Business disputes we may take
We represent businesses, owners, and founders, including technology companies and startups, in disputes over contracts, ownership, and competition in Virginia. We take a limited number of these matters, so we ask everyone to answer the questions below before we schedule a consultation.
It takes about ten minutes. Answer what you can; "not sure" is always an acceptable answer.
Preliminary inquiry only — no attorney-client relationship
Completing a questionnaire, submitting a form, calling, or emailing the firm is a preliminary inquiry. It does not create an attorney-client relationship. Thomas H. Roberts & Associates, PC does not represent you unless and until the firm agrees to do so in a written, signed fee agreement.
Consistent with Rule 1.18 of the Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct, we treat the information you provide in a preliminary inquiry as confidential, and we will not use or reveal it except as those Rules permit. That confidentiality does not make you our client, does not mean we have agreed to take your matter, and does not mean the firm is protecting any deadline for you. You alone remain responsible for every statute of limitations, notice requirement, and filing deadline until the firm has agreed to represent you in a written, signed fee agreement.
So that we can first check for conflicts of interest, please share only the basic facts needed to evaluate your matter, and do not send confidential information or documents until we have spoken.
Matters we look for
- Breach of contract, unpaid invoices, and failed deals
- Disputes among owners, partners, LLC members, and shareholders
- Fraud, business conspiracy, and interference with contracts or customers
- Trade secrets, non-competes, and employees or partners who leave with clients
- Software, IT services, and technology contract disputes
Matters we usually can't take
- Disputes under about $25,000
- Collection of consumer debts
- Disputes governed by another state’s courts under a contract, unless Virginia counsel is needed
- Matters where you need a lawyer to work only for a percentage of the recovery
Every matter is different, and these are general guides, not rules. If you are unsure, complete the questions and we will review them. Submitting this form does not make you our client.
