Need advice: how to Get Funds Released

I publish illustrative scenarios prepared by my practice. All participants and conversations are fictional. The fictional posts are not posts by real users, accounts of client experiences, or reports of actual results.
Illustrative scenario prepared by my practice.
For informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Hypothetical question

I'm in a difficult situation and trying to figure out my next steps.

Apple Pay dispute with merchant. I've been dealing with this for about 2 weeks now and the situation isn't improving.

The amount being held/disputed is approximately $39,840. I have tried contacting their legal department 9 times with no resolution.

Do I have a strong case? What should my next steps be?

Illustrative response

Just want to point out — the statute of limitations might be a factor here. In some states it's as short as 1-2 years. Don't sit on this too long.