Big-Law Sophistication. Boutique Focus.
When a business dispute threatens the company you built or the capital you invested, you need counsel who understands both the deal and the courtroom. Josh Stanton has extensive experience representing founders, entrepreneurs, and sophisticated investors in complex commercial disputes, drawing on years at a large international law firm and as a partner at a highly regarded litigation boutique in New York City.
At Stanton Law DC, you work directly with Josh, not a rotating team of junior associates. Every matter receives the rigor of a major-firm litigation practice with the responsiveness, judgment, and efficiency of a boutique.
Our Litigation & Trial Approach
Most business disputes are won or lost on leverage. Stanton Law DC identifies the pressure points early, builds the record from day one as though the case will go to trial, and uses that preparation to drive favorable resolutions. When the other side will not be reasonable, we are ready to take the case to a verdict or an arbitration award.
Who We Represent
- Founders and executives in disputes with co-founders, boards, investors, and the companies they built.
- Entrepreneurs and closely held businesses facing partnership, contract, and ownership disputes.
- Investors, including angel investors, family offices, and fund principals, seeking to protect or recover their investments.
- Emerging and growth-stage companies in disputes with competitors, vendors, former executives, and business partners.
Commercial Disputes We Handle
Founder & Shareholder Disputes
Co-founder breakups, equity and vesting disputes, deadlocked boards, minority shareholder oppression, and fights over control of the company.
Partnership & LLC Disputes
Breaches of operating and partnership agreements, buyouts and dissolutions, and claims for breach of fiduciary duty against managers, partners, and directors.
Investment, Fraud & Misrepresentation Claims
Claims arising from misrepresentations to investors, misuse of investor funds, and failed deals, whether you are seeking recovery or defending against allegations.
Breach of Contract & Business Torts
High-value contract disputes, tortious interference, unfair competition, and disputes with vendors, customers, and strategic partners.
Executive Compensation & Restrictive Covenants
Disputes over equity, bonuses, clawbacks, and separation terms, and the enforcement or defense of non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality agreements and trade secret claims.
When a Business Dispute Carries Criminal Risk
Allegations of fraud, embezzlement, or misappropriation can draw the attention of prosecutors and regulators, and what you say in a civil case can be used against you in a criminal one. Josh Stanton's background as a white collar criminal defense lawyer allows Stanton Law DC to manage both fronts at once. Learn more about parallel civil and criminal proceedings.
How We Approach Your Case
Early Case Assessment
We evaluate the facts, the contracts, and the business realities to define what winning looks like for you, and what it is worth.
Strategy & Leverage
We identify the other side's pressure points, preserve critical evidence, and position the case for an early, favorable resolution where possible.
Negotiation & Mediation
We negotiate from strength, backed by a fully developed case, to reach a resolution that protects your business and your capital.
Litigation, Arbitration & Trial
When resolution is not possible, we litigate aggressively in state and federal court and in arbitration before AAA, JAMS, and other forums.
Where We Litigate
Stanton Law DC litigates commercial disputes in the state and federal courts of the District of Columbia and Maryland and in the Virginia state courts. Josh Stanton is also admitted in New York, including the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, and the firm represents clients in private arbitration nationwide.