Business & Commercial Litigation
Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.Abraham Lincoln
When resolution fails, the firm is ready to try the case — in state and federal courts across Louisiana and Mississippi.
Disputes are won on the record.
Business Litigation
A litigator who would rather win than file.
Good litigation counsel resolves what can be resolved and tries what must be tried. Most commercial disputes should settle — on terms driven by thorough preparation and a credible willingness to go to trial. Aertker Legal brings exactly that posture: every case built as if it will be tried, which is precisely what produces favorable resolutions.
Stephen “Curt” Aertker, Jr. has over two decades of courtroom experience on both sides of the docket — representing plaintiffs and defendants, businesses and individuals — in the state courts of Louisiana and Mississippi, the federal district courts of both states, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
His transactional practice is an advantage in the courtroom: he knows how the agreements at issue were meant to work, and where they were built to fail. When the dispute is over a contract, an entity, or a deal, that fluency matters.
And you deal directly with Stephen throughout. No hand-offs. No associates. No file numbers.
Commercial disputes, resolved.
Aertker Legal represents businesses and individuals in commercial disputes throughout St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington Parishes and across Louisiana and Mississippi — in state court, federal court, and on appeal.
Breach of Contract
A contract is only as good as your willingness to enforce it.La. C.C. art. 1906 et seq.
When the other side fails to perform, Louisiana’s law of obligations governs the remedy — specific performance, dissolution, and damages. Aertker Legal prosecutes and defends breach-of-contract claims in state and federal court, from commercial agreements and construction contracts to promissory notes and guaranties.
Because the firm also drafts these agreements, it reads them the way a court will — and builds the case around the provisions that actually control.
Business Torts & Fraud
Some losses are not accidents — they are schemes.La. R.S. 51:1401 et seq.
When a deal goes wrong because of deceit, the remedies reach beyond contract. The firm pursues claims for fraud and misrepresentation under La. C.C. art. 1953, unfair trade practices under the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act (LUTPA, La. R.S. 51:1401 et seq.), detrimental reliance, conversion, and breach of fiduciary duty.
LUTPA carries its own remedies and a short peremptive period; these claims reward prompt, decisive action.
- Fraud and intentional misrepresentation
- Unfair trade practices (LUTPA)
- Breach of fiduciary duty
- Detrimental reliance and conversion
- Tortious interference with contract or business
Partnership, Member & Shareholder Disputes
The hardest fights are between people who used to be partners.None
Disputes among owners can paralyze a business. Aertker Legal represents members, shareholders, and partners in deadlock, oppression, accounting, and dissolution disputes — enforcing operating agreements and buy-sell provisions, and seeking judicial dissolution or withdrawal when the relationship cannot be repaired.
These matters are equal parts litigation and business judgment, and they are handled with both in view.
- Owner deadlock and oppression claims
- Breach of operating or partnership agreements
- Member and shareholder buyouts
- Accountings and distributions
- Judicial dissolution and winding up
Non-Compete Enforcement & Defense
Louisiana enforces these agreements only when they are drawn exactly right.La. R.S. 23:921
Restrictive covenants are void in Louisiana unless they meet the precise requirements of La. R.S. 23:921. That cuts both ways: the firm enforces valid non-competes and non-solicitation agreements for employers, and defends employees and new ventures against covenants that overreach the statute.
These cases often move fast, on motions for injunctive relief, and demand counsel who knows the statute’s narrow exceptions cold.
Collections & Open Accounts
A judgment is not a recovery until it is collected.La. R.S. 9:2781
Aertker Legal represents creditors pursuing unpaid debts — suits on open account under La. R.S. 9:2781 (which allows recovery of attorney’s fees after proper written demand), promissory notes, and guaranties — and carries claims through judgment and post-judgment enforcement: garnishment, seizure, and judicial mortgage.
The firm handles both consumer and commercial collections in compliance with the applicable state and federal requirements.
- Suit on open account (with attorney-fee demand)
- Promissory notes and guaranties
- Default and summary judgment
- Garnishment and wage seizure
- Writs of fieri facias and judicial mortgage
Injunctions & Emergency Relief
Some harms cannot wait for a trial date.None
When a business faces immediate, irreparable harm — a departing employee taking trade secrets, a partner draining accounts, a breach in progress — the courthouse can act within days. Aertker Legal seeks and defends temporary restraining orders, preliminary injunctions, and other emergency relief in Louisiana and federal court.
In a business dispute?
Prepared to settle · Ready to try · State & federal courts
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