Corporate Governance

Helping corporations maintain compliance

At Burke Blue, we understand the internal issues that corporate officers, board members and shareholders face. Our corporate lawyers make themselves available to corporate clients to provide counsel and assistance with various issues of corporate governance and internal disputes. Where large corporations have their own legal departments to provide advice on governance and other issues, medium and small corporations can count on Burke Blue’s corporate attorneys for legal counsel and support in managing their internal issues.

The corporation is often the favored entity type for large or complex businesses with large numbers of shareholders.  This is because the corporate form limits the direct managerial authority of shareholders, provides limited liability and allows the easy transfer of ownership interests. The corporate form is also by far the most complicated business type to administer and requires most corporations to appoint a board, hold regular board and shareholder meetings and keep a number of records.  Failing to follow corporate formalities can expose shareholders to direct responsibility for the corporations liabilities.

Helping small businesses stay in control

While the easy transferability of shares is generally an advantage for corporations, allowing shareholders complete freedom can sometimes present problems.  One way for corporations to keep some control over share ownership is to use well-drafted and comprehensive shareholder agreements.  These are agreements between shareholders and the corporation that address contingencies regarding share ownership and may place some limits on a shareholders ability to sell their shares.

Shareholder agreements can be crucial to the success of a corporation.  But in order to be effective, shareholder agreements must address a multitude of issues and conform to legal standards.  At Burke Blue, corporate lawyers understand that every business is different and no one shareholder agreement is right for everyone.  That is why we listen to clients, take note of their concerns and draft comprehensive shareholder agreements that address those concerns and help our clients achieve their business goals.

50 years of providing comprehensive legal services to businesses and individuals throughout Northwest Florida

The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience or contact us online or by phone at 850-769-1414 for Panama City; 850-236-4444 for Panama City Beach.