Business Ownership Disputes
The excitement of starting a business is unmatched…except when relationships among owners don’t go well.
At that time it is important to have experienced lawyers involved in breaking up the business, otherwise known as business divorce. Business divorce is an emotionally intense time for all parties – business owners, accountants, and lawyers. Rather than getting caught up or influenced in the personal differences between principals, Ruder Ware’s litigators navigate clients to calmer waters, analyzing the legal issues and ramifications, and outlining solutions. We’ve worked with partnerships, closely held corporations, and family owned businesses employing a multi-faceted approach customized to the nuances of the situation. Techniques employed may include negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation. Not all disputes are destined for the court system and our litigators are skilled at exploring and evaluating solutions that don’t result in a protracted litigation expense. On the other hand, if going to trial is unavoidable, our litigation team is fully equipped to represent your case.
The culture at Ruder Ware is to practice collaboratively, meaning when a client matter takes a detour, our full-service attorney team offers a breadth and depth of legal services responsive to situational needs.
Should legal disputes extend beyond Wisconsin, Ruder Ware’s affiliation with Meritas®, an international alliance of law firms, means our network of lawyers can provide counsel for clients anywhere in this country or around the world.
Founded in 1920, Ruder Ware provides business, employment, estate planning, and litigation services through its offices in Wausau, Eau Claire, and Green Bay, Wisconsin. A full-service law firm, over 40 attorneys provide clients with a one-stop approach to their legal needs. Ruder Ware, Business Attorneys for Business Success.
Posted on March 31, 2021 by Sara J. Ackermann and Tyler M. Richardson
Today, March 31, 2021, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin ended the state-wide mask mandate after finding Executive Order (EO) #105 to be unlawful, ending it immediately. Governor Tony Evers issued EO #105 shortly after the Wisconsin Legislature revoked EO #104. This decision also blocks Governor Evers from issuing further emergency orders under Wis. Stat. § 323.10 […]
Posted on November 4, 2011 by Sara J. Ackermann
Recently, courts have awarded monetary sanctions ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000 against companies that failed to prevent the destruction of electronic evidence. These sanction amounts reveal that the failure to implement a litigation hold and preserve evidence when required can have serious consequences for your business. Many business owners, managers, and human resources professionals believe […]
Posted on July 26, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The 2011-13 Wisconsin budget bill raises the limit on many types of small claims actions. Effective July 1, 2011, the monetary limit for small claims actions for money judgments, replevin, attachments, and garnishments is $10,000 or less. Previously, the small claims limit was $5,000 or less. The increased limit does not apply to personal injury […]
Posted on May 25, 2011 by Ruder Ware Alumni
You have faithfully and scrupulously carried out your Mom’s wishes. You are her primary agent under her durable and healthcare powers of attorney because Mom wants you. She wants your companionship. She wants your care and attention. She moved from the homestead to live near you because you are the one she wants. She not […]
Posted on December 1, 2009 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Mom (or Dad) has become more than a little forgetful. Dad (or Mom) is deceased (or is mentally incompetent). Mom has some medical conditions, but she still lives in the home in which you grew up. She is on Social Security. She has some savings, some stocks, some insurance, and the family cottage up north. […]
Posted on June 18, 2007 by Ruder Ware Alumni
The Wisconsin Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of an employee’s claim for renewed workers’ compensation temporary total disability benefits (“TTD”) after he was fired for having violated a very important safety rule. The employee, Dennis Race, was an electrician for Emmpack Foods. Race suffered an on-the-job injury to his left hand. Race returned […]
Posted on May 1, 2006 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Homeowners file a complaint against you alleging that defects exist in their new home. The complaint is the first notice you have received from the disgruntled homeowners. You notify your insurance company, get the complaint to your attorney, and the time-consuming and expensive litigation process begins. Well, not so fast. In many states – perhaps […]
Posted on April 10, 2003 by Ruder Ware Alumni
Environmental issues permeate commercial and industrial real estate development and acquisition of businesses. In addition to traditional contractual mechanisms to allocate the risk of environmental liability, there are a variety of statutory protections to encourage Brownfield redevelopment. This outline will describe mechanisms available to the stakeholders in commercial and industrial development. I. LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNIT […]
Posted on September 1, 2001 by Kevin E. Wolf
Last year, the United States Supreme Court increased the burden on employers to disprove claims of discrimination. In a case known as the Reeves decision, the Supreme Court, for the first time, allowed a jury to find that discrimination had occurred based on “inferences” of discrimination rather than on direct evidence of discrimination. In other […]
