Interference With Business Relationships

At Vernon Litigation Group, we represent business owners and executives pursuing tortious interference claims where the financial harm is substantial and the wrongdoer has the assets to answer for it. These are not typical business disagreements or personal disputes. They are cases where someone intentionally and wrongfully damaged the economic value of a relationship you built. 

We focus on cases involving $100,000 or more in quantifiable economic harm, because that is the threshold where litigation makes financial sense for the client. Below that number, the economics rarely serve you well, and we will tell you so honestly at the outset. 

If a third party has intentionally interfered with your business and cost you six figures or more, we want to help. Call (239) 319-4434 or connect through our online form to request a free, confidential consultation. 

Who We Represent 

Our tortious interference clients are business owners, executives, and counsel dealing with intentional, wrongful conduct that has caused—or is actively causing—serious financial damage.  

Our work is most effective when: 

• The interference has caused $100,000 or more in direct, quantifiable economic harm 
• The party who interfered (or the party who assisted them) has substantial assets, insurance, or income to satisfy a judgment 
• The conduct was intentional and wrongful, not ordinary competition or a routine business disagreement 

If you are unsure whether your situation clears that bar, the fastest way to find out is a direct conversation with one of our attorneys. 

The Cases We Handle 

In our experience, the defendant is just as likely to be a direct competitor as a disgruntled former partner or an outside vendor. Over the years, we’ve handled matters involving: 

• A competitor inducing employees or clients to violate enforceable non-compete or non-solicitation agreements, or using other improper means to interfere with established business relationships 
• A former partner or insider working to divert business, clients, or opportunities away from the company 
• A third party who intentionally induces or assists another party's breach in order to disrupt your contractual or business relationships  
• A third party intentionally causing a significant transaction to fail through improper interference  
• False statements, fraudulent representations, or other improper conduct directed at customers, vendors, or business partners that intentionally disrupts existing business relationships 
• Interference with contractual relationships designed to induce a breach or cause a transaction to fail 

The central question is whether a third party intentionally and unjustifiably interfered with a protected business relationship or contract, causing measurable economic harm. 

Identifying Potentially Liable Third Parties 

Not every breach of contract gives rise to a tortious interference claim. In many cases, your primary claim is against the party that breached the agreement. Tortious interference is different in that it focuses on a third party that intentionally and unjustifiably interfered with an existing contractual or business relationship.  

In some cases, the third party helping the breaching party may have more to lose financially than the party who is technically in breach of contract.  So, an important part of evaluating any claim involves identifying parties with the financial ability to satisfy a judgment, because collectability can significantly affect our litigation strategy.  

This is one of the first things we evaluate in every case. Rather than fixating on the most obvious wrongdoer, we look at everyone whose conduct contributed to your harm and target the recovery strategy where it will do the most good for your bottom line. 

What You Must Prove in a Florida Tortious Interference Claim 

Tortious interference is an intent-based claim. To recover, you will generally need to establish that the third party acted knowingly and wrongfully. Our attorneys work to prove the following: 

• An existing business relationship or contract that provides identifiable legal rights were present between you and another party 
• The wrongdoer knew that relationship or contract existed 
• The wrongdoer intentionally and unjustifiably interfered with the relationship or contract, resulting in its breach, termination, or other disruption  
• The interference was unjustified or accomplished through improper means, rather than privileged or lawful competition  
• You suffered measurable financial damages as a direct result 
• Intent, justification, causation, and damages are frequently among the most heavily disputed issues in these cases.  

Our Approach: Protect Your Business, Don't Just Punish the Wrongdoer 

The instinct when someone sabotages your business is to make them pay for what they did. While we understand that impulse, we also know that a litigation strategy built on punishment rarely serves your interests. 

The more important goal is to build a strategy that protects and advances your business interests. As a litigation firm focused specifically on financial and business disputes, we keep your overall financial and business objectives in mind at every stage, both inside and outside the courtroom. 

In practice, that means pursuing an aggressive, well-prepared strategy designed to create doubt in the opposing party's mind. If continuing the dispute will cost more than resolving it, the other party may be quicker to agree to an early resolution.  

If you are worried that this interference could permanently damage your company's reputation, that concern belongs at the center of the strategy, not on the sidelines. We factor the protection of your business relationships and standing into how, when, and where we push. 

How to Prepare for Your First Consultation 

Our consultations are substantive, and the more prepared you are, the more we can accomplish during our first conversation. Come ready to address: 

• Your estimated financial damage. What has this interference cost you in lost profits, lost contracts, lost clients, or diverted business? A specific number, even a rough one, helps us assess viability quickly. 
• Who interfered, and who may have participated in or facilitated the interference. Identify not only the obvious wrongdoer but anyone who may have assisted or benefited. 
• Whether the wrongdoers have assets. Collectability is an important consideration because even a favorable judgment may require additional efforts to enforce. 
• The relationship or contract at issue. Bring the agreement if one exists, along with any correspondence, and note any venue, jurisdiction, or arbitration terms. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the minimum case size you handle? 

We focus on tortious interference matters involving $100,000 or more in quantifiable financial harm. Below that threshold, the cost of litigation often outweighs the potential recovery, and we will tell you that honestly rather than take a case that won't serve you. 

The person who broke the contract has no money. Is it still worth pursuing? 

Possibly. In some circumstances, you may have claims against a third party that intentionally and unjustifiably induced or facilitated the breach of your contractual or business relationship. Whether those claims exist depends on the specific facts. 

How is tortious interference different from aggressive competition? 

Florida law recognizes that businesses are generally free to compete for customers and employees. A tortious interference claim typically requires more than vigorous competition; it requires intentional and unjustified interference with an existing contractual or business relationship through improper means or conduct not protected by law. 

What is the statute of limitations for tortious interference in Florida? 

Tortious interference claims in Florida are generally subject to a 4-year statute of limitations; however, the specific deadline may depend on the facts of the case.  

Do you represent both sides of these disputes? 

We represent the party that has suffered the financial harm; the party pursuing recovery. Our practice is built around plaintiff-side business litigation. 

Schedule a Consultation with Vernon Litigation Group 

If a competitor, former partner, or third party has intentionally interfered with your contracts or business relationships—and it has cost you six figures or more—the sooner you act, the more options you are likely to have. 

Call us at (239) 319-4434 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation. We serve businesses throughout Southwest Florida, and we focus on high-stakes commercial litigation where meaningful recovery is realistically achievable.