New York City Shareholder Disputes
NYC Shareholder Dispute & Breach of Fiduciary Duty Lawyers
When those in control put themselves ahead of the company and its owners, minority shareholders pay the price. We protect shareholder rights and pursue breach of fiduciary duty claims in closely held companies.
- 85+ Years Combined Experience
- Trial-Ready Litigators
- Clear, Responsive Communication
Tell Us About Your Shareholder Dispute
Confidential. No obligation. We respond promptly.
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When You’re Frozen Out
Shareholder Oppression Leaves You Paying for a Company You Can’t Control
You own a real stake — but the majority controls the decisions. Distributions stop. Your salary or role disappears. You’re shut out of the books, the meetings, and the direction of the company you helped build.
Officers, directors, and controlling shareholders owe fiduciary duties, and New York law gives minority owners real protections. But these claims turn on the facts, the corporate documents, and moving before your leverage erodes.
Shareholder & Fiduciary Matters We Handle
Protecting Owners in Closely Held Companies
We represent shareholders and owners in disputes over control, money, information, and the duties those in charge owe to everyone else — in negotiation, in buyouts, and in court.
Shareholder Oppression
Conduct by the majority that defeats the reasonable expectations of a minority owner.
Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Self-dealing, diverted opportunities, and misuse of company assets by those in control.
Minority Shareholder Rights
Protecting minority owners frozen out of management, distributions, or the direction of the company.
Access to Books & Records
Enforcing a shareholder’s right to inspect the company’s books and financial records.
Freeze-Outs & Denied Distributions
Cut-off salaries, withheld distributions, and dilution used to squeeze out a minority owner.
Closely Held & Derivative Claims
Disputes in closely held corporations, including claims brought on the company’s behalf.
How Shareholder Disputes Resolve
More Than One Way Forward
The right path depends on your stake, the corporate documents, and your goals. We assess every matter for the approach that best protects your interest — and stay ready to litigate when the other side won’t engage in good faith.
Negotiation
Direct, informed negotiation that resolves many disputes without a public fight.
Buyout
A buyout of the minority owner’s shares at fair value, ending the dispute.
Dissolution Petition
Where the facts support it, a petition for judicial dissolution of the company.
Litigation
Trial-ready representation, including claims brought on the company’s behalf.
Why Clients Choose Levy Goldenberg
Experienced Counsel, Focused on Practical Results
Many shareholder disputes can and should be resolved through negotiation or a fair-value buyout to avoid the cost of a protracted legal battle. When litigation becomes necessary, our trial-ready lawyers know their way around the courtroom.
Years of combined litigation experience
State & federal courts across the five boroughs
Direct access to the attorneys handling your matter
Top-notch
Top-notch commercial litigators.
Knowledgeable and responsive
Knowledgeable and responsive. I spoke to Adam Levy.
Impressed by his expertise
Mr. Goldenberg handled my case with professionalism and was always available to answer my questions and concerns. Knowing he is your lawyer, you know you're in good hands.
Testimonials reflect the experience of individual clients and do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of your matter. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What Working With Us Looks Like
A Clear Path From First Call to Resolution
Case Review
We review the corporate documents, your ownership stake, and the conduct at issue.
Strategy
We map your rights, your leverage, and the most effective path to protect your interest.
Resolution
We pursue negotiation or a fair-value buyout where it serves you — and litigate when it doesn’t.
Recovery
We work to enforce your rights and pursue the remedies available to you and the company.
Recent Court Decisions
Results From the Courtroom
Supreme Court, Queens County
Court granted petition for leave to serve and file a late notice of claim against the NYC Board of Education.
Civil Court, Kings County
Court granted the firm's motion directing a Brooklyn landlord to pay the tenant's attorneys' fees.
Supreme Court, Kings County
Motion to deny a temporary receiver's request for the majority of fees, construction costs, and disbursements granted.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every matter is different, and the outcome of any case depends on its specific facts and circumstances.
Serving the Greater New York City Area
A Shareholder Dispute Attorney Near You
Our office sits in Midtown Manhattan, and we handle shareholder and fiduciary disputes throughout New York City — in state and federal court, and in mediation and arbitration.
- Manhattan
- Brooklyn
- Queens
- The Bronx
- Staten Island
- Surrounding NY courts
Common Questions
Shareholder & Fiduciary FAQs
What is shareholder oppression?
Shareholder oppression is conduct by those in control of a closely held corporation that defeats the reasonable expectations of a minority shareholder — such as freezing them out of management, cutting off distributions, or terminating their employment — done in a way that is oppressive. New York law provides remedies in appropriate cases.
What rights do minority shareholders have in New York?
Depending on the circumstances, minority shareholders may have the right to inspect certain books and records, to be free from oppressive or fraudulent conduct, and to fair treatment consistent with their reasonable expectations. Under New York’s Business Corporation Law, holders of at least 20% of the shares of a corporation with no public market for its stock may, in appropriate circumstances, petition for judicial dissolution based on oppressive, illegal, or fraudulent conduct by those in control. Because thresholds and remedies depend on the facts, it’s worth reviewing your situation with an attorney.
What is a breach of fiduciary duty?
Officers, directors, and controlling shareholders generally owe duties of loyalty and care to the company and, in closely held companies, often to the other owners. A breach occurs when someone in that position puts their own interests ahead of those duties — through self-dealing, diverting business opportunities, or misusing company assets, for example.
Can I force a buyout or dissolution as a minority shareholder?
In appropriate cases, a qualifying minority shareholder may petition for dissolution, and the corporation or the other shareholders may then elect to purchase the petitioner’s shares at fair value instead. Whether this path is available, and what your shares are worth, depends on the specific facts and your ownership stake. An attorney can help you assess your options.
How much does a shareholder dispute lawyer cost?
Fees depend on the nature and complexity of the dispute. We’ll discuss fee structure directly with you so you understand the arrangement before moving forward. Contact our office to talk through your situation and the costs involved.
Contact Our Office Today
Protect Your Stake — and Your Rights
Shareholder oppression and fiduciary breaches get worse the longer they go unchallenged. The sooner you act, the more options you tend to have. Tell us what happened, and we’ll help you understand your next step.
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