Stage the work.
Plan legal work, data collection, and expert costs around meaningful milestones and a budget with clear assumptions.
A focused defense.
A business perspective.
Civil litigation defense, commercial disputes, and class action strategy with particular attention to the needs of small public companies.
Defend the case.
Protect the business.
A lawsuit creates legal questions and business decisions at the same time. Gravitas Law Group’s approach begins with the allegations, the evidence, and the client’s objectives, then connects the response to the company’s resources and practical needs.
For a small public company, that means considering more than the demand in the complaint. Defense costs, executive attention, insurance, financing, customer relationships, and reporting obligations can all affect the path forward.
Class action defense requires attention to both the merits of the claim and whether the proposed class can proceed. Commercial disputes require a clear understanding of the agreements, the performance record, and the economic consequences of each option.
Explore class action defense ↗A FOCUS ON SMALL PUBLIC COMPANIESKeep the defense aligned
Keep the defense aligned
with the company.
A lean organization needs a plan that makes the next decision clear. Establish priorities, assign responsibility, and revisit the strategy as the record develops.
Explore the company perspective ↗Connect the advisers.
Consider the roles of management, the board, insurers, disclosure counsel, and accounting advisers.
Account for operations.
Evaluate effects on customer relationships, financing, public communications, and the time required from the people running the business.
CIVIL DEFENSE & COMMERCIAL LITIGATIONExplore the issues.
Explore the issues.
Understand the options.
Detailed guides to class actions, shareholder claims, business disputes, and the decisions that shape a defense.
01
Class action defense
A class allegation can turn an individual dispute into a threat to the company’s resources, operations, and reputation. The response should address both the claim and the proposed class.
Explore this topic ↗02Litigation strategy for small public companies
For a small public company, defense costs and management distraction can be as consequential as the claim itself. A useful litigation plan accounts for the entire business.
Explore this topic ↗03Securities & shareholder class actions
Claims about public disclosures require a disciplined comparison of what was said, what was known, and what the governing statute requires.
Explore this topic ↗04Consumer & product-related class actions
Advertising, labeling, pricing, and product allegations can reach across customers, channels, and years of sales. A precise account of the business practices is essential.
Explore this topic ↗05Shareholder derivative & governance disputes
A claim brought on behalf of the corporation raises issues different from an investor’s direct claim. The company’s interests and the decision-making process need careful attention.
Explore this topic ↗06Contract & commercial disputes
A commercial dispute should be evaluated against the agreement, the course of performance, and the relationship the business needs to protect.
Explore this topic ↗07Business torts & competitive disputes
Fraud, interference, and unfair competition allegations can combine disputed communications with sensitive customer and business records.
Explore this topic ↗08Early case assessment & motion strategy
The first phase should identify what is urgent, which issues may narrow the case, and what information is worth collecting now.
Explore this topic ↗09Discovery, preservation & expert evidence
Discovery should develop the evidence needed to decide the case while accounting for cost, confidentiality, and the demands on the business.
Explore this topic ↗10Settlement, trial & business resolution
A sound defense keeps negotiated resolution and trial preparation connected to the evidence and the company’s priorities.
Explore this topic ↗Experience in context.
The experience and case histories pages describe public-company consumer class action engagements and the $1,603,897.22 revised final commercial arbitration award, with the scope and limits of each result.
View representative matters ↗Questions for the first conversation.
Does a class action complaint mean a class has been certified?
No. A putative class complaint asserts proposed class claims. Certification is a separate court decision under the applicable procedural framework. The individual claims and the proposed class both require analysis.
Can an early motion end or narrow the case?
It may, depending on the allegations, law, and procedural posture. Counsel should evaluate the available grounds, likely cost, timing, possibility of amendment, and effect on the overall strategy. No outcome can be assured.
Will insurance pay for the defense?
Coverage depends on the policy, allegations, insured parties, exclusions, notice, and other conditions. Review potentially applicable policies promptly and coordinate with insurers before assuming particular costs or a settlement will be covered.
Does every lawsuit need to be disclosed publicly?
Disclosure is a separate legal and accounting assessment. Regulation S–K Item 103 addresses material legal proceedings, subject to its terms and exceptions. Other reporting and financial statement requirements may also matter. Coordinate with securities counsel and accounting advisers.
Is a small public company exempt from class action rules?
Company size alone does not create an exemption from the applicable litigation rules. It does matter when setting a practical defense plan. SEC smaller reporting company status is a separate regulatory classification.
What should we bring to an initial discussion?
Provide the complaint, summons, service date, orders and hearing notices, principal agreements or challenged disclosures, insurance information, and known deadlines. Start with basic information so the firm can review conflicts before receiving confidential materials.
When a demand does not become a lawsuit.
Selected consumer and website demands against public companies ended the reporting period without a complaint, settlement, or payment to resolve the demand.
Explore pre-suit results ↗