Governance and owner disputes are among the most common and most disruptive challenges for closely held and family-owned businesses. Rooted in differing strategic visions, succession uncertainty, or conflicting liquidity needs, these conflicts can threaten both business stability and family relationships.

This session will explore practical strategies and legal instruments to anticipate and prevent such disputes. The discussion will cover how to structure shareholder agreements to balance rights, control, and flexibility; design governance frameworks that avoid deadlock and clarify decision-making; apply valuation methods and exit mechanisms to handle liquidity demands fairly; and use family charters, mediation, and arbitration to complement formal legal tools and preserve long-term harmony.