Consumer Law, Warranties Contract Payment Dispute / Course of Action

[maineman]

My wife, myself and our personal holding company (an Illinois LLC) have a consultancy agreement with Australian Company for work done in the USA. The work involved sales and marketing of the Australian Companies US LLC (Delaware) wholly owned by the AU parent of the Australian Company. Now that the business is getting traction they desired to sever the relationship. The traction was due to our long experience in this government market segment and our relationships. In the agreement, the Illinois LLC and the Australian company have agreed that the contract is bound by the laws of AU. My wife and myself were not referenced in this clause. Also the agreement spelled out 3 months severance. They are trying to wiggle out of paying us the severance. The amount is greater than $50,000.

I have some questions,
Could I use a mechanics lean or some other method to redirect payments by US clients owed to the company to us?
If not what course of action can we take?
Would it be prudent for us to take action against the US LLC to seek remedy for lost opportunity, our severance, legal fees, etc?

We are small business people and would appreciate any insight.

Thanks and Regards

 

[Michael Wechsler]

I don't think a mechanic's lien is available to you for the kind of work you performed. Your remedy is against the company with whom you have the agreement, which seems to be the US LLC. Without seeing the contract, it's difficult to comment further.