Throwing the baby out with the bath water is a pithy expression that suggests exercising caution when business partners in private companies are seeking to achieve a business divorce. The majority owner and the departing...more
3/19/2025
/ Arbitration ,
Asset Purchase Agreements ,
Business Disputes ,
Business Divorce ,
Buyouts ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Exit Planning ,
Exit Strategies ,
Investors ,
Majority Shareholders ,
Minority Equity Investments ,
Minority Shareholders ,
Minority-Owned Businesses ,
Shareholders ,
Valuation
In recent years, the headlines have tracked the news of high-profile breakups among business partners in private companies. These business partner fallouts include:
- 2023: Sam Altman was ousted as Open AI CEO (for...more
1/14/2025
/ Business Disputes ,
Business Divorce ,
Business Entities ,
Business Partners ,
Conflict Resolution ,
Contract Terms ,
Corporate Governance ,
Exit Strategies ,
Fiduciary Duty ,
Investors ,
Partnerships ,
Prenuptial Agreements ,
Shareholders
Conflicts between co-owners in private companies are common, but the vast majority are worked out through dialogue and negotiation. When these internal conflicts cannot be resolved, however, minority investors may file suit...more
Hindsight can be a wonderful thing, especially if hard-earned lessons are adopted by others who are willing to learn from past mistakes. When private company owners and investors share with me some of the wisdom they have...more
As a business trial lawyer representing private company owners and investors in business divorce disputes and civil litigation for many years, my experience teaches that business partners should approach litigation with...more
Private company owners strive for success but getting there is not an easy or straight path. I have been working closely with business owners now for more than 40 years, and I have been reflecting on the key character traits...more
Successful private company owners often share the traits of having vision, passion and a strong sense of purpose. That does not mean that they govern their companies without having any disagreements with their minority...more
Disagreements are common between business partners in private companies, but most do not lead to a partner exit. When partner conflicts become severe enough to warrant a business divorce, however, majority owners and minority...more
3/8/2022
/ Business Disputes ,
Business Divorce ,
Business Ownership ,
Business Partners ,
Buy-Sell Agreements ,
Corporate Counsel ,
Dispute Resolution ,
Majority Shareholders ,
Minority Shareholders ,
Prenuptial Agreements ,
Private Company Shares