Ƶ

Shareholder Agreement Closely Held Corporation for the United States

Shareholder Agreement Closely Held Corporation Template for United States

A Shareholder Agreement for a Closely Held Corporation is a legally binding document governed by U.S. federal and state laws that establishes the rights, responsibilities, and relationships between shareholders in a private corporation. It typically includes provisions for share transfers, voting rights, management structure, dispute resolution, and exit strategies. This agreement is particularly important in closely held corporations where shares are not publicly traded and relationships between shareholders are more intimate.

Your data doesn't train Genie's AI

You keep IP ownership of your information

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Download a Standard Template

4.6 / 5
4.8 / 5
Access for free
OR

Alternatively: Run an advanced review of an existing
Shareholder Agreement Closely Held Corporation

Let Ƶ's market-leading legal AI identify missing terms, unusual language, compliance issues and more - in just seconds.

What is a Shareholder Agreement Closely Held Corporation?

A Shareholder Agreement for a Closely Held Corporation is essential when establishing or maintaining a private corporation with a limited number of shareholders in the United States. This document becomes necessary when shareholders want to formalize their relationships, protect their interests, and establish clear protocols for business operations and ownership transfers. It addresses crucial aspects such as share transfer restrictions, voting rights, management participation, dispute resolution, and exit strategies. The agreement must comply with both federal securities laws and state-specific corporate regulations, making it a fundamental document for closely held corporations seeking to maintain stable and well-defined shareholder relationships.

What sections should be included in a Shareholder Agreement Closely Held Corporation?

1. Parties: Identification of all shareholders and the corporation

2. Background: Context of the agreement and formation of the corporation

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement

4. Share Ownership and Capital Structure: Details of share classes, rights, and ownership distribution

5. Management and Control: Governance structure, voting rights, and decision-making processes

6. Transfer Restrictions: Limitations on share transfers and right of first refusal provisions

7. Buy-Sell Provisions: Terms for purchase of shares upon specific trigger events

What sections are optional to include in a Shareholder Agreement Closely Held Corporation?

1. Tag-Along Rights: Rights of minority shareholders to join in sale of shares when majority shareholders sell their shares

2. Drag-Along Rights: Rights of majority shareholders to force minority shareholders to join in the sale of the company

3. Employment Provisions: Terms and conditions regarding shareholder employment in the corporation, including roles and responsibilities

4. Non-Compete Provisions: Restrictions on competitive activities by shareholders during and after their involvement with the corporation

What schedules should be included in a Shareholder Agreement Closely Held Corporation?

1. Schedule A - Current Shareholdings: Detailed breakdown of current share ownership and distribution

2. Schedule B - Valuation Method: Agreed methodology for share valuation in case of transfers or buyouts

3. Schedule C - Reserved Matters: List of decisions requiring special majority or unanimous consent

4. Schedule D - Form of Share Transfer Notice: Template for notifying intent to transfer shares

5. Appendix 1 - Corporate Bylaws: Copy of current corporate bylaws referenced in the agreement

6. Appendix 2 - Share Certificates: Copies of current share certificates issued to shareholders

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Ƶ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Ƶ

Cost

Free to use
Clauses
































Industries

Securities Acts: Securities Act of 1933 and Securities Exchange Act of 1934 - Federal laws governing securities issuance, trading, and disclosure requirements

Internal Revenue Code: Federal tax regulations affecting corporate structure, stock transfers, and shareholder distributions

Federal Close Corporation Guidelines: Federal guidelines specifically addressing the formation and operation of closely held corporations

State Corporation Laws: State-specific laws governing corporate formation, operation, and dissolution, varying by jurisdiction

Blue Sky Laws: State-level securities laws regulating the offering and sale of securities to protect investors from fraudulent activities

State Business Corporation Acts: Comprehensive state statutes governing corporate operations, shareholder rights, and corporate governance

Uniform Commercial Code: Standardized state laws governing commercial transactions, including security interests and transfer of rights

Corporate Governance Requirements: Legal requirements for corporate decision-making, board operations, and shareholder meetings

Fiduciary Duties: Legal obligations of loyalty, care, and good faith owed by directors and officers to the corporation and shareholders

Securities Registration Requirements: Federal and state requirements for registering securities offerings, including applicable exemptions for closely held corporations

Transfer Restrictions: Legal framework governing limitations on stock transfers in closely held corporations

Buy-Sell Provisions: Legal requirements for structuring and implementing share purchase agreements between shareholders

SEC Regulations: Federal regulations governing securities transactions, reporting requirements, and corporate compliance

State Securities Regulations: State-specific rules and requirements for securities transactions and corporate compliance

IRS Regulations: Federal tax regulations specifically addressing stock valuations and transfer taxation in closely held corporations

Minority Shareholder Rights: Case law and statutory protections for minority shareholders in closely held corporations

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

Find the exact document you need

Stock Purchase Agreement Between Shareholders

A U.S.-governed agreement facilitating the transfer of company shares between existing shareholders, outlining terms, conditions, and protections for all parties involved.

Download

Shareholder Control Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement governing shareholder rights, responsibilities, and relationships in a corporation.

Download

Shareholder Agreement Closely Held Corporation

A U.S.-governed legal agreement defining rights and obligations between shareholders in a closely held corporation.

Download

Closely Held Corporation Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing rights and obligations between shareholders in a closely held corporation.

Download

MOU For Shareholders Agreement

A preliminary U.S. legal document outlining intended terms for a future formal shareholders agreement.

Download

Spousal Consent Shareholder Agreement

A US legal document obtaining spousal consent to shareholder agreement terms and share ownership arrangements.

Download

Simple Stock Purchase Agreement Between Shareholders

A U.S.-governed agreement documenting the sale of shares between existing or new shareholders in a private company.

Download

Cross Option Agreement Shareholder

A U.S. legal agreement establishing mutual share purchase/sale options between shareholders upon specified trigger events.

Download

Corporation Ownership Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement establishing corporate ownership structure, shareholder rights, and governance framework.

Download

Single Shareholder Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement defining the relationship between a company and its sole shareholder, establishing rights and responsibilities under federal and state law.

Download

Pre Emption Rights In Shareholders Agreement

US-law governed pre-emption rights agreement establishing shareholders' first right to purchase shares before third-party sales, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.

Download

Shareholders Agreement Contract

A US-governed agreement establishing rights, obligations, and relationships between company shareholders, including share transfer provisions and corporate governance mechanisms.

Download

Shareholder Indemnification Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement establishing terms for company indemnification of shareholders against specified losses and legal expenses.

Download

Shareholder Dissolution Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement that formalizes the process of corporate dissolution and outlines the terms for winding up business operations and shareholder relationships.

Download

Shareholder Representative Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement appointing a representative to act on behalf of shareholders, defining their authority and responsibilities.

Download

Shareholder Confidentiality Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing confidentiality obligations between a company and its shareholders regarding sensitive business information.

Download

Private Company Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement that defines rights and obligations between shareholders in a private company.

Download

Company Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement defining rights and obligations between company shareholders and establishing rules for company governance.

Download

Venture Capital Shareholders Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement defining rights and obligations between venture capital investors and company shareholders, including key provisions for corporate governance and investor protection.

Download

Shareholder Separation Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement documenting the terms of a shareholder's exit from a company through share transfer or sale.

Download

50 50 Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing rights and obligations between two equal shareholders in a company.

Download

Shareholder Operating Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal document that establishes the operating framework between shareholders and defines company management structure.

Download

New Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement that establishes rights and obligations between company shareholders, setting rules for ownership, transfers, and corporate governance.

Download

Directors Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement establishing the terms and conditions of a director's service on a company's board of directors, compliant with federal and state corporate laws.

Download

Shareholder Withdrawal Agreement

A U.S. legal document that formalizes a shareholder's exit from a corporation, including terms of share transfer and continuing obligations.

Download

Shareholder Management Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement that establishes rights and obligations between shareholders and defines corporate governance structure.

Download

Silent Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-compliant agreement establishing terms for passive investment in a company without management rights.

Download

Shareholder Termination Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement that formalizes a shareholder's exit from a corporation, including share transfer terms and mutual releases.

Download

Shareholder Redemption Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement governing a corporation's repurchase of its shares from existing shareholders.

Download

Shareholder Contract

A U.S.-governed legal agreement defining rights and obligations between company shareholders and establishing corporate governance framework.

Download

Private Equity Shareholders Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement establishing rights and obligations between private equity investors and other shareholders in a portfolio company.

Download

Minority Shareholder Agreement

A U.S. legal agreement establishing rights and protections for shareholders holding non-controlling interests in a corporation.

Download

Family Business Shareholders Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement that defines the rights and obligations of family members who own shares in a family business, ensuring smooth operation and succession.

Download

Stakeholders Agreement

A U.S.-governed legal agreement defining rights and obligations between company stakeholders, including share ownership and management provisions.

Download

Small Business Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement defining rights and obligations between shareholders in a small business.

Download

Shareholders Agreement Transfer Of Shares

A U.S.-governed agreement documenting the formal transfer of company shares between shareholders, including terms, conditions, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Download

Leave Letter For Medical Leave

A formal document used in the US to request and document employee medical leave, ensuring compliance with federal regulations including FMLA and ADA.

Download

Director Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement defining the rights and obligations of directors who are also shareholders in a corporation.

Download

Proxy Shareholder Agreement

A U.S. legal document granting authority to vote shares on behalf of a shareholder, governed by federal securities laws and state corporate regulations.

Download

LLC Shareholder Agreement

A U.S.-governed agreement that defines the rights and responsibilities of LLC members, including ownership, management, and operational procedures.

Download
See more related templates

ұԾ’s Security Promise

Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.

Your documents are private:

We do not train on your data; ұԾ’s AI improves independently

All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation

Your documents are protected:

Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption

We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure

Organizational security:

You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information

You have full control over your data and who gets to see it