Alaska Complex Commercial Litigation Lawyers
We try large business disputes in Alaska state and federal courts for companies, owners, tribal entities, and school districts.
Quick answer
Complex commercial litigation means high-stakes disputes between businesses or institutions. These cases often involve large damages, many parties, heavy records, and expert proof. We handle them from investigation through trial and appeal. Other lawyers bring us in when a case is too large to handle alone.
What makes a commercial case complex?
Most of our commercial cases share several of these features.
- Large damages, often in the millions of dollars.
- Many parties, contracts, or related lawsuits.
- Heavy document and electronic discovery.
- Expert proof on accounting, valuation, engineering, or industry practice.
- Parallel proceedings in arbitration, federal court, or more than one state.
- An insurer, a public entity, or a tribal entity on one side.
Cases we handle
- Breach of contract, guarantees, and joint ventures.
- Business fraud and misrepresentation.
- Breach of fiduciary duty and derivative claims.
- Minority shareholder and LLC member oppression, and corporate dissolution. See Shareholder & LLC Disputes.
- Unfair trade practices.
- Insurance coverage and bad faith for businesses and public entities. See Insurance Bad Faith.
- Class actions and multidistrict litigation.
- Real estate disclosure disputes.
Tribal entities and school districts
We represent tribal entities and school districts in complex litigation. These cases have included large damage claims and large insurance claims.
Institutional clients need counsel who can carry a large case through discovery, experts, and trial. They also need a firm that understands Alaska and the communities these clients serve.
Our experience
Partner Peter Sandberg obtained a $4 million judgment against an international oil company in a dispute over a commercial guarantee. He also obtained a $6.2 million arbitration award in a minority shareholder oppression dispute.
He has litigated several multimillion-dollar shareholder and corporate dissolution cases. He assisted with a large derivative action against an international oil corporation. He served on the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee in a federal multidistrict litigation over hip implants.
Partner Dustin Glazier served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Alaska. He defended federal agencies in numerous complex civil matters.
Our attorneys have also settled cases early when that was the right move for the client. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any other matter.
The firm other lawyers call
Lawyers in Alaska and other states refer complex cases to us. They also bring us in as co-counsel when a case is headed to trial. See For Referring Lawyers.
How we approach a large business dispute
Most business disputes start with trust that turned into a sense of betrayal. The other side usually believes it is the one in the right.
We give clients an early, candid view of the case. Sometimes the right move is trial. Sometimes it is settlement, or waiting until the facts are developed. We tell you which, and why.
Fees and fee risk
We take business cases on hourly, contingency, or hybrid terms, depending on the case. We discuss the options before you decide to hire us.
Alaska Civil Rule 82 can require the losing party to pay part of the winner's attorney fees. That risk applies to both sides, and it shapes strategy from the start.
Frequently asked questions
What is complex commercial litigation?
It is high-stakes litigation between businesses or institutions. These cases often involve large damages, many parties, years of records, expert proof, or claims in more than one forum. We handle them from investigation through trial and appeal.
What kinds of business disputes do you handle?
Contract and guarantee disputes, business fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, shareholder and LLC disputes, unfair trade practices, insurance coverage and bad faith, class actions, and real estate disclosure disputes.
Do you represent tribal entities and school districts?
Yes. We represent tribal entities and school districts in complex litigation. These cases have included large damage claims and large insurance claims.
Do you work with other law firms?
Yes. Lawyers refer complex cases to us and bring us in as co-counsel. Any fee division is set out in writing and confirmed to the client, as Alaska Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(e) requires.
How do you charge business clients?
It depends on the case. We take business cases on hourly, contingency, or hybrid terms. We will discuss the options with you before you decide to hire us.
What is the statute of limitations for a business dispute in Alaska?
It depends on the claim. Alaska's statutes of limitations set different deadlines for different kinds of claims, and some are short. If you miss a deadline, you may lose the right to recover. Call us early so we can protect your claim.
This page gives general information, not legal advice for your situation.