Commercial Litigation

Representing Clients in Complex Disputes

Business disputes are rarely just legal problems. They can disrupt operations, strain business relationships, consume valuable time and resources, and create significant financial uncertainty. Effective representation requires more than knowledge of the law—it requires strategic judgment, practical business sense, and a clear understanding of the client's goals.

T. M. Rutledge Law represents businesses, professionals, insurers, and individuals in commercial disputes throughout Texas. With 18+ years of litigation experience, we assist clients in navigating complex conflicts involving contracts, business relationships, financial obligations, construction projects, and insurance-related matters.

Before founding his own practice, Mr. Rutledge represented clients at several established Texas litigation firms and served as Director and Senior Litigation Management Counsel in the National Prescription Opiate Litigation. That experience informs the firm's litigation management and e-discovery work, supporting other firms in complex, document-intensive litigation.

What We Handle

• Breach of contract disputes
• Business torts
• Fraud and misrepresentation claims
• Partnership and shareholder disputes
• Construction litigation
• Insurance coverage and bad-faith claims
• Financial services litigation
• Commercial collections and creditor matters
• Real estate and property-related disputes

Every engagement begins with a straightforward evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of a claim or defense, the realistic range of outcomes, and the costs and risks associated with pursuing litigation. Clients receive candid advice—not simply what they want to hear, but what they need to know to make informed business decisions.

Some disputes require aggressive litigation. Others are best resolved through negotiation, mediation, or creative business solutions. We work closely with each client to develop a strategy tailored to their specific circumstances and objectives.

Representative Matters

• Represented businesses, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders in complex commercial disputes involving substantial financial interests and multi-party litigation.
• Represented businesses and individuals in commercial disputes involving breach of contract, business torts, financial obligations, and other high-stakes business matters.
• Negotiated favorable settlements of multiple lawsuits involving an international hotel chain arising from contractual disputes and business-related claims.
• Negotiated resolution of a multi-plaintiff lawsuit against a multinational banking corporation involving substantial alleged damages.
• Represented a hospital development company in litigation involving fraud allegations and claims exceeding $100 million in alleged damages.
• Obtained favorable jury verdict of a technology company's breach-of-contract action involving approximately $5 million in claimed damages.
• Represented insurers in complex litigation involving insurance coverage, bad-faith allegations, construction defects, and subrogation claims.
• Obtained summary judgment for an insurance carrier in a bad-faith and negligent misrepresentation action.
• Obtained summary judgment for an insurance carrier in a declaratory judgment action concerning insurance coverage obligations.
• Successfully tried and obtained dismissal of a subrogation action against an insurance carrier.
• Negotiated resolution of a multi-party construction defect dispute for less than ten percent of the original demand.
• Negotiated favorable resolutions of claims involving contract producers, insurance financiers, and financial-services-related entities.
• Obtained summary judgment in a Texas state court matter involving an issue of first impression.
• Mediated and resolved complex business and commercial disputes involving multiple parties and competing interests.

Ready to Discuss Your Case?

Contact us to talk through your matter and get a straightforward assessment.