Minority Shareholder Rights in California, Selling Your Minority Interest: Owner-only

Selling a your minority interest in a privately held business in California must be handled thoughtfully. First, if you are able to sell a minority interest in a privately held business for a profit (whether small or substantial) you are already on a good path. This article addresses some considerations for an individual minority owner only (e.g. not an owner-employee).

The good news is that you are getting paid for your hard work and getting a return on your investment. These are the rewards that capitalism provides. The bad news is that your Company may try to limit your ability to own and operate a similar business for a period of years or within a specific geographic region through a non-compete agreement.

You may say, “Wait, I read ‘Non-Competition Clauses In California: It’s No Contest after Edwards,’ which says non-compete agreements are void in California.” They are ….for employees.

However, there are narrow exceptions under 16601, 16602 and 16602.5 which provide that a seller of “substantially all” of his/her/its assets, goodwill or interest in a business “may agree with the buyer to refrain from carrying on a similar business within a specified geographic area in which the business so sold, or that of the business entity, division, or subsidiary has been carried on, so long as the buyer, or any person deriving title to the goodwill or ownership interest from the buyer, carries on a like business therein.”

Due to the may language this will naturally result in a negotiation of the future restrictions on the activity of the seller, which will often become a material business point affecting the pruchase price paid for the Seller’s shares or whether the sale will even be consummated.

Adishian Law Group, P.C. assists owners of privately held companies in the negotiation and sale of their shares or membership interests to maximize the value of their ownership interest while allowing them reasonable freedom to pursue their next entrepreneurial dream or investment. If you are contemplating the sale of your interest in a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, we recommend that you consult and attorney before concluding the purchase and sale agreements.

About Adishian Law Group, P.C.

Adishian Law Group is a California law firm with a statewide practice in the areas of Corporate law, Employment law, Real Estate law and Mediation Services. Adishianlaw.com is one of the oldest continually operating law firm websites on the Internet. The firm serves its clientele via three offices located in the major business hubs of El Segundo, Palo Alto and San Francisco. As of March 2013, Adishian Law Group, P.C. has represented individual and corporate clients located across 20 California counties, 4 States outside of California and 9 foreign countries — in over 340 legal matters.

For more information about this topic or to speak with Chris Adishian:

Telephone: 310.726.0888 | 650.955.0888 | 415.955.0888
Email: askalg@adishianlaw.com
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