Business Tort Litigation Attorneys | King & Jones
When a Competitor, Partner, or Bad Actor Targets Your Business, We Fight Back
Not every business dispute is a contract case. Some of the most damaging commercial wrongdoing — fraud, interference with key relationships, defamation of a company’s reputation — occurs outside the four corners of any agreement. These are business torts: civil wrongs that can derail transactions, destroy partnerships, cripple operations, and cause financial harm that takes years to recover from.
At King & Jones, we represent companies, entrepreneurs, athletes, business owners, partners, and executives in complex business tort litigation. From our Chicago office, we litigate high-stakes matters in state and federal courts across the country — pursuing those who have committed commercial wrongdoing and defending those who have been wrongfully accused of it. We move quickly, we prepare thoroughly, and we bring the kind of courtroom experience that changes outcomes.
What Is a Business Tort?
A business tort is a wrongful act — other than a breach of contract — that causes economic harm to a business or its owners. Unlike contract claims, which arise from broken agreements, business torts arise from conduct that is fraudulent, deceptive, unfair, or otherwise unlawful under common law or statute.
Business tort claims often arise alongside contract disputes, but they carry distinct legal standards, different remedies, and the potential for punitive damages when the conduct is egregious. Identifying and pursuing the right combination of claims can significantly affect what your case is worth and what outcomes are available.
Business Tort Claims We Handle
King & Jones has deep experience litigating the full range of commercial tort claims, including:
Fraud and Misrepresentation When a party knowingly makes false statements — about the value of a business, the terms of a deal, the financial condition of a company, or any other material fact — to induce another party to act, the consequences can be severe. We pursue fraud claims on behalf of those deceived and defend clients against fraud allegations that overreach or misstate the facts.
Tortious Interference with Contract or Business Expectancy When a third party wrongfully disrupts an existing contract or intentionally undermines a business relationship you had a reasonable expectation of entering, you may have a tortious interference claim. These cases frequently arise in competitive industries where a rival has crossed the line from tough competition into unlawful interference.
Trade Secret Misappropriation The theft of confidential business information — client lists, proprietary processes, software, pricing strategies — can devastate a company’s competitive position. We pursue misappropriation claims aggressively under both the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act and state law, and we defend clients against claims that are legally deficient or commercially motivated. For a full overview of our trade secret practice, see our Trade Secret Litigation page.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty Officers, directors, partners, trustees, and financial advisors all owe duties of loyalty and care to those they serve. When a fiduciary puts their own interests first — through self-dealing, concealment, or outright misappropriation — the harm can be profound. We litigate fiduciary duty cases for both those wronged and those defending against allegations of misconduct. For a full overview, see our Breach of Fiduciary Duty page.
Unfair Competition and Business Defamation False statements about a company’s products, services, or business practices — whether made to customers, in the marketplace, or online — can cause lasting reputational and financial damage. We pursue claims for trade libel, commercial defamation, and unfair competition, and we defend businesses against these claims when the allegations are unsupported or legally insufficient.
Plaintiff or Defendant — We’ve Litigated Both Sides
Some firms handle only one side of business tort disputes. We don’t. Having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in business tort cases across nearly every industry, we understand how the other side builds its case — and we use that perspective to anticipate arguments, close vulnerabilities, and find leverage others overlook.
For plaintiffs, we assess the full landscape of available claims, pursue emergency relief where appropriate, and build toward the strongest possible outcome — whether through negotiated resolution or a verdict at trial.
For defendants, we scrutinize the legal and factual basis of every claim, challenge overreaching allegations, and provide the kind of rigorous, strategic defense that protects both the immediate case and our clients’ long-term business interests.
If your business has been harmed by fraud, interference, unfair competition, or other commercial misconduct — or if you are defending against business tort allegations — King & Jones is ready to help.
More information on business torts