Commercial Litigation Lawyer Newport Beach, CA

If you’re facing a commercial lawsuit in Newport Beach, seeking legal guidance early strengthens your position, increasing the odds of a favorable outcome. Business disputes escalate fast. Revenue takes a hit, relationships fracture, and what started as a company problem can quickly expose owners to personal liability.

At Ghassemian Law Group, we’ve defended companies across Southern California for over 26 years. Our founding attorney, Mahyar Ghassemian, built this firm to focus on serious business disputes. We bring small firm values and big firm experience to every case. Our Newport Beach, CA commercial litigation lawyer handles breach of contract claims, shareholder fights, trade secret disputes, and fraud allegations, among other commercial matters. Collectively, our team has over 100 years of litigation experience. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.

Why Choose Ghassemian Law Group for Commercial Litigation in Newport Beach, CA?

Led by a Founding Attorney With 26 Years in Business Litigation

Mahyar Ghassemian has practiced business and construction litigation in Southern California since 1999. She graduated Cum Laude from Western State University College of Law after earning a master’s in physics with honors from Cal State Long Beach. That analytical background pays off in commercial cases. Shareholder disputes, fraud claims, and trade secret matters often depend on technical proof, financial records, and complex timelines.

Multi-Million Dollar Results for Business Clients

We’ve produced multi-million dollar results for companies defending against serious commercial claims. That includes defeating individual liability exposure for a client sued by a multi-billion dollar corporation, successfully extracting shareholders from a $2.3 million corporate governance battle, and saving a general contractor’s $3 million annual contract in a public works dispute.

Representation Across Languages

Our attorneys also bring fluency in English, Persian, Turkish, French, and conversational Spanish. For clients operating internationally or working with partners, vendors, or witnesses who don’t speak English as a first language, that fluency means faster communication and fewer misunderstandings in depositions and document review.

Involvement That Reflects Our Client Base

Ms. Ghassemian volunteers with the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Associated General Contractors, the Southern California Contractors Association, and the Orange County Bar Association. We spend time with business owners outside the courtroom, and that informs how we represent them inside it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Ghassemian Law Group demonstrated professionalism, expertise, and dedication throughout the entire process; they took the time to understand the complexities of our case, communicated clearly, and provided expert guidance at every step. We truly appreciate their commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for our company. We highly recommend Ghassemian Law Group.” — Miriam Santana

Read more reviews on our Google Business Profile.

Types of Commercial Litigation Cases We Handle in Newport Beach

Commercial litigation covers a wide range of business disputes. We’ve handled most of them, often representing companies facing claims of $100,000 or more. Our commercial litigation practice spans these core areas:

• Breach of Contract Disputes. Contract fights make up a large portion of commercial litigation in California. We defend and prosecute claims involving written, oral, and implied agreements. Our attorneys also handle disputes over verbal contracts in California, which carry different evidentiary burdens than written ones.
• Shareholder and Partnership Disputes. When business partners turn against each other, the company often becomes collateral damage. We’ve represented shareholders in multi-state corporate governance battles, obtained injunctions, and negotiated settlements that preserved client equity stakes. Business partnership issues require aggressive action and a steady hand. We bring both.
• Unfair Competition and Trade Secrets. California protects businesses against competitors who steal customer lists, proprietary information, or key employees. We pursue and defend these claims under California’s Uniform Trade Secrets Act and Business and Professions Code §17200.
• Breach of Fiduciary Duty. Officers, directors, and partners owe duties to the company and to each other. When those duties are violated, the damages can be substantial. We handle these cases from both sides.
• Fraud and Misrepresentation. Commercial fraud claims often arise in mergers, asset sales, and business acquisitions. Recognizing fraud early is often the difference between a recoverable loss and a catastrophic one, which is when your business needs a litigator. These cases demand detailed financial analysis and document review, which is where our approach pays off.
• Insurance Coverage Disputes. We act as Cumis counsel (independent counsel) when insurers assign defense attorneys with conflicts of interest. Business owners deserve lawyers whose loyalty is to them, not the insurance company.
• Business Tort Claims. Interference with contract, interference with prospective economic advantage, conversion, and other business torts fall within our practice. We’ve seen top business litigation case types evolve significantly over the past decade, and we stay current.
• Corporate Governance Matters. Deadlock, oppression of minority shareholders, and disputes over control frequently land in court. These cases require both litigation skill and an understanding of how corporations actually operate day to day.

California Legal Requirements for Commercial Litigation

California has specific statutes that govern commercial disputes. Missing a deadline or misreading a requirement can cost a business its case regardless of the underlying merits.

The statute of limitations for breach of a written contract in California is four years under Code of Civil Procedure §337. For oral contracts, the deadline shrinks to two years under Code of Civil Procedure §339. Fraud claims generally carry a three-year limit, and the clock may start running from the date of discovery rather than the date of the wrongdoing. This matters in commercial disputes because many fraudulent acts are concealed for months or years.

California’s Unfair Competition Law, codified at Business and Professions Code §17200, gives businesses broad rights to challenge unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent practices by competitors. Trade secret claims fall under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act, which authorizes injunctions, damages, and in some cases attorney’s fees.

Commercial cases usually proceed in the California Superior Court, though disputes involving federal questions or diversity jurisdiction may be filed or removed to federal court. The choice of forum affects discovery rules, trial timelines, and strategy. We evaluate that question at the start of every case.

Important Aspects of a Newport Beach Commercial Litigation Case

Informed clients make better decisions. The issues below come up in most commercial disputes, and understanding them early gives business owners real control over how their case unfolds.

Preserving Evidence From Day One

The moment a business dispute appears likely, both sides have obligations to preserve evidence. Emails, contracts, financial records, and electronic communications all become relevant. Destroying or altering them, even inadvertently, can result in sanctions. We issue litigation hold notices immediately and help clients set up proper preservation protocols.

Personal Liability Exposure

Many business owners assume that forming an LLC or corporation shields them personally. That’s often true. But fraud allegations, alter ego claims, and personal guarantees can pierce the corporate veil and put personal assets at risk. In one matter, we defeated individual liability exposure for a client sued by a multi-billion dollar corporation, saving the business and the owner’s personal wealth.

Early Case Assessment and Strategy

Not every case should go to trial. Not every case should settle quickly either. Commercial litigation requires honest, early analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and realistic outcomes. We give clients that assessment in plain language, along with a litigation budget and a recommended path forward. Bringing in a business litigator early, sometimes before a lawsuit is even filed, often produces better results and lower overall costs.

Insurance Coverage Analysis

Business policies often cover more than owners realize. Commercial general liability, directors and officers, errors and omissions, and cyber policies may all apply depending on the claim. We review coverage at the outset and pursue reimbursement for defense costs where available.

Injunctive Relief and Provisional Remedies

Some disputes can’t wait for trial. When a former employee walks off with trade secrets or a business partner starts siphoning company funds, we move quickly for temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions. California courts require strong evidence and specific showings for this relief, and our attorneys have obtained it in shareholder disputes and competition cases.

The Cost of Litigation

Commercial cases take time and money. Clients deserve to know what to expect. We discuss fees, costs, and realistic timelines openly. For businesses sued on claims over $100,000, the stakes usually justify the investment, but that conversation happens upfront, not after the bills arrive.

Contact Ghassemian Law Group

At Ghassemian Law Group, our mission is to give business owners peace of mind. Commercial disputes don’t resolve themselves. Whether your business has been sued or is preparing to sue, schedule a free consultation with our Newport Beach commercial litigation attorney. During that meeting, we’ll review the facts, identify the key legal issues, and give you an honest assessment of where you stand. Contact us to learn how our strategies and skilled representation can make a difference in your case.