The effective San Diego shareholders rights attorneys at the Watkins Firm have more than four decades of experience in these cases.  There are times where majority interests are not acting in your or the company’s best interest and it is important to assert and/or protect your rights as a shareholder in San Diego.  The Watkins Firm represents San Diego and Southern California shareholders and investors in negotiations, disputes, mediation and litigation to protect their rights and interests.

Shareholder Disputes are About Money

Shareholder disputes are usually rooted in one issue: money.  Investors and shareholders have a financial and business interest in their company.  It is natural to want to achieve the best possible outcome from your work and investments.   When you invest in a company as a shareholder, you have specific rights and legal protections under California law.  Unfortunately, majority interests and corporate management often step on those rights and take unjust actions which do not reflect either the agreement in place or your own best interests.  The effective San Diego shareholder rights attorneys at the Watkins Firm work to protect your position and interest in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Games People Play

There are many games majority shareholders, corporate executives and company management often play in order to reduce what they are obligated to give to minority shareholders or investors, or cut them out completely.  The majority interest may attempt a “freeze out” – a strategic move designed to prevent minority shareholders from having input on company decisions or direction.  In other cases it can be as subtle as making it extremely difficult to access the company books or other important corporate documents.

We’ve seen it all, from a simply failure to appropriately pay prescribed dividends to literally attempting to bilk a client out of their investment entirely. We had a client who was an investor in a medical product who was told the venture had not succeeded and the company was closing down.  Ultimately we learned the other owners had actually formed another company outside of the United States (without our client) attempting to cut them out of a multi-million dollar success.  We were able to achieve a lucrative and successful outcome for our client.

Strategies Employed by the Effective San Diego Shareholders Rights Attorneys at the Watkins Firm

There are several strategies the effective San Diego shareholders rights attorneys at the Watkins Firm employ to protect our clients interests, resolve challenges facing a shareholder or investor and accomplish their goals.

Negotiation.  The Watkins Firm is able to resolve a substantial percentage of our shareholder dispute cases through effective, leveraged negotiation.  Once opposing parties realize you are represented by the Watkins Firm the majority know their actions are under scrutiny and legal review.  This often provides the leverage necessary to accomplish your goals and protect your financial and business interests.  When areas of principled disagreement exist mediation may provide a cost-effective, private and timely alternative to litigation.

Litigation or a Derivative Lawsuit.  When negotiation or a demand letter are not effective, it is necessary to file a lawsuit.  Our attorneys provide guidance and insight on whether to sue the parties directly, or if you need to file a derivative lawsuit on behalf of the corporation itself.  California law provides several opportunities for the minority shareholder to have access to important corporate information and remedies for non-payment of dividends, breach of fiduciary duty and other exclusionary actions.

If you are a minority shareholder or investor and need help to assert your rights and protect your financial interests in San Diego we invite you to review the strong recommendations of our clients and contact the Watkins Firm or call 858-535-1511 for a complimentary consultation today.