Shareholder Agreement Attorney in Houston
Protecting Your Business with Strategic Shareholder Agreements
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What Is a Shareholder Agreement?
A shareholder agreement is a legally binding contract among the owners of a corporation. Corporate bylaws cover day-to-day operations, while a shareholder agreement sets out the specific rights, responsibilities, and expectations of the owners.
These agreements:
- Establish ownership percentages and responsibilities.
- Set rules for decision-making and voting.
- Provide clear procedures for buying, selling, or transferring shares.
- Outline what happens in events like death, divorce, disability, or retirement.
- Help prevent costly disputes by resolving issues before they arise.
In short, a shareholder agreement acts as the rulebook for ownership and governance, keeping your business running smoothly no matter what the future holds.
Why Every Houston Business Needs One
Without a shareholder agreement, Texas corporate law will apply default rules which may not reflect the needs of your business. A custom shareholder agreement gives you control over:
- Ownership & Control: Clarifies majority vs. minority rights.
- Dispute Prevention: Establishes mechanisms for handling disagreements.
- Continuity & Stability: Provides succession planning and exit strategies.
- Investor Confidence: Many investors require a shareholder agreement before committing funds.
If you are starting, restructuring, or seeking investment, a shareholder agreement is one of the most effective preventative steps for your business.
Key Provisions in a Shareholder Agreement
Ownership & Capital Contributions
Defines who owns what, the value of shares, and terms for issuing new stock.
Voting Rights & Decision-Making
Clarifies how major decisions are made, including when unanimous consent or supermajority approval is required.
Transfer of Shares
Includes buy-sell clauses, rights of first refusal, and restrictions to prevent unwanted third-party ownership.
Exit & Succession Planning
Addresses triggering events like retirement, death, or divorce, and provides valuation methods for share buyouts.
Dividend & Profit Distribution Policies
Sets expectations for when and how profits will be distributed among shareholders.
Non-Compete & Confidentiality Clauses
Protects the business if a shareholder leaves and prevents the misuse of sensitive company information.
Dispute Resolution
Outlines procedures such as mediation or arbitration to reduce the risk of litigation.
About B&T Attorneys
The Benefits of Working With a Houston Business Transaction Attorney
At Business & Transaction Attorneys, we focus on preventive legal strategies to help business owners avoid costly disputes and litigation. With over 30 years of corporate transactional experience, our founding attorney Gil Melman brings big-firm expertise with a small-firm focus, guiding clients through every stage of business growth.
When you work with a business transaction attorney Houston companies trust, you gain more than legal documents; you gain a strategic advisor dedicated to protecting your business and positioning it for growth. Our clients choose us because we deliver customized agreements tailored to their businesses rather than relying on boilerplate templates. We provide preventive guidance by anticipating problems before they arise, and our decades of experience enable us to offer efficient, cost-conscious counsel. In addition, we provide full support across the business lifecycle, including business formations, partnership agreements, and ongoing fractional general counsel services.
Comprehensive Business Transaction Services
We help Houston entrepreneurs choose the optimal business structure (general partnership, LP, LLC, etc.) and handle all formation filings to set it up correctly.
Partnership Agreements
We draft partnership agreements from scratch or formalize existing informal arrangements, always tailoring the terms to fit your ownership structure and goals.
LLC Operating Agreements
For multi-member LLCs, we prepare operating agreements that define each member’s roles, voting rights, and profit share.
We review existing partnership or operating agreements for gaps or outdated provisions, then update them to align with your current needs and Texas law.
Our attorneys guide businesses through strategic acquisitions, mergers, due diligence processes, negotiations, and comprehensive documentation, ensuring seamless transactions.
Structuring fundraising initiatives, drafting investment agreements, and ensuring full compliance with applicable securities regulations.
Succession & Exit Planning
We include provisions for buyouts, succession, or dissolution. Planning for events such as an owner’s retirement, a business sale, or an unexpected departure ensures that you won’t face turmoil when a change occurs.
Why Choose Us
Reasons For Choosing BT Attorneys
Unparalled Experience & Insight
Gil Melman’s three decades of transactional expertise ensures precise, commercially driven legal advice. His extensive in-house experience uniquely positions him to quickly understand your business risks and proactively address them.
Cost-Effective Transactional Legal Solutions
By quarterbacking your legal strategy, Gil coordinates directly with specialized experts in tax, environmental, labor, franchise, and other areas, significantly reducing costs and providing comprehensive, efficient counsel.
Proactive, Strategic Counsel to Avoid Litigation
Gil Melman emphasizes proactive transactional strategies designed to minimize litigation risks. By anticipating and addressing potential issues early, he helps clients avoid costly disputes and maintain smooth business operations.
Tailored Legal Strategy
At BT Attorneys, we understand each business’s unique circumstances. We listen, assess, and develop customized legal strategies designed specifically for your objectives, ensuring alignment with your commercial goals.
Trusted & Proven Advisor
Gil Melman has built his reputation on transparency, strategic insight, and client-focused solutions. With extensive experience representing businesses at every growth stage, from innovative startups to large enterprises, Gil understands how to deliver successful transactional outcomes.
What Our Clients Say
Sean
CEO / CO-FOUNDER
“Gil Melman has served as our outside council for several years. Gil has provided outstanding legal guidance and support for a broad range of our needs. Gil has drafted legal contracts that positioned us favorably with our suppliers, customers, and investors. He has played an active role with various negotiations. Gil has also taken the time to have direct contact with opposing legal council for a faster resolution to issues, which have save time and money for both parties. Gil has also assembled supporting legal resources when required. Gil has supported the company during multiple fundraising rounds that were often time sensitive.
Gil can be a bulldog when it comes to protecting our position. However, he is pragmatic with regard to business relationships and needs. I have led multi-billion dollar businesses at large corporations and I can honestly say that Gil has provided us the best legal representation in my career. It has been my experience that most corporate lawyers see things in black and white. Gil advises on the black and white will also educating me on the aspects and mitigation strategy for the gray areas as well. This is extremely valuable because things usually end up in these gray areas, and I am better prepared.”
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Head Office
Houston, Texas
3700 Buffalo Speedway #1150, Houston, TX 77098
Phone: +(1) 713-304-2396