NYC Partnership & Shareholder Disputes Lawyer

Types of Partnership & Shareholder Disputes We Handle

Common Internal Business Conflicts

We handle a wide range of disputes between owners, members, and shareholders, including:

1. Profit Distribution & Compensation Disputes: Conflicts over salaries, bonuses, distributions, and how profits or losses are allocated among partners or shareholders.
   
   
2. Management & Control Disputes: Disagreements about who makes key decisions, how authority is divided, and whether certain actions require unanimous or majority approval.
   
   
3. Breach of Fiduciary Duty: Claims that an owner, manager, or officer put personal interests ahead of the company’s or other owners’, engaged in self-dealing, diverted opportunities, or misused company assets.
   
   
4. Minority Shareholder Oppression: Situations where majority owners squeeze out, freeze out, or otherwise treat minority shareholders unfairly through dilution, withholding information, or cutting them off from profits or decision-making.
   
   
5. Partnership Breakups & Business Divorces: When partners or members can no longer work together, we handle negotiations and litigation involving buyouts, valuations, and wind-downs.
   
   
6. Disputes Over Buy-Sell Agreements & Exit Terms: Conflicts about how and when an owner can exit the business, what they are owed, and how valuation should be calculated under the governing documents.
   

Our Approach to Partnership & Shareholder Disputes

Balancing Legal Rights and Business Realities

Internal disputes are different from arm’s-length contract matters. They affect relationships, culture, and the core of the company. Our approach generally includes:

1. Governing Documents Review: We closely examine partnership agreements, operating agreements, shareholder agreements, bylaws, and key amendments to understand each party’s rights, obligations, and exit options.
   
   
2. Fact and Financial Analysis: We review financials, distributions, compensation history, board or member minutes, and internal communications to identify patterns and potential breaches.
   
   
3. Strategic Options Assessment: We discuss a range of paths—negotiated buyouts, restructuring, mediation, or litigation—and help you understand the pros, cons, and likely timelines for each.
   
   
4. Negotiation & Alternative Dispute Resolution: Where possible, we leverage negotiation or mediation to resolve disputes in a way that protects value and limits public conflict.
   
   
5. Litigation & Business Divorce: When necessary, we pursue or defend lawsuits involving breach of fiduciary duty, dissolution, or enforcement of buy-sell rights, while working to safeguard your individual and business interests.



Why Choose Our Firm for Owner Disputes

Why Owners Work with Our Partnership Dispute Lawyer

1. Trial-Ready, But Resolution-Focused: We prepare as though litigation may be needed, but we also recognize that many partnership disputes are best resolved through negotiated solutions that protect business value.
   
   
2. Understanding of Business Dynamics: We appreciate the human side of internal conflicts—family relationships, long histories, and the impact on employees and customers—while still providing clear, objective advice.
   
   
3. Experience with High-Stakes Disputes: Partnership and shareholder conflicts often involve control of key assets or businesses. We bring commercial litigation experience and a steady approach to high-stakes negotiations and court proceedings.
   
   
4. Straightforward, Confidential Guidance: These disputes are sensitive. We provide practical, confidential advice so you can weigh your options without unnecessary internal turmoil.
   
   
5. Support for Minority and Majority Owners: We represent both minority owners seeking fair treatment and majority owners navigating complex governance and fiduciary obligations.