Business Litigation
An unfortunate reality of being in business is that internal and external conflicts arise that require litigation to resolve. We are experienced trial lawyers who have represented the business interests of individuals, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, trusts, and unincorporated associations throughout Massachusetts for more than 30 years in matters arising out of:
- Internal corporate disputes involving breach of fiduciary duty and corporate mismanagement in partnerships and closely held corporations, and corporate freeze-outs
- Marketplace disputes involving breach of contract by vendors, suppliers, contractors, and business partners
- Construction disputes involving mechanics liens, deficient workmanship and/or design, project delays, and cost overruns
- Employment disputes involving wage and hour claims, discrimination, retaliation, and enforcement of non-compete clauses
- Business torts involving fraud, negligent misrepresentation, interference with advantageous or contractual business relationships, trade disparagement, unfair and deceptive business practices, misappropriation of trade secrets, negligent and intentional misrepresentation
Often commercial litigation arises on an emergency basis, with one side or the other seeking a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction. In such a case the court is asked to enter preliminary relief at the outset based on materials and arguments presented on short notice and in expedited hearings. We specialize in emergency business litigation having handled more than 50 matters involving injunctions and temporary restraining orders.
We have assisted many clients in obtaining full compensation for the tortious conduct or contractual breaches they have encountered in business. We have also come to the defense of honest businesses targeted by unscrupulous competitors. Whether trying the case to a jury or procuring interim relief from a judge, we have the experience and knowledge required to successfully handle your business litigation.
Edward C. Cooley is a trial attorney with over thirty years of experience trying both bench and jury cases. Throughout his career, Mr. Cooley has focused his practice on business litigation, construction disputes, insurance defense, professional liability defense, and employment litigation. Mr. Cooley has tried, mediated, and arbitrated cases covering a wide range of issues including breach of fiduciary duties in partnerships and closely held corporations, performance and breach of contract, statutory construction of pension rights, enforceability of non-competition covenants, copyright infringement, age discrimination, mechanics liens, construction defects, unfair and deceptive acts and practices, fraudulent transfers, wrongful death, complex contract interpretation and other contractual and business matters. Mr. Cooley specializes in emergency business litigation and has prosecuted or defended more than 50 requests for injunction. He has briefed and argued appeals to the Massachusetts Appellate Division, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
Since 1995, Mr. Cooley has maintained an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell National Law Directory, the highest rating available for legal ability and ethical standards. Since 2006, Boston Magazine surveys of 35,000 Massachusetts Bar Members have rated Mr. Cooley as a Massachusetts Super Lawyer. He has also been selected by his peers for inclusion in the publication “Best Lawyers in America” since 2016 in the category of commercial litigation.
Education
Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts
J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence – 1987
University of Massachusetts at Amherst
B.S., Bachelor of Science – 1984
Bar Admissions
Massachusetts, 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals 1st Circuit, 1988
U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 1988
Professional Associations and Memberships
Classes/Seminars
Lecturer, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Introduction to Effective Deposition Strategies and Techniques
Honors and Awards
Abigail Hogan
Abigail Hogan is a litigation associate with a particular focus on state and federal environmental litigation and commercial litigation. Ms. Hogan is admitted to practice in Massachusetts’ state and federal court. Ms. Hogan is a cum laude graduate of Vermont Law School where she served as a Symposium Editor on the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. She recently completed the MCLE Trial Advocacy workshop.
Ms. Hogan also served as a law clerk intern to the Honorable William G. Young at the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. During law school, she interned with Conservation Law Foundation, spearheading the creation of the Rhode Island chapter of the Legal Food Hub. She additionally worked with a solo practitioner in Vermont practicing novel environmental justice issues within the National Environmental Policy Act. Prior to law school, Ms. Hogan graduated from Villanova University with a degree in political science and a minor in Spanish.
Bar Admissions
Massachusetts, 2021
U.S. District Court District of Massachusetts, 2021
Education
Vermont Law School, South Royalton, Vermont
J.D., Juris Doctor – 2020
Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
B.A., Bachelor of Arts, Political Science – 2017
