy for me to understand both in technical and commercial terms. If I can’t believe it works, or can’t believe it could be sold, I turn it down.
In another debt defense case, the firm’s client has offered a meaningful settlement plan and we are waiting for the creditor’s response.
A defaulting business buyer has filed spurious counterclaims against the firm’s client in Waterbury Superior Court.
After due diligence, one of the firm’s clients decided not to proceed with buying a convenience store. There simply were too many factors weighing against that move. Although it’s nice to close a deal and get paid, sometimes the right move for the client is to walk away.
