Heyman Law Firm
A Baltimore business firm focused on commercial contracts, drafting and negotiation, and business disputes for companies and individuals.
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Commercial ContractsBusiness Disputes
Updated June 2, 2026
Whether you need a contract drafted right the first time or someone broke a deal and you want it enforced, a Baltimore contract lawyer works under Maryland law. The state gives you three years to sue on most written contracts, twelve years if the contract is under seal, and your case goes to either the District Court or the Circuit Court for Baltimore City depending on how much is at stake. Below are vetted Baltimore firms, plus what these cases really cost.
A contract lawyer helps on two fronts: getting an agreement right before you sign it, and enforcing or defending one after something goes wrong. In Baltimore that covers business contracts, commercial leases, vendor and supplier agreements, employment and non-compete terms, and partnership disputes. The two facts that decide most contract claims are whether your agreement is enforceable and whether you are still inside Maryland's filing deadline.
You generally have three years from the date of the breach to file a contract lawsuit in Maryland, under Section 5-101 of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article. There is a major exception: a contract executed under seal carries a twelve-year deadline under Section 5-102. Miss the deadline and a court will usually dismiss the case no matter how strong it is, which is why a quick read by a Baltimore contract lawyer early on is worth the fee.
Where you file depends on the dollar amount. The District Court of Maryland handles contract claims up to $30,000, with a small-claims track for disputes of $5,000 or less that moves faster and with fewer formalities. Claims above $30,000 go to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, where formal discovery, depositions, and a possible jury trial come into play. Business-to-business disputes of any real size usually end up in Circuit Court.
Most contract work never sees a courtroom. Having a lawyer draft or review an agreement before you sign is far cheaper than litigating a bad one later. A clear contract spells out who does what, when payment is due, what happens if someone walks away, and how disputes get resolved. If a deal has already fallen apart, the lawyer's job shifts to proving breach, calculating damages, and either negotiating a settlement or filing suit.
Baltimore contract lawyers price drafting and review work as flat fees so you know the cost upfront, while disputes and litigation are billed hourly, commonly $250 to $500 an hour. A straightforward business contract drafted from scratch often runs $500 to $2,500; a review of an agreement someone hands you runs $300 to $1,000. Litigation is open-ended because it depends on how hard the other side fights, so ask any firm for a written estimate and a sense of the likely range before you commit.
These firms are profiled in full, with practice focus and recognition, in our Top 10 Contract Lawyers in Baltimore guide. Each is a real, independently listed MD firm verified across legal directories.
A Baltimore business firm focused on commercial contracts, drafting and negotiation, and business disputes for companies and individuals.
Handles business contracts, commercial transactions, and contract drafting for Maryland small businesses and entrepreneurs.
A long-established firm covering business contracts, drafting, review, and breach-of-contract litigation.
A larger Baltimore firm offering commercial contracts, outside general counsel services, and M&A support.
Focuses on contract drafting, review, and broader business law for individuals and closely held companies.
Tell us briefly what is going on. We route a confidential request to the best-fit Baltimore firm in this directory.