Business Breakups & Owner Disputes

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As a leading law firm for small organizations, start-up business and companies throughout the middle market, Dickinson Wright understands the internal issues that businesses of this size often face. Common challenges include a dissident shareholder, a partner who’s not pulling his/her weight or a member who starts a competing business with proprietary technology. Dickinson Wright is experienced in helping organizations with a wide range of scenarios -- from the multi-generational family business to disputes with new venture capital partners.

Based on our knowledge and insights into middle market businesses, we provide our clients with adequate safeguards against internal dissention. Whether by using buy-sells, estate plans or shareholder agreements, we seek to foresee all potential scenarios and head them off before they happen.

However, if and when issues arise, our litigation team brings an understanding of the sensitive nature of disputes of this type combined with significant experience in bringing about the best possible litigation result. We have successfully represented middle market business clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country, as well as in family court, probate, bankruptcy and arbitration. When necessary, we draw on the resources of related practice areas within Dickinson Wright, from tax to estate planning to corporate, for the benefit of our clients.

Experienced in a Wide Range of Business Issues

Our experienced lawyers regularly help middle market businesses with a wide range of issues, including:

  • Dissolution 
  • Receivership 
  • Bankruptcy 
  • Shareholder/member derivative actions 
  • Minority shareholder/member oppression 
  • Probate disputes 
  • Involuntary removal of officers or directors
  • Compelled shareholder buyout 
  • Shareholder rights in merger transaction 
  • Business valuation disputes 
  • Medical, legal, accounting and professional practice break-ups 
  • Securities litigation 
  • Joint venture formation and dissolution
  • Non-compete agreements 
  • Trade secret litigation
  • Breach of fiduciary duty 
  • Usurpation of corporate opportunity 
  • Distressed asset sales 
  • Proxy battles 
  • Corporate takeovers 
  • Takeover preventative measures

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