In this article, our Champaign commercial litigation lawyers explain how motions to dismiss can be used to dispose of unmeritorious business lawsuits. The first step in initiating business litigation is to file a complaint that states facts leading to a cause of action that would entitle the plaintiff to damages. If the defendant can show that the complaint fails to state facts leading to a cause of action or if there is another affirmative matter that would cause the case to be dismissed without a trial, the court will grant the motion to dismiss, potentially terminating the litigation in the early stages.