Maryland Business Litigation Lawyer Blog
It’s a story we see often: a business starts with the best intentions, often between people who trust each other implicitly. Sometimes, that trust is built on a personal, romantic relationship. But when that relationship ends, the business becomes collateral damage, and the stakes can quickly become catastrophic.
I represented a client who was the rightful owner of a flourishing business, managed by a former romantic partner. When the relationship dissolved, the ex-partner decided they wanted more than just a clean break. They wanted the entire company.
The Weaponization of the Law
Initially, my client tried the civilized route: negotiating a fair buyout. However, the ex-partner rejected every reasonable offer. Instead of engaging in good faith business negotiations, they chose a darker path: leveraging the legal system through manufactured protective orders and criminal charges.
The ex knew one crucial fact: my client, as the owner, had to continue visiting the physical location to manage essential operations. This necessity became the weapon. By fabricating claims of abuse and harassment, the ex-partner manufactured a situation where the owner risked legal trouble simply by doing his job. Our client found himself facing the threat of criminal charges and a protective order, all designed to intimidate him into walking away from his livelihood for nothing. The business attorney who referred me the matter, knew that he needed to call in someone with specific criminal experience.
This is a stark reminder that in co-founder and partnership disputes, the line between personal revenge and professional leverage can vanish entirely.
Our Strategy: Remove the Leverage, Restore the Facts
The challenge was immense. We weren’t just fighting a commercial dispute; we were fighting a coordinated attempt to weaponize the police and the courts. Our primary goal was clear: remove the criminal leverage immediately.
We had to aggressively and ethically dismantle the fabricated narrative. This meant meticulously gathering evidence, presenting unimpeachable timelines, and demonstrating a pattern of vexatious litigation aimed solely at gaining commercial advantage. Our production of text messages, videos, and other independent witnesses ultimately persuaded the state to dismiss all charges.
The dedication to proving the truth paid off. We successfully secured the dismissal of three separate criminal cases: a critical win that stripped the ex-partner of their primary tool of intimidation.
The Path to a Proper Resolution
With the threat of jail time and protective orders eliminated, the dispute was finally brought back to where it belonged: a business negotiation based on commercial value, not emotional manipulation. The ex-partner, having lost all illegal leverage, was forced to negotiate a fair, proper, and legal resolution to acquire the business.
This case wasn’t just about protecting an asset; it was about protecting our client’s freedom and integrity. It proves that even when the facts are obscured by malice, diligent and assertive legal advocacy can cut through the noise, defend the innocent, and force parties back onto the path of lawful resolution.
Contact an Experienced Business Disputes Team
Silverman Thompson’s business litigation team regularly collaborates with our criminal defense attorneys for a holistic approach to your case.
Representing both civil and criminal matters, Partner Kurt Nachtman handles business disputes with a unique understanding of the law and how to protect both your business and personal liberties.
He can be reached at kurt@silvermanthompson.com or toll-free at 800.385.2243.