Many times, minority shareholders have a suspicion, but no direct knowledge, of the majority shareholder(s) improper behavior. For example, what if you believe the majority shareholders are improperly running all their expenses through the company but don’t have any proof?

First, let’s examine how and why this could be considered shareholder (or member, in the case of an LLC) oppression under New Jersey law. » Read More

Shareholder oppression – at least in New Jersey – does not necessarily mean you must prove that your business partner is acting maliciously.  In fact, he could be a wonderful human being who honestly believes that he is doing the right thing for the business at all times and would never intentionally hurt you or the business.  » Read More

There appears to be an uptick in the filing of meritless corporate shareholder and LLC member oppression claims in New Jersey.  Not everything that majority shareholders do that upsets a minority owner is worth spending legal fees to pursue.

When the only allegations one can make are a failure to keep an absentee shareholder fully informed of all business transactions, and a failure to obtain that minority shareholder’s consent to such transactions, that alone is rarely a recipe for successful litigation.  » Read More

I have previously posted on this blog in the past about how the termination of a minority shareholder’s employment can constitute minority shareholder oppression in New Jersey, possibly entitling the minority shareholder to a buy-out. This is based on the theory that an owner of a small, closely-held business reasonably expects employment as long as he is a shareholder. » Read More