Business Litigation

Adkins, Kelston & Zavez, P.C. provides clients with high quality, personalized, cost-effective litigation service designed to achieve an expeditious and favorable resolution of their disputes.  AKZ’s litigation clients include entrepreneurs, small and medium size businesses, real estate developers and real estate investment trusts, manufacturers and not-for-profit organizations.  We represent clients in disputes ranging from relatively small and local matters to large and complex lawsuits and administrative proceedings throughout the United States.   We have successfully litigated hundreds of cases, including trials and appeals.

What We Do

Adkins, Kelston & Zavez, P.C. litigators provide advice, counseling and representation during all stages of a dispute, ranging from the time before a lawsuit is commenced through final appeals.  Our attorneys regularly appear in state and federal courts and in administrative proceedings.  We have extensive experience in every aspect of litigation, including pre-judgment security devices, injunctions, restraining orders and other preliminary relief, discovery, summary judgment and other dispositive motions.  While we are proud of our successful trial and appellate practices, we are equally proud of the lawsuits we have helped our clients avoid. 

Some of our specific practice areas include:

Partnership Matters

AKZ has litigated numerous partnership and related disputes, including freeze-outs, management disputes, employment termination litigation and other matters involving closely held entities in their formation, and others in their termination.  For example, we assist in drafting corporate documents, operating agreements, articles of incorporation, documents related to the formation of a limited liability corporation, and winding-up documents.

Landlord-Tenant Issues

AKZ represents landlords and tenants in commercial and residential tenancy matters.  Our work includes drafting leases, negotiating lease disputes and handling eviction proceedings in the district, housing, and superior courts. 

Construction Law

Drawing on a diverse group of clients, AKZ has a well-recognized practice in construction industry matters representing owners, and large and medium sized contractors.  AKZ provides a full range of services to clients related to construction dispute resolution, with special emphasis on early intervention to contain and manage disputes before they develop into costly arbitration or litigation.  If litigation is unavoidable, AKZ is prepared to prosecute claims and maintain defenses in an aggressive manner.

Contract Disputes

AKZ attorneys have brought or defended against hundreds of different kinds of contract disputes, including over insurance policies, leases, purchase and sale agreements and employment contracts, and non-competition and non-solicitation agreements.

Insurance Coverage Disputes

AKZ has recovered against insurers in coverage disputes, and recently achieved a nearly $5 million jury verdict for one client after a successful trial. 

Non-Profit Organizations

AKZ attorneys have a long history and association with various non-profit organizations working to advance the public interest, including the Center for Insurance Research, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, which Attorney Jason Adkins founded and ran in the 1990s, and to which AKZ served as counsel. 

Defamation, Slander and Libel and Anti-SLAPP Suits

AKZ has defended clients against allegations of defamation, and brought anti-SLAPP litigation to protect lawful petitioning activities. 

Property Owners or Abutter Issues

AKZ has successfully prosecuted trespass and environmental tort claims on behalf of property owners, successfully challenged unlawful and improper actions by property abutters, and represented abutters in challenges to improper developments. 

Environmental Matters

AKZ attorneys have represented victims of environmental pollution to obtain compensation, and residents abutting environmentally damaging developments in court and before the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. 

Beneficiary Disputes

AKZ has represented parties in disputes over wills and trusts. 

Academic Disciplinary Issues

AKZ has represented numerous graduate school, college and high school students in disciplinary hearings, adjudications and subsequent litigation concerning allegations of academic and other improprieties. 

Realtor Disputes

AKZ has litigated and adjudicated disputes between realtors, including claims of ethics violations.