Legal Gym™ Series for you - International trade

Shareholders agreement

This week’s focus:
🔹 Shareholders’ Agreements: 5 Things to Align on Before You Sign
Whether you're building a startup or entering a new venture, a solid shareholders’ agreement is your legal safety net. But miss the basics — and you're headed for a courtroom workout.

Here’s what must be in shape before you sign:

✅ 1. Roles & Rewards
Are shareholder-founders expected to work in the business? What’s the salary? Courts have enforced promises of employment tied to ownership.

✅ 2. Exit Game Plan
What happens if someone wants out — or is forced out? Set clear rules for selling shares and how to calculate the price. Ambiguity = lawsuits.

✅ 3. Commitment & Exclusivity
Are all founders all-in? Should they avoid side gigs or competing ventures? Spell it out. Courts back clear non-compete clauses.

✅ 4. Voting & Decisions
Who decides what — and how? Align voting power with real expectations. Contractual voting pacts help, but don’t override company law.

✅ 5. Disputes & Privacy
Court or arbitration? Public or private? Decide now how you'll resolve disputes — and keep sensitive matters confidential.

💡 Finnish Supreme Court cases show: most shareholder disputes could’ve been avoided with better agreements. Don’t skip the legal warm-up — draft smart.
📩 Need help drafting or reviewing a shareholders’ agreement? Let’s talk.