Business Dissolution Attorneys Protecting Owners Partners And Assets
When you and your business partners can no longer agree on how to run your company, its future may be at risk. Disputes over control, money or business decisions can put your investment and daily operations in danger. You may need to find a way to resolve the conflict, buy out an owner or close the business. The best path depends on your business structure, agreements and the issues at stake.
At Sullivan Pratt LLP, we represent business owners, shareholders, limited liability company (LLC) members and partners in complex dissolution disputes. We bring decades of litigation experience and a strong knowledge of Northern California courts. You work directly with our lawyers, who build a legal strategy around your needs and business goals. We also handle cases across the country.
Business Dissolution Disputes We Handle
A business dissolution dispute can arise when owners disagree about whether to close the company or allow one of them to leave. A buyout may let an owner exit while the business continues, while dissolution starts the process of ending the business. The owners must then wind up their affairs by addressing their assets, debts and other obligations.
We handle disputes involving:
- Deadlock over how to run the business
- Claims of fraud, oppression or breach of fiduciary duty
- Disputes over ownership, business value or unequal workloads
- Financial trouble or the loss of a key customer
- Conflict over a partner’s or member’s exit
These disputes can involve shareholders, limited liability company (LLC) members, partners, officers and directors. The legal options depend on your business structure and governing agreements. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights, assess the claims involved and determine the best way to protect your business interests.
Resolving Business Dissolution Disputes
Depending on your situation, you may have several options:
- Negotiated buyout: You and the other owners agree on the value and terms of an owner’s exit while the business stays open.
- Voluntary dissolution: The owners agree to close the business and follow the required steps.
- Judicial dissolution: If the owners cannot agree, an eligible party may ask a court to order the business to close.
The right option depends on your goals, whether the owners can reach an agreement and the law that applies.
Voluntary Versus Judicial Dissolution In California
When owners agree to close a business, they may seek voluntary dissolution under California law and their governing documents. When they cannot agree, an eligible owner may ask a court to order dissolution. Common reasons include deadlock, fraud, oppression, misuse of business assets, abandonment or an inability to keep the business running.
We can help you weigh your options, consider a buyout and decide whether court action makes sense. If a lawsuit is needed, our business litigation lawyers can represent you.
When Your Business Is At Stake, Experience Matters
A business dissolution dispute can involve competing claims, significant financial interests and difficult decisions about what happens next. You need counsel who can see the full picture, identify your options and build a strategy for the dispute ahead. At Sullivan Pratt LLP, we bring decades of litigation experience to complex business conflicts.
Call 415-840-8123 or send us an email to discuss your case and how we can help.