Business Disputes

CWM attorneys are adept at high stakes business cases.  We recognize that disputes can jeopardize a client’s profitability and reputation – sometimes permanently – so we work quickly with our clients to achieve successful outcomes, whether through negotiation, litigation, arbitration, mediation, or other means. We are not afraid to take cases to trial in the best interest of our clients.

Our attorneys have substantial state and federal court experience, particularly in the Norfolk Division of the Eastern District of Virginia, and include a number of former judicial law clerks. We also serve as co-counsel or local counsel in the Eastern District of Virginia, including for patent and other intellectual property cases.

Our work includes complex contract cases, technology disputes, business conspiracy cases, business interference claims, commercial litigation, injunctions, attachments, property disputes, shareholder disputes, corporate dissolutions, license disputes, confidentiality claims, non-compete claims, and a host of other matters. We represent Fortune 500 companies, government entities, established firms, individuals, and startup companies.

  • Breach of Contract Claims
  • Business Conspiracy Claims
  • Business Dissolution
  • Business Torts
  • Commercial Lease Disputes
  • Injunctions and Attachments
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Intellectual Property Cases
  • License Disputes
  • Non-Compete Agreements
  • Patent Cases
  • Real Estate Disputes
  • Shareholder Disputes
  • Specific Performance
  • Temporary Restraining Orders
  • Trademark Cases
Representative Cases

CASE RESULTS DEPEND ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE.  THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT SIMILAR RESULTS IN FUTURE CASES.

Jury awards nearly $800,000 to CWM client

On February 19, 2014, a jury awarded nearly $800,000 to a client of CWM after a six-day trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. CWM attorney Jim Chapman represented MidAtlantic International against AGC Flat Glass in this commercial dispute. AGC had refused to make payment under the terms of a “take-or-pay” clause in their contract. AGC filed a counterclaim for approximately $900,000, claiming that the goods were defective. The Court dismissed AGC’s counterclaim at trial. The jury returned a verdict in favor of MidAtlantic for $797,360.08, the full amount owed under the contract.

CWM wins $537,000 judgment under successor liability theory

August 2013 – CWM attorneys Ryan Snow and David Hartnett won a $537,000 judgment after trial in Chesterfield Circuit Court against two companies in a case of successor liability. The defendant companies had acquired the assets of a construction company against which CWM already obtained judgment. Mr. Snow and Mr. Hartnett successfully proved that the purpose of the transactions was to hide the assets of the former company, making it judgment-proof, and continue the business under new names. The Court found the new companies a “mere continuation” of the old one and pierced corporate formalities to hold them liable for the debt.

Jury awards patent victory to I/P ENGINE in case against GOOGLE and others

November 2012 – A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled in favor of I/P Engine in a patent infringement case against AOL, Google, IAC Search & Media, Gannett Company and Target Corporation. CWM attorneys Donald Schultz and Ryan Snow represented I/P Engine as co-counsel, teamed with lead attorneys from Dickstein Shapiro, LLP. The case related to infringement of two patents for relevance-filtering technology used in internet search engines to present higher quality advertisements. After a 12-day trial, the jury found the asserted claims both valid and infringed, and set a “running royalty” of 3.5 percent on future advertising revenues. The jury awarded I/P Engine damages from September 15, 2011 of $30,496,155 against all defendants.

Success attrial protects secured lien from avoidance in bankruptcy

April 2012 – CWM attorneys successfully prevented a plaintiff’s effort to strip a secured creditor’s lien from a property in bankruptcy. CWM represented the defendant in the adversary proceeding. The plaintiff filed suit to avoid the lien as being unsupported by equity, but at trial the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia disagreed after considering competing appraisals and expert witness testimony.

CWM wins in Virginia Supreme Court in constructive trust case

March 2012 – CWM attorneys succeeded in the Virginia Supreme Court in a business case arising out of a roof repair project. The case involved funds paid to an agent that were seized by the agent’s secured creditor before delivery to a contractor and architect. CWM represented the plaintiff who paid the funds and sued to recoup them under trust principles. The trial court granted judgment for plaintiff. On appeal, the Virginia Supreme Court affirmed in all respects, for the first time recognizing by name the “lowest intermediate balance rule” for tracing funds in a commingled account. The case is reported at St. Joe Co. v. Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Auth., 283 Va. 403, 722 S.E.2d 622 (2012).

Representative Clients

Business Owners and Managers

Technology Companies

Commercial Landlords and Tenants

Construction Companies

Developers

Banks, Lenders, and Financial Institutions

Government Entities

Government Contractors

Intellectual Property Owners

News and Updates
Corporate Transparency Act
Posted on February 12, 2024
The new federal Corporate Transparency Act became effective January 1, 2024.  The act requires certain companies in the United States to disclose information regarding its beneficial owners to the US…...
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Final rule under Fair Labor Standards Act on Employee/Independent Contractor Classification Takes Effect
Posted on February 6, 2024
On March 11, 2024, the US Department of Labor’s final rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) on employee/independent contractor classification takes effect.  The new final rule, published on…...
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Virginia Business Announces 24th Edition “Legal Elite”
Posted on December 5, 2023
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Securities and Exchange Commission Final Rule on Cybersecurity
Posted on October 18, 2023
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently published a final rule, effective September 5, 2023, applicable to publicly traded companies on Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure.[1]  The…...
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Virginia Business Announces 23rd Edition “Legal Elite”
Posted on December 1, 2022
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Virginia Business Announces 22nd Anniversary “Legal Elite”
Posted on December 7, 2021
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Eight Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. Attorneys Named to 2022 Best Lawyers® in America List
Posted on August 19, 2021
Norfolk, VA, — Crenshaw, Ware & Martin P.L.C. is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers has recognized four of the Firm’s attorneys as “Best Lawyers in America”, two as “Lawyer of…...
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Darius Davenport Discusses Avoiding Mistakes in Small Business | Monday, March 29th
Posted on March 25, 2021
CWM partner Darius Davenport joins the Black BRAND, Hampton Roads Black Chamber's Coffee Connect to discuss avoiding business mistakes for small businesses. Register here to tune in on Monday, March…...
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Virginia Business Announces 21st Anniversary “Legal Elite”
Posted on December 30, 2020
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Crenshaw, Ware & Martin Promotes Grandy to Partner
Posted on December 28, 2020
Norfolk, VA – Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce it has elected C. Wiley Grandy as a new partner. Mr. Grandy focuses his practice on complex business litigation,…...
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Video Conferencing Best Practices
Posted on April 24, 2020
Video Conferencing Best PracticesDownload With many employees transitioning from the office to teleworking from home, video conferencing has surged in popularity and demand. Wherever your work takes you, consider these best…...
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Paid Family and Sick Leave: How it Works in the Era of Coronavirus
Posted on March 28, 2020
Paid Family and Sick Leave: How it Works in the Era of CoronavirusDownload Like your business, our law firm is dealing with a rapidly changing workplace environment as COVID-19 continues to…...
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Teleworking Data Security Tips
Posted on March 16, 2020
Teleworking Data Security TipsDownload Teleworking data-security is essential to protecting company data when employees are working at remote locations.  Consider these simple tips to encourage your company and employees to maintain…...
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CWM Attorneys Recognized by Virginia Super Lawyers®
Posted on April 17, 2017
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that nine of its lawyers have been selected for inclusion in the 2017 list of Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars. …...
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EDVA Judge dismisses case against parent company after finding parent was not “Alter Ego” of Virginia subsidiary
Posted on January 28, 2016
Piercing corporate structures remains tough in Virginia, even if only to show jurisdiction. In a discrimination case brought by an employee of a Virginia-based subsidiary against his employer, its controlling…...
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Virginia Federal court allows jury in trademark case even where demand came 5 months too late
Posted on January 28, 2016
In a Lanham Act case involving pharmaceutical products, Judge Conrad of the Western District of Virginia granted plaintiff’s motion for a jury trial, even though it was made only four…...
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Disappointed that PTAB declined inter partes patent review? Tough, EDVA Judge rules
Posted on January 28, 2016
The Patent and Trademark Board’s decision on whether to grant inter partes review cannot be challenged in court. In Medtronic, Inc. v. Lee, 1:15-cv-946 (E.D. Va. Jan. 21, 2016), after…...
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Court Orders Arbitration of Patent License Dispute
Posted on December 17, 2015
Virginia federal courts still err in favor of arbitration in business cases, even where parties take measures to avoid it. In University of Virginia Patent Foundation v. DynaVox, where…...
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Jury Awards Nearly $800,000 to CWM Client
Posted on February 19, 2014
A jury awarded nearly $800,000 to a client of CWM after a six-day trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.  James Chapman represented MidAtlantic International against…...
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CWM wins $537,000 judgment under successor liability theory
Posted on August 1, 2013
CWM attorneys Ryan Snow and David Hartnett won a $537,000 judgment after trial in Chesterfield Circuit Court against two companies in a case of successor liability.  The defendant companies had…...
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CWM announces eight lawyers selected for inclusion in 2013 Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars
Posted on May 1, 2013
Crenshaw, Ware & Martin, P.L.C. is pleased to announce that eight of its lawyers were selected for inclusion in the 2013 Virginia Super Lawyers® and Rising Stars lists appearing in…...
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Jury awards patent victory to I/P Engine in case against Google and others
Posted on November 1, 2012
A jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia ruled in favor of I/P Engine in a patent infringement case against AOL, Google, IAC Search &…...
Read More
CWM wins in Virginia Supreme Court in constructive trust case
Posted on March 1, 2012
CWM attorneys Ryan Snow and Amy McClure succeeded in the Virginia Supreme Court in a business case arising out of a roof repair project.  The case involved funds paid to…...
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