David C. Roberts, a Member with Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to present a seminar for all business owners that will answer many of the questions, both known and unknown, a shareholder would have, such as:

• What, exactly, is “shareholder oppression?”

When two people start a company, neither wants to give control to the other, so ownership is usually split 50/50.   This sounds like a great idea at the outset, when everyone is on the same page, and there is usually no other practical way to proceed.  » Read More

When you find yourself involved in a minority shareholder dispute, whether you are the Company (majority), or the minority owners, the role of the company accountant is often somewhat unclear.  The more experience your company accountant has with dealing with differing shareholder factions, the better. » Read More

Company founders often wrestle with how to bring their children into the company fold.  A shareholder may want his children to become owners, but not all owners should necessarily work in the business.  If a first generation owner has more than one child who wants to work in the family business, there are often challenges to overcome.  » Read More

Shareholder dispute litigation, especially among family members, is often about much more than the controversy actually at stake in the litigation.  There are often underlying psychological underpinnings for what has led to the lawsuit.

For example, in a recent case, the majority shareholder suddenly cut off his brother, a one-third owner, from all financial information.  » Read More

One of the most difficult things for a family owned business to do is transition to the next generation.  And the more divided ownership becomes, with more members of the successor generation, the harder this is to accomplish.

The first generation is often comprised of Dad, and Dad alone.  » Read More

Is the Next Generation Ready to Take Over Your Business?

Having your child work in the family business that you helped grow from the ground up may be the thing you are most proud of, possibly in your entire life.  Knowing your business will not die with you can be a truly liberating feeling.  » Read More

Protecting the Second Generation from Oppressed Shareholder Claims

In my last post, I addressed how you and your business partner, as equal 50% shareholders, can protect yourselves from claims brought by the next generation once you begin to turn over the company reins.  » Read More

Surviving in business is difficult with a business partner, especially when you are both 50% shareholders, with neither of you in total control.  Cooperation and trust are critical, and the relationship could have fallen apart at so many different times over the years.  » Read More