PARTNERSHIP AND SHAREHOLDER DISPUTES

Business relationships can break down for a variety of reasons.  Partners, shareholders, and other stakeholders may develop differences that can have a significant impact on ongoing operations.  Conflicts over money, decisions over the strategic direction of the company, or even control of the business, among many other issues, can all create internal disputes.  In the case of family-owned businesses, heightened emotions can complicate matters.  Resolving such disputes require a unique blend of corporate law knowledge, litigation experience, and an in-depth knowledge of the client’s needs and objectives.  We have extensive experience handling and resolving disputes involving companies, directors, partners, trustees, and shareholders, from the outset of adversarial developments regarding the governance of the company through litigation, including derivative actions.

 
We have successfully resolved a broad range partnership and shareholder disputes including:

 

- Accounting method disputes

 

- Breach of fiduciary duty claims

 

- Breach of the duty of loyalty claims

 

- Conflicts over assets and liabilities in business dissolutions

 

- Fraud or self-dealing

 

- Freeze-outs of partners, shareholders, and other stakeholders

 

- Misappropriation of trade secrets, including improper acquisition, use or disclosure claims

 

- Non-competition issues

 

- Successor liability claims

 

- Tortious interference claims

 

- Unfair competition claims

 

Success in these disputes depends on rigorous legal analysis, vigorous advocacy, and creative formulation of potential resolutions.  Every business and every fiduciary is different, and we work with our clients to devise a legal strategy that is appropriate under their unique circumstances.  Whether that strategy involves negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or litigation, we are prepared to aggressively represent our clients’ interests in resolving these disputes as expeditiously and cost-effectively as possible.