Employment and Business Dispute Resolution and Litigation

Protecting Central Indiana Businesses Through Every Stage of a Dispute

DKB LEGAL counsels and represents small, mid-size, and startup businesses in a wide range of employment and business matters, including:

Employment Contracts

Employment contracts are used across many types of roles, with particular emphasis on executive, management, and professional positions. These agreements clearly outline each party's responsibilities and benefits, helping employers and employees avoid misunderstandings and disputes down the road.

DKB LEGAL assists clients with the review, drafting, and negotiation of employment contracts — working to ensure agreements are fair and accurately reflect both parties' intentions. If a dispute arises over an employment contract, DKB LEGAL guides clients through resolution, whether that means informal negotiation or court intervention.

Restrictive Covenants in Employment Contracts

Employment contracts frequently include restrictive covenants designed to protect an employer's interests:

  • Noncompete clauses, which restrict a former employee's ability to engage in competing business activities for a specified time and within a defined geographic area

  • Non-solicitation provisions, which limit a former employee's ability to solicit the employer's customers, suppliers, or employees after employment ends

  • Non-disclosure and confidentiality clauses, which restrict an employee's ability to share or use sensitive business information obtained during employment

DKB LEGAL helps clients evaluate whether noncompete, non-solicitation, or non-disclosure provisions are enforceable under Indiana law, and has extensive experience litigating these agreements when disputes arise.

Severance Agreements

When an employee's tenure ends, employers often offer a severance agreement — a formal document outlining the terms under which a departing employee receives certain benefits. These agreements commonly address payment terms (lump-sum payments, continued salary, or other arrangements), mutual releases of claims, and sometimes post-employment noncompete requirements.

DKB LEGAL works with small, mid-size, and startup businesses to evaluate the need for severance agreements, negotiate and draft them, and enforce them when necessary. We also help individuals understand their rights and obligations under a severance agreement they've been offered.

Workplace Harassment

Workplace harassment extends well beyond sexual harassment — it covers any conduct directed at employees in a protected class (such as gender, age, race, religion, or national origin) that creates a hostile work environment. It can take the form of insults, bullying, inappropriate jokes, offensive images, or unwelcome messages sent by email, text, or social media.

DKB LEGAL represents small, mid-size, and startup businesses in avoiding — and, when necessary, resolving — workplace harassment claims.

Employment Discrimination Laws

Employers are subject to federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination based on characteristics such as gender, race, age, disability, national origin, religion, pregnancy, or sexual orientation. Key federal laws include:

  • The Civil Rights Act — prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

  • The Americans with Disabilities Act — protects individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination

  • The Age Discrimination in Employment Act — protects employees and applicants aged 40 and over from age-based discrimination

  • Additional state and federal laws provide further protections

Discrimination can arise in termination, demotion, compensation, benefits, access to opportunities, or hiring decisions. DKB LEGAL represents small, mid-size, and startup businesses in avoiding — and, when necessary, resolving — employment discrimination claims.

Employee Fiduciary Duties Under Indiana Law

Under Indiana law, employees owe their employer a duty of loyalty during employment, regardless of whether a noncompete agreement exists. This duty prohibits employees from actively competing with their employer while still employed — though Indiana law does allow certain preparations to compete, so long as those preparations stop short of actual competition.

DKB LEGAL counsels small, mid-size, and startup Indiana companies to ensure employees understand and adhere to their fiduciary duties, and assists clients in enforcing those duties when necessary.

Contracts: Protection and Dispute Resolution

Contracts are the backbone of business relationships, clearly defining each party's rights and obligations. DKB LEGAL partners with clients to review and evaluate contracts, identify potential risks, and ensure terms are fair and enforceable — helping clients avoid unexpected liability and build stronger business relationships.

When contract disputes do occur, DKB LEGAL provides comprehensive support through resolution, whether through negotiation or formal court proceedings, always working toward the best outcome for the client.

Business Dispute Resolution

Business disputes extend well beyond contracts. DKB LEGAL has extensive experience representing clients in matters involving fraud, negligence, trade secret misappropriation, unfair competition, business ownership disputes, interference with business and contractual relationships, defamation, insurance coverage and defense, collections, products liability, real estate disputes, and distributorship disputes.

Facing an employment or business dispute? [Contact DKB LEGAL] to discuss your matter.