Business Breakups & Owner Disputes

As a leading law firm for small organizations, startups, and middle-market companies, Dickinson Wright understands the internal challenges these businesses often face. Common issues include dissident shareholders, partners who are not contributing equally, and members who establish competing businesses using proprietary technology. We regularly advise clients in a wide range of situations, from multi-generational family businesses to disputes involving venture capital partners.

Drawing on our experience with middle-market businesses, we help clients implement safeguards designed to reduce internal conflict, including buy-sell agreements, estate planning strategies, and shareholder agreements that anticipate and address disputes before they arise.

When disputes cannot be avoided, our litigation team brings practical experience resolving these matters in state and federal courts, appellate courts, bankruptcy proceedings, probate courts, and arbitration. We also work closely with our tax, estate planning, and corporate attorneys to provide integrated legal solutions.

Business Disputes and Internal Governance

Our lawyers regularly advise middle-market businesses on matters including: