Chicago, IL commercial litigation attorney Gal Pissetzky shares his advice for clients involved in a contract dispute. He notes that his first advice to any client involved in a contract dispute is not to attempt resolving it independently. One of the most common mistakes clients make is speaking directly with the opposing party and making promises or statements they do not intend to honor. Often, clients do this thinking the dispute will simply disappear, but disputes do not resolve themselves without proper guidance.

If someone claims a breach of contract, attempting to handle it alone can unintentionally harm the client’s case. Even when negotiating agreements—whether purchasing a business, a car dealership, or another asset—it is critical to involve an attorney who can carefully manage the process, ensuring all terms are clear and legally sound.

He emphasizes that statements made to the other side can be binding. For example, if a client indicates agreement to certain terms and there is correspondence or evidence showing their acceptance, the opposing party may act on that representation—writing checks, making arrangements, or moving forward with the transaction. Later attempts to retract or modify those statements can create liability for the client.

Ultimately, he stresses the importance of professional negotiation. Having a lawyer involved ensures that all communications, representations, and agreements are properly managed, reducing the risk of unintended consequences or legal exposure.