Business disputes cost more than money. They take time away from running the company, strain relationships with partners, customers, and vendors, and can put contracts, property, and personal guaranties at risk. The Law Office of Brantley Oakey has represented clients in Florida since 2012 and handles business and commercial litigation for companies and owners in Naples and Collier County.
Call 239-963-2897 to talk through the dispute and the options that may be available.
Business disputes we handle
- Contract disputes: breach of contract, nonpayment, failure to perform, and disputes over what an agreement means. See breach of contract claims and our Naples contract attorney page.
- Partner, member, and shareholder disputes: disagreements among the owners of an LLC, partnership, or closely held corporation over management, money, information, or an exit.
- Commercial collections: unpaid invoices and accounts. See when to hire a commercial collection attorney.
- Commercial lease disputes: for landlords and tenants. See commercial lease disputes.
- Construction and contractor disputes: covered below.
- Appeals of business judgments. See our Florida appellate attorney page.
Deadlines in business cases
Florida sets time limits for filing suit. For example, section 95.11(2)(b), Florida Statutes, generally allows 5 years for an action on a written contract. Contracts can also set their own notice requirements, cure periods, and dispute-resolution steps, such as mediation or arbitration, that must be followed first. Checking these early protects options that can otherwise be lost.
Construction and contractor disputes
Construction disputes can involve property owners, associations, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Florida law adds steps that do not apply to ordinary contract cases.
Construction defect claims and Chapter 558 notice
Before filing a lawsuit or arbitration over an alleged construction defect, a claimant generally must serve a written notice of claim on the contractor, subcontractor, supplier, or design professional. The notice must be served at least 60 days before filing, or at least 120 days before filing for an association representing more than 20 parcels (section 558.004(1)(a)). It must describe the alleged defects in reasonable detail (section 558.004(1)(b)). The statute then sets a process for inspection and a written response, which can lead to repair, payment, or settlement before litigation.
Time limits for construction claims
Section 95.11(3)(b) generally allows 4 years for an action founded on the design, planning, or construction of an improvement to real property. The time usually runs from the earliest of the certificate of occupancy, the certificate of completion, or abandonment of construction. For latent defects, it runs from when the defect was or should have been discovered, but within an outer limit of 7 years in most cases.
Construction liens and payment disputes
Contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers who are not paid may have construction lien rights under Chapter 713, Florida Statutes. A claim of lien generally must be recorded no later than 90 days after the claimant’s final furnishing of labor, services, or materials (section 713.08(5)). A recorded lien generally lasts only 1 year unless an action to enforce it is started within that time (section 713.22(1)). Owners who receive a lien, and contractors who need to file one, both face short deadlines, and notice requirements earlier in the project can affect the outcome.
How we approach a business dispute
- Review the documents: contracts, change orders, invoices, emails, and corporate records.
- Identify deadlines and required steps: statutes of limitations, contract notice provisions, and Chapter 558 or Chapter 713 requirements.
- Assess the business goal: getting paid, ending a relationship, protecting a company, or resolving the matter quickly.
- Negotiate where it makes sense, through demand letters, mediation, or settlement.
- Litigate or arbitrate when necessary, in state court, federal court, or arbitration.
Whether attorney fees can be recovered depends on the contract and any statute that applies, so we review that at the start.
Talk with a Naples business litigation attorney
If a business dispute is building, or you have received a demand letter, a lien, or a lawsuit, call the Law Office of Brantley Oakey at 239-963-2897. The office is at 780 5th Ave S, Ste 200, Naples, FL 34102, and is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This page is general information only, not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Statute references are to the 2026 Florida Statutes and may change.