At Gearhart Law, we understand how much work goes into building strong business relationships. Whether it’s a contract with a client, a handshake deal with a supplier, or an ongoing partnership, your time and energy deserve protection. Unfortunately, outside parties don’t always play fair. If someone intentionally interferes with your business dealings, you may have a legal claim for tortious interference under New Jersey law. We’re here to help you understand your rights—and take action if necessary.
What Is Tortious Interference?
Tortious interference happens when someone intentionally disrupts your business relationship or contract, causing financial harm. There are two types:
- Interference with an existing contract: A third party convinces someone you have a contract with to break it.
- Interference with a prospective economic relationship: A third party disrupts a likely business deal before it’s finalized.
The key is intent. This isn’t about a misunderstanding or poor communication—it’s about someone making a deliberate move to harm your business. For example, if a competitor persuades your supplier to back out of an exclusive agreement, that could give rise to a claim.
What You Need to Prove
New Jersey law doesn’t let every business dispute turn into a lawsuit. To bring a successful tortious interference claim, you’ll need to prove:
- There was a valid contract or economic relationship
- The other party knew about it
- They intentionally interfered
- You suffered financial harm as a result
If the interference involved a potential deal rather than a formal agreement, you’ll need to show there was a strong likelihood the deal would’ve happened, not just a casual idea or hope.
We’ll help you determine whether your situation checks these boxes. That often includes reviewing emails, messages, contracts, or witness accounts that show what really happened.
Common Examples of Tortious Interference
These situations come up more often than you might think. Here are some ways tortious interference can occur:
- A competitor pressures a vendor to cancel a supply contract with you
- Someone spreads false rumors that scare off your clients
- A former employee poaches coworkers or customers in violation of a non-solicitation clause
- A third party inserts themselves into negotiations and gives misleading information
These aren’t just frustrating—they’re legally actionable. If your business has been on the receiving end of any of these, it may be time to take the next step.
How We Can Help You Respond
When you come to us with concerns about interference, we’ll start by listening. We want to understand what happened and how it affected your business. From there, we’ll help you gather evidence and determine the best strategy.
Depending on the situation, that strategy may include:
- Filing a lawsuit for monetary damages
- Requesting a court order to stop the other party’s actions
- Negotiating a resolution outside of court
Tortious interference claims can be time-sensitive, so don’t wait too long to explore your options.
Protecting Your Business Relationships Going Forward
While we’re always ready to act when something goes wrong, we also believe in preventing problems where possible. There are simple steps you can take to protect your business from interference:
- Use clear and thorough contracts that outline expectations and consequences
- Include non-solicitation or non-interference clauses when appropriate
- Document your communications and agreements, even with long-standing partners
We’re happy to review your existing agreements and suggest updates that offer more protection. Prevention often costs far less than litigation down the road.
Contact Our Experienced Summit, NJ Business Litigation Attorney
You don’t have to put up with interference that harms your business. If someone’s actions are affecting your contracts, clients, or reputation, it’s time to get legal guidance. At Gearhart Law, we’ll help you understand your rights and build a plan that works for your goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.