Business Disputes
San Diego Business Dispute and Commercial Litigation Attorneys
Khashayar Law Group represents California businesses and individuals in commercial litigation throughout San Diego County. The firm has secured a $61.5 million jury verdict against a multi-billion-dollar insurance company in a complex commercial case involving legal malpractice, patent negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty — among the largest verdicts in San Diego County history. The firm litigates breach of contract, business torts, partnership disputes, and fiduciary-duty cases with the trial discipline most business firms cannot match.
Common California Business Dispute Categories
The firm regularly handles:
- Breach of contract — written and oral, including UCC §2-207 "battle of the forms" disputes.
- Breach of fiduciary duty — by directors, officers, managers, partners, and majority shareholders.
- Business torts — fraud, intentional misrepresentation, negligent misrepresentation, tortious interference with contract or prospective economic advantage, and unfair competition under California Business & Professions Code §17200.
- Partnership and LLC disputes — dissolution, buyouts, accounting actions.
- Shareholder derivative claims under California Corporations Code §800.
- Trade secret misappropriation under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Civil Code §§3426 et seq.) and the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act.
- Indemnification and contribution claims arising from underlying litigation or contractual indemnities.
Why Trial-Readiness Drives Business Dispute Outcomes
Most California business disputes settle. Whether the settlement reflects the case's true value depends on whether the opposing party believes the case will actually be tried. Carriers and corporate defendants calibrate offers based on opposing counsel's trial record. Khashayar Law Group prepares every business dispute as if it will be tried — a standard that produces stronger settlements and protects clients when the other side refuses to pay fair value.
How Khashayar Law Group Handles These Matters
Khashayar Law Group approaches every matter with the same trial-ready discipline that produced over $165 million in recoveries firm-wide. Daryoosh Khashayar has tried cases before juries, before judges, and before the California Court of Appeal, where he has secured multiple reversals of Superior Court rulings. He has litigated against major insurers including GEICO and Progressive, and against large corporations including Walmart and Costco.
ABOTA Membership and What It Means for Clients
Daryoosh Khashayar is a member of ABOTA — the American Board of Trial Advocates, an invitation-only organization for attorneys with exceptional verified civil jury trial experience and judicial recommendations. The firm has recovered more than $165 million for clients and prepares every matter — transactional or litigated — with the trial-readiness corporate counterparties respect.
Time Limits and Governing California Law
Statutes of limitations vary by claim: four years for written-contract breach (CCP §337), two years for oral-contract breach (CCP §339), three years for fraud and statutory liability (CCP §338), four years for breach of fiduciary duty (CCP §343), and three years for trade-secret misappropriation (Civil Code §3426.6). Business & Professions Code §17208 generally provides a four-year limit for unfair-competition claims. Missing a statute can end a claim regardless of liability strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to sue for breach of contract in California?
Four years from breach for written contracts under California Code of Civil Procedure §337; two years for oral contracts under §339.
Can I recover attorneys' fees in a California business dispute?
Only when a statute or contract provides for fee-shifting. California follows the American Rule by default. Many commercial contracts include prevailing-party fee provisions under Civil Code §1717, which is reciprocal even if drafted one-sided.
What is breach of fiduciary duty and who owes it?
A fiduciary duty is the duty to act in another's best interests. Directors, officers, partners, managers, and majority shareholders owe fiduciary duties under California law. Breach claims typically allege self-dealing, usurpation of corporate opportunity, or failure to disclose material information.
What is California Business & Professions Code §17200?
California's Unfair Competition Law (UCL), which prohibits any "unlawful, unfair, or fraudulent" business act or practice. Remedies include injunctions and restitution. The UCL is used in many business disputes alongside common-law claims.
Should I sue or arbitrate?
It depends on the contract and the strategic context. Many commercial contracts mandate arbitration under California Code of Civil Procedure §1281 or the Federal Arbitration Act. The firm evaluates enforceability, venue, discovery rules, and appellate options before recommending a forum.
Talk to a San Diego Business Litigation Attorney
Khashayar Law Group serves clients throughout San Diego and California. Consultations are free and confidential. Call (858) 509-1550 or visit our office at 1350 Columbia St., Suite 303, San Diego, CA 92101.
