Mediation and Arbitration in Pennsylvania Partnership and Shareholder Disputes

Partnership and shareholder disputes are among the most disruptive and emotionally charged matters facing privately held businesses in Pennsylvania. Disagreements between co-owners, members, or shareholders often involve more than money—they typically involve years of relationship history, personal investment, business identity, and questions about the future of the enterprise. These cases frequently become protracted in the courts while the business itself remains distracted, financially strained, or at risk.

Mediation and arbitration offer a more efficient and confidential way to resolve partnership and shareholder disputes, providing the opportunity for closure while protecting the ongoing viability of the business.

Extensive Partnership and Ownership-Dispute Experience

Over his 27-year legal career, Attorney Michael Agresti has handled numerous partnership, shareholder, and member disputes involving closely held corporations, LLCs, and professional organizations across Pennsylvania. He has represented individual partners, founders, successor owners, minority shareholders, and majority-interest clients in disputes involving:

• ownership rights

• governance and control

• fiduciary-duty claims

• valuation disagreements

• compensation and distribution disputes

• freeze-outs and squeeze-outs

• dissolution and winding-up issues

• enforcement of operating agreements

Because partnership disputes often involve personal relationships and future business viability, they require careful handling by a neutral who understands both the legal and personal dynamics involved.

Why These Cases Stall in the Courts

Litigation in partnership and shareholder disputes often moves slowly because:

• valuation disputes require expert testimony

• accounting takes time and expense

• the parties are deeply divided emotionally

• courts often encourage settlement rather than trial

• business records require extensive discovery

Meanwhile, the business frequently remains stuck in conflict, unable to move forward or meaningfully separate ownership interests.

How Mediation Helps

Mediation allows the parties to discuss:

• valuation approaches

• buyout alternatives

• compensation disputes

• future governance

• dissolution strategies

• tax implications

• transition planning

A mediator with experience in ownership disputes can help identify common ground and guide parties toward solutions that preserve value and reduce personal and financial harm.

Arbitration When Closure Is Needed

When parties need a final resolution, arbitration may be preferable. Arbitration offers:

• faster scheduling

• confidentiality

• flexible evidentiary procedures

• expert-informed decision-making

• a final result with limited appeal

These features can help close ownership disputes that have stalled in the Court of Common Pleas.

Why Michael Agresti Is an Effective Neutral in Partnership Cases

Because he has represented both individual partners and business owners, Michael Agresti brings a balanced understanding of the legal and human challenges that drive these disputes. His litigation background, combined with years handling corporate formation, business operations, and ownership-transition issues, enables him to assist parties in achieving practical and fair resolution through mediation and arbitration.

For information regarding partnership and shareholder mediation or arbitration, please contact:

Michael A. Agresti magresti@marshlaw.com