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Someone stole your brand. A partner disappeared with your money. A contract wasn't honored. A vendor didn't deliver. Whatever happened — you're here because the situation is serious and you need a legal strategy, not a lecture. We move with urgency, represent your interests aggressively, and resolve disputes before they become six-figure litigation.
If you've received a demand letter, a cease and desist, or a legal threat — don't respond without counsel. The first response sets the tone for everything that follows. Book a Strategy Session before you reply to anything.
Most disputes don't need a courtroom. They need the right strategy.
Litigation is expensive, slow, and unpredictable. The average business dispute that goes to trial costs $40,000–$100,000 in attorney fees before a verdict is ever reached — and most of that cost is incurred before the trial even begins.
Pre-litigation strategy is the work that happens before anyone files a complaint. It's the demand letter that makes the other party realize you're serious. It's the negotiation that gets you to a settlement without discovery, depositions, or a judge. It's the leverage you build before the situation escalates beyond what either party wants to pay for.
At Stokes Law Group, we represent founders in disputes — trademark infringement, contract breaches, and business partner conflicts — with a clear goal: resolve it fast, protect your interests, and keep your money out of a courthouse.
"The question isn't whether you have a case. The question is whether you have a strategy — and what it costs you to wait."— Stokes Law Group
Three disputes. One firm. One strategy session.
Whatever the situation — if your business interests are threatened, we have a path forward. Here are the three most common dispute scenarios we handle.
Trademark & Brand Infringement
Someone is using your brand name, logo, or creative assets without your permission. Maybe they registered a similar mark. Maybe they're selling knockoffs. Maybe they filed on your brand before you did. Whatever happened — your brand has value and we fight to protect it.
- Copycat brands using your name or logo
- Counterfeit products being sold online
- Someone filed a trademark on your brand
- Unauthorized use of your copyrighted content
- Domain squatting on your brand name
Contract Disputes & Breaches
Someone didn't honor their end of the agreement. A vendor didn't deliver. A client isn't paying. A partner violated the terms you both agreed to. The contract exists — but enforcing it requires legal strategy, not just frustration.
- Non-payment by a client or partner
- Vendor or contractor didn't deliver
- Service agreement violated by either party
- Non-compete or NDA breach
- Licensing agreement dispute
Business Partner Disputes
Partnership disputes are among the most emotionally and financially damaging conflicts a founder faces. When a business relationship breaks down — over money, direction, or trust — the legal structure of your business determines what options you have and how quickly you can resolve it.
- Partner taking business assets or clients
- Disagreement over equity or profit distribution
- Partner violating the operating agreement
- Forced buyout situation
- Business dissolution conflict
The Pre-Litigation Resolution Package™
Comprehensive pre-litigation representation designed to resolve your dispute before it becomes a lawsuit — protecting your time, your money, and your business.
"This isn't just a letter. This is a legal strategy designed to make the other side understand you mean business."
The Pre-Litigation Resolution Package™ is our comprehensive dispute engagement — designed to resolve your situation through strategic legal pressure, negotiation, and documentation before anyone files a complaint in court.
We assess your situation, advise on your legal position and leverage, draft the communications that put the other party on notice, and negotiate toward a resolution that protects your interests. We manage the case while continuing to explore settlement opportunities at every stage.
The goal is always the same: resolve it efficiently, protect what you've built, and keep your business moving forward.
- Legal assessment of your dispute and position
- Strategy session — leverage analysis and path forward
- Pre-litigation demand letter (attorney-drafted)
- Opposing party communication and negotiation
- Case documentation and evidence review
- Settlement negotiation representation
- Real-time matter tracking through client portal
Sometimes all it takes is the right letter.
A pre-litigation demand letter from an attorney is often the most efficient tool in a dispute. It puts the other party on formal legal notice, signals that you are represented and serious, establishes a documented record of the dispute, and frequently resolves the issue — without any further action required.
Our demand letters are not templates. They are strategically drafted to match the specific facts of your situation, the applicable legal standard, and the outcome you are seeking. The letter that arrives on the other party's desk should make them pick up the phone and call their own attorney.
For clients who need to move fast — a demand letter is the fastest path from dispute to resolution.
Pre-Litigation Demand Letter
A strategically drafted demand letter that puts the other party on formal legal notice, documents the dispute, and signals that you are represented and prepared to escalate. The fastest path from problem to resolution.
- Attorney-drafted demand letter specific to your dispute
- Legal basis and demand clearly articulated
- Response deadline established
- Escalation consequences clearly stated
- Delivered within 5 business days of intake
- Fee credited toward Pre-Litigation Resolution Package™ if retained
Trademark Enforcement — when someone takes what's yours.
If someone is infringing on your registered trademark, you have legal rights — and a timeline for enforcing them. We manage trademark enforcement across four phases, from initial demand through TTAB litigation.
Cease & Desist / Demand Letter
Attorney-drafted demand to the infringing party. Establishes the legal record and demands immediate cessation of infringing use.
Negotiation & Settlement
Representation through negotiation with the infringing party — seeking a settlement, licensing agreement, or complete cessation of infringing activity.
TTAB Opposition
If the infringing party has filed a trademark application, we file an opposition with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to block their registration.
TTAB Litigation
Full TTAB trial proceedings if the opposition is contested — the highest level of administrative trademark enforcement before federal court.
How we show up when things get serious.
Pre-litigation is where our clients need us most. Here's what working with SLG looks like when the stakes are high.
We move with urgency.
Disputes have timelines — evidence disappears, statutes of limitations run, and the other party acts while you wait. We respond quickly, assess your situation thoroughly, and move with the urgency your case requires.
We tell you the truth about your position.
Not every dispute has a clear winner. We give you an honest assessment of your legal position, your leverage, and your realistic options — so you can make informed decisions, not emotionally-driven ones.
We keep resolution as the goal.
Litigation benefits attorneys more than clients. Our goal is always to resolve your dispute as efficiently as possible — protecting your interests without unnecessarily escalating costs or timelines.
We keep you informed at every stage.
Real-time matter tracking through your client portal means you always know exactly where your case stands. No black boxes. No wondering what's happening. Just clear, consistent communication when it matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a demand letter and the Pre-Litigation Resolution Package™?
A demand letter ($2,000) is a single strategic document that puts the other party on formal legal notice and demands a specific response. The Pre-Litigation Resolution Package™ (starting at $4,500) is a full engagement — legal assessment, demand letter, negotiation, case management, and settlement representation. Many clients start with a demand letter and escalate to the full package if the other party doesn't respond appropriately.
I already received a demand letter — what do I do?
Do not respond without counsel. The first response sets the legal tone and evidentiary record for everything that follows. Book a Strategy Session immediately. We'll assess the demand, advise you on your position, and craft a response strategy that protects your interests — whether that's compliance, negotiation, or pushing back entirely.
Do I need a registered trademark to enforce my brand rights?
No — common law trademark rights exist based on use in commerce, even without federal registration. However, registered trademarks provide significantly stronger enforcement tools, broader geographic protection, and the ability to pursue TTAB proceedings and federal court remedies. If your brand isn't registered, the Strategy Session will address registration as part of your overall dispute strategy.
What if the other party doesn't respond to the demand letter?
Non-response is a response — and it tells us something about the other party's strategy. We assess what the non-response means in your specific situation and advise on next steps, which may include escalating to the Pre-Litigation Resolution Package™, TTAB proceedings for trademark matters, or preparing for potential litigation. We never leave you without a clear path forward.
How long does pre-litigation resolution typically take?
It depends significantly on the other party's responsiveness and the complexity of the dispute. Demand letter resolution can happen in 2–4 weeks. Full pre-litigation negotiation and settlement typically takes 30–90 days. TTAB proceedings can take 12–18 months. We'll give you a realistic timeline assessment during your Strategy Session based on the specific facts of your case.
What if my dispute requires going to court?
Pre-litigation strategy is designed to resolve disputes before court — and it succeeds in the majority of cases. If litigation becomes necessary, we'll advise you on your options, refer you to qualified litigation counsel where appropriate, and ensure every document and communication from the pre-litigation phase is properly structured to support your position in court.
Your legacy, wealth, and protection are our priority.
If something is wrong — don't wait. Start with a $500 Strategy Session and walk away with a clear legal strategy, an honest assessment of your position, and a path to resolution. Applied directly to your retainer when you retain the firm within 14 days.
Schedule a Strategy Session $500 · 1 Hour · Zoom · By Appointment · Move Fast