Nick Penzenstadler

USA TODAY

Nailing down the number of legal battles involving Donald Trump and his businesses is a moving target, and the USA TODAY Network's ongoing review of his empire's litigation continues surfacing new cases.

In early June, the analysis had found at least 3,500 cases — a figure that has now surpassed 4,000 — and today we're releasing a new interactive tool that lets you explore more than three decades of court actions by and against Trump and his companies.

Trump uses the lawsuits to negotiate throughout his business relationships. He turns to litigation to distance himself from failing projects that relied on the Trump brand. And he uses the legal system to haggle over his property bills and contracts with vendors.

USA TODAY Network journalists continue to scour local, state and federal courts for lawsuits or other legal filings involving the candidate and each of his 500-plus companies he identified on his personal financial disclosure with the Federal Election Commission.

Journalists built a database of cases that appeared to involved Trump or one of his connected businesses and have spent months reviewing individual dockets or case files to learn more about the circumstances around each case and, where possible, the outcome.

Trump’s business empire is extensive, complex and ongoing. It includes companies that he owns and other involvements that are arms-reach arrangements in which he licenses his name or brand to other companies’ building or products.

The new interactive tool analyses outcomes, filing dates and categories of the legal actions. Generally, Trump’s suits fall into these categories: branding, politics, casinos, contract disputes, employment, his golf courses, government and taxes, media and defamation, personal injury and real estate.

Journalists continue to track new legal battles, since at least 70 new cases have been filed since Trump announced his candidacy a year ago — adding to ongoing prominent disputes like the class action suits over Trump University.

More coverage of Trump lawsuits:

Exclusive: Trump's 3,500 lawsuits unprecedented for a presidential nominee

How USA TODAY NETWORK is tracking Trump court files

Trump and the Law