Printed from the Field Fisher Waterhouse web site
Web address: http://www.ffw.com/offices/hamburg/corporate/shareholders-disputes.aspx

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Hamburg

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Shareholders Disputes

Shareholder disputes are among the hardest fought disputes and can be the most difficult to resolve amicably. Such disputes relate to different fields of law and can often only be resolved by obtaining legal advice.

In good economic times problems often do not surface immediately or are taken less seriously. The joint entrepreneurial activity leads to a close bonding of the parties involved. Many of these businesses persist for a long time and are extraordinarily successful.

Sometimes, however, even well-planned businesses can struggle or it may be convenient for the shareholders to blame directors or each other resulting in deadlock and impasse situations on the level of the management or among the shareholders. In such situation we represent your interests.

We have vast experience in a wide range of domestic and international shareholder and boardroom disputes.

In recent years we have acted for companies, directors, majority shareholders, minority shareholders and interested third parties (e.g. banks). Our advice comprises all issues arising in connection with a shareholder dispute.

Our lawyers are commercial, solutions-focused and advise and represent you in every phase of a possible shareholder dispute, including

  • negotiations on the management and/or shareholder level

  • judicial proceedings before regular or arbitration courts

  • actions against shareholders’ decisions (including actions for challenge in stock corporations)

  • immediate legal protection in urgent matters. 

Instead of merely considering an actual or potential conflict situation from a legal point of view, we always strive to quickly and efficiently achieve your individual objectives through pragmatic solutions.

If strategies of de-escalation have little prospect of sustainable success we stand up for your interests with the power of an international law firm and represent you during any court proceedings.

Our experience:

  • Advising on a shareholder dispute relating to a fiduciary shareholding held in an operating company of an amusement arcade

  • Advising a shareholder of a hospital operator in connection with a dismissal of a co-director

  • Advising a financial investor against the management of a software company

  • Advising a shareholder of a consulting firm in a dispute with a co-shareholder

  • Advising a director of an advertising company in obtaining immediate legal protection against a co-director


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