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Showing posts from August, 2012

Litigation-I Win, You Lose vs. Mediation-Win/Win

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  Litigation is a zero-sum game.  It destroys relationships and fosters enmity between the parties.  Parties rarely walk away happy.  Even if they win, the expense of litigation is enormous, and collecting on judgments is difficult. Disputes ultimately resolve, but the focus on winning at any cost can lead to prolonged legal battles.  Living with a lawsuit causes ongoing stress, which can distract you from your business and even have an effect on your health. In a courtroom, the final decision lies with a judge or jury who may not fully grasp the complexities of the case. Parties relinquish control over the outcome, potentially leaving them dissatisfied with the final judgment. Mediation has the opposite effect.   Rather than polarizing people, it enables the parties to attack the issues and not each other.     The process promotes open communication, collaboration and problem-solving, which enables parties to actively participate in crafting ...
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Legal Tools for the Contractor's Toolbox

I was just thinking about two recent clients who were owed money by owners.  One had a contract that was not in compliance with the Massachusetts Home Improvement Contractor Statute and had waited a long time to pursue his money.  The other had a contract that fully protected him and contacted me once communication had broken down with the customer.  In the first case, my client ended up writing the homeowner a check because he couldn't face the risk of the multiple damages, attorney's fees, interest and costs that are available to the homeowner under the Consumer Protection Statute (c. 93A).  In the case of the second, I had no qualms about filing a mechanic's lien and pursuing payment aggressively because my client was in full compliance with state law. Just as no respectable contractor would work with poor quality tools, contractors and construction companies should make sure that they are working with high-quality legal "tools" that will protect them ...
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