Protect What Matters YOUR Family Freedom Business Legacy Reputation

The Attorneys at Marcellino Moore, PLLC have been awarded Super Lawyers®, which includes less than 2.5% of the nation's top attorneys!

Shareholder Disputes Attorneys in Charlotte

Founded in 2011. Business-Law & Civil-Litigation Guidance for Ownership Conflicts.

Corporate ownership disputes can put voting power, financial interests, and the company’s direction at risk. At Marcellino Moore, PLLC, we draw on business-law insight and civil-litigation capabilities to assess the governing documents, disputed conduct, and practical options involved.

Our Charlotte firm prepares carefully and advocates in and out of the courtroom. Our team includes talented attorneys and dedicated staff, and our firm is recognized by Super Lawyers®, a distinction earned by fewer than 5 percent of attorneys nationwide.

Call (980) 427-3401 or reach out online to discuss a corporate ownership conflict and the legal issues affecting your interest or business in Charlotte.

Common Causes of Corporate Shareholder Disputes

A disagreement among shareholders may affect access to information, distributions, voting rights, management participation, or control of a closely held corporation. These conflicts often become more complicated when the same individuals serve as shareholders, directors, and officers.

Corporate ownership conflicts may involve:

Minority shareholder concerns: A minority owner may allege exclusion from management, withheld distributions, improper dilution, or restricted access to information.
Voting and control disputes: Owners may disagree over director elections, major transactions, executive authority, or the interpretation of voting agreements.
Financial misconduct allegations: Conflicts can involve compensation, related-party transactions, diverted opportunities, asset use, or inaccurate financial reporting.
Fiduciary-duty concerns: A fiduciary duty is a legal obligation to act for another party’s benefit in specified circumstances. Whether such a duty exists or was breached depends on the parties’ roles and applicable law.
Owner separation: The parties may dispute the value of an ownership interest, the terms of a buyout, or whether an owner can leave without disrupting operations.

Why Shareholders, LLC Members & Partners Have Different Rights

A corporation’s dispute shouldn’t automatically be analyzed under the rules governing a limited liability company or partnership. Entity type, management structure, ownership documents, and the source of the alleged injury can determine which statutes and remedies apply.

For a corporation, the analysis may begin with its articles of incorporation, bylaws, shareholder agreement, stock-purchase documents, voting agreements, and board records. Operating agreements and partnership agreements create different legal frameworks for LLC members and partners.

Continue Reading Read Less

Our Client Testimonials

Behind Every Case is a Real Person and a Real Story

“Jennifer Moore, Alexis Gadzinski and their team were stellar in supporting me.”
“They were great to work with and achieved all of my goals. I highly recommend Jennifer and Alexis to represent you.”

- Richard R.
“Kay Bolaños and her team did an outstanding job.”
“Her legal advice and expectations were honest and accurate from beginning to end. The way Kay handled the case was on point. I am happy with the trust I placed in her.”

- Antonio A.
“It was a pleasure working with Kay and Katie.”
“The team at Marcellino & Moore (Kay Bolanos & Katie Glenney) handled my family matters in a very professional and efficient way. My situation was a bit unique, and they spent time researching and brainstorming potential outcomes.”

- Elena
“Will definitely use their representation again.”
“Their communication is top notch as well as their support which is the most important aspect in my opinion.”

- Former Client
“Matt, thanks for all the hard work, and more importantly, your compassion and real world knowledge.”
“I cannot say enough about the firm's pragmatism, understanding of the NC law process, and their level of communication.”

- William M.
“I HIGHLY recommend this law firm.”
“5 stars aren’t enough to rate my experience with this law firm. Attorney Clay Campbell exceeded my expectations. I just sat back and listened to him annihilate the opposing counsel. It was quite comical.”

- Monica H.
“I had the privilege of being represented by Clay Campbell and his exceptional team.”
“Their knowledge of the law is unmatched, and they navigated my case with precision and expertise. The entire team demonstrated outstanding communication, always keeping me informed and at ease throughout the process.”

- Former Client
“Her professionalism and commitment to my needs were evident from the start.”
“Jennifer was straightforward and transparent, giving me confidence in her abilities. The team was responsive and ensured my interests were always a priority. I'm grateful for their help, which has allowed me to move forward positively.”

- Zoraida G.

Settlements & Judgments

Our Case Results

Rights to Property
Attorney Marcellino was able to convince the Superior Court to cancel a lis pendens that was improperly used against the firm’s client.
Truck Accident
An individual was involved in a truck accident and Attorney Campbell was able to use his extensive experience to advocate for and help his client secure a six-figure settlement.
Dismissal of Lawsuit and Prevailing on Appeal
Clay Campbell led members of the firm’s family law and civil litigation teams in representing a client who faced a separate civil lawsuit arising from alleged conduct during an underlying domestic matter.
Judgment in Favor of Client & Successful Collection Efforts
Clay Campbell, working with the firm’s litigation team, represented a homebuyer after the seller failed to disclose tax liens that were not discoverable through an ordinary title search because of the seller’s name change.
Summary Judgment Dismissing Case Against Client
Attorney Clay Campbell and his team recently successfully defended a multinational retail company against a negligence claim involving an alleged slip and fall on an unidentified liquid.

View More Results

Meet Our Team

Protecting What Matters Most

Learn More About Us

Shareholder Rights Under North Carolina Law

Rights may arise under the North Carolina Business Corporation Act and the corporation’s governing documents. Available claims and remedies depend on ownership status, the challenged action, procedural compliance, and the language of those documents.

Access to Corporate Records & Governance Rights

Owners may have the right to inspect specified corporate records, subject to requirements concerning notice, ownership status, purpose, and the materials requested. Corporate governance rules may also define voting rights, board authority, and approval requirements.

Direct Claims & Derivative Proceedings

A direct claim addresses an injury belonging to an individual owner. A derivative proceeding, by contrast, seeks recovery for an injury sustained by the corporation, with the owner pursuing the case on the corporation’s behalf.

Under the North Carolina Business Corporation Act, derivative proceedings generally involve requirements related to standing, fair and adequate representation, a written demand, and a 90-day waiting period unless a recognized exception applies. Correct classification matters because it can affect who owns the claim, which procedures apply, and how any recovery is treated.

Appraisal Rights & Judicial Dissolution

Appraisal rights may allow an owner to seek payment for shares following certain qualifying corporate transactions. These rights depend on the transaction and compliance with applicable procedures and deadlines.

Judicial dissolution may be available in specified circumstances, including director or owner deadlock, waste or misapplication of corporate assets, or rights created by a written agreement. A serious disagreement alone doesn’t make dissolution automatic, and less disruptive alternatives may warrant consideration.

How We Evaluate a Corporate Ownership Conflict

We begin by connecting the legal issues to the client’s ownership position and business objectives. After examining the circumstances, we can discuss whether an out-of-court strategy, litigation, or a combination of approaches may fit the case.

Relevant materials may include:

Articles of incorporation, bylaws, and amendments
Shareholder, voting, and stock-purchase agreements
Stock ledgers and capitalization records
Board and shareholder meeting materials
Financial statements and distribution records
Communications concerning disputed decisions or transactions

Potential paths include a corporate-records demand, negotiation, mediation, governance changes, or a negotiated buyout. Depending on the facts and current law, other options may include injunctive relief, direct litigation, a derivative proceeding, appraisal, or judicial dissolution.

Preserving emails, messages, financial records, meeting materials, and transaction documents can provide a stronger foundation for review. The appropriate response may vary depending on whether the conflict concerns a minority owner, controlling owner, director, officer, investor, or the corporation itself.

Continue Reading Read Less

Real Talk, Legal Insights, and Stories That Matter

Tune In To Our Podcast

Corporate Ownership Disputes in Charlotte

A Charlotte corporate dispute may involve North Carolina statutes, state-court procedures, company records, and agreements developed over years of business operations. Certain complex corporate and commercial cases may qualify for designation to the North Carolina Business Court, depending on statutory criteria and procedural requirements.

From our office in Charlotte’s historic Elizabeth neighborhood, we focus on the governing legal framework, available evidence, and the client’s practical objectives. Not every conflict requires courtroom litigation, so we consider both negotiated solutions and formal legal action based on the circumstances.

Discuss Your Shareholder Dispute With Our Firm

Contact us to explain what happened and identify the relevant agreements, records, and communications. Our business-law and civil-litigation perspective can help clarify questions involving control, access to information, fiduciary conduct, financial interests, and the future of the business relationship.

We can review the circumstances and discuss potential next steps based on the governing documents, available evidence, and current law.

Call (980) 427-3401 or reach out online to speak with Marcellino Moore, PLLC about your Charlotte shareholder dispute.

Continue Reading Read Less

Reach Out To Us

Let's Navigate This Together

First Name
Please enter your first name.
Last Name
Please enter your last name.
Phone
Please enter your phone number.

This isn't a valid phone number.
Email
Please enter your email address.

This isn't a valid email address.
Are you a new client?
Please make a selection.
How can we help you?
Please enter a message.
By submitting, you agree to receive text messages from Marcellino Moore, PLLC at the number provided, including those related to your inquiry, follow-ups, and review requests, via automated technology. Consent is not a condition of purchase. Msg & data rates may apply. Msg frequency may vary. Reply STOP to cancel or HELP for assistance. Acceptable Use Policy