South Carolina Shareholder Oppression Litigation

We understand the trials and tribulations of the small business environment. Andy Arnold has experience in the area of shareholder oppression in small businesses, a scenario often overlooked but commonly faced by minority shareholders.

Minority shareholders in closely-held corporations or limited liability companies (LLCs) may find themselves at the mercy of the majority shareholders. Such shareholders may experience ‘squeeze-outs’ or ‘freeze-outs’, terms used to describe the variety of tactics majority shareholders employ to diminish or eliminate the minority’s share value or to forcibly buy them out. The dynamics of a small business can easily allow these oppressive actions to occur, causing severe harm to the minority shareholders, both financially and personally.

Shareholder oppression can manifest in various forms, from the withholding of critical business information, exclusion from decision-making processes, and denial of rightful dividends, to termination of employment. In other instances, majority shareholders may employ the tactic of a ‘squeeze-out’ – a deliberate attempt to minimize a minority shareholder’s stake in the company. This action can be accomplished by issuing new shares to dilute the minority’s ownership percentage, altering the company’s direction to conflict with the minority’s interest, or implementing unfair buy-sell agreements.

If you find yourself a victim of ‘freeze-out’ tactics, where majority shareholders limit your participation in the company’s operations, deny you employment, or engage in other actions to reduce your benefits as a shareholder, you need a robust legal strategy to fight back and protect your rights. We pride ourselves on providing personalized and strategic legal counsel to guide you through these challenging situations. Our attorneys are not just legal professionals; they are advocates for justice and equality in the business world. We work diligently to ensure that the power majority shareholders wield is not misused, and that the rights of minority shareholders are upheld.

Shareholder Oppression & Commercial Litigation

For cases involving partnership fraud, shareholder oppression, and breach of fiduciary duty, contact the Law Office Of W. Andrew Arnold. He also litigates a wide range of business disputes, such as breach of contract, employment disputes, and fraud. Call 864-242-4800.