Shareholders Agreement Drafting for Companies & Investors 

Protect Shareholders’ Rights & Prevent Disputes with a Clear, Legally Binding SHA

A Shareholders Agreement (SHA) is a crucial legal document that governs the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of shareholders within a company. Whether you are incorporating a new business, onboarding investors, or restructuring internal ownership, a well-drafted SHA ensures clarity, governance discipline, and long-term protection against conflicts.

Consult Your Counsel specializes in professionally drafted, enforceable Shareholders Agreements tailored to the needs of startups, private companies, joint ventures, family businesses, and institutional investors.

Why Your Company Needs a Shareholders Agreement

• Establishes clear shareholding structures and ownership rights

• Defines voting rights, dividend entitlements, and decision-making powers

• Protects minority shareholders and investor interests

• Regulates exit, share transfer, and succession mechanisms

• Reduces the risk of disputes between co-founders, promoters, or investors

• Complements your Articles of Association with specific governance rules

Types of Shareholders Agreements We Draft

• Founders’ Shareholders Agreement

• Investor Shareholders Agreement (VC, Angel, PE)

• Joint Venture Shareholders Agreement

• Family-Owned Business SHA (for succession and continuity)

Situations Where a SHA is Essential

• During seed, angel, or venture capital fundraising

• When forming a joint venture or strategic partnership

• For startups with multiple co-founders or investor classes

• While restructuring ownership in an existing company

• In case of mergers, acquisitions, or family business transitions

Key Clauses Included in Our Shareholders Agreements

• Share Capital Structure and Shareholding Pattern

• Rights and Obligations of Each Shareholder

• Profit Distribution and Dividend Policy

• Reserved Matters and Voting Thresholds

• Share Transfer Restrictions and Lock-In Periods

• Tag-Along, Drag-Along, and Pre-Emptive Rights

• Exit Procedures, Buyout Mechanisms, and Valuation Terms

• Non-Compete, Confidentiality, and Non-Solicitation Clauses

• Dispute Resolution and Governing Law

Information Required from Your End

• Company incorporation and ownership details

• List of shareholders and proposed rights/obligations

• Existing Articles of Association (if applicable)

• Shareholding structure or cap table

• Specific preferences on exit, dispute resolution, or transfer rights

Our SHA Drafting Process

1. Share your company details, shareholding pattern, and commercial expectations

2. We assess risks, compliance factors, and strategic shareholder concerns

3. A customized Shareholders Agreement is drafted in line with your objectives

4. Final SHA delivered in legally valid and editable format

5. Post-delivery assistance for amendments, clarifications, or execution

Our SHA Services Cover

• SHA for Startups and Investors

• SHA for Family Businesses and Succession Planning

• SHA for Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances

• Review and Amendment of Existing Shareholders Agreements

• Legal Advisory on Shareholder Disputes and Governance

Why Choose Consult Your Counsel

• Legally robust and commercially tailored SHAs

• Deep understanding of investor-founder dynamics

• Clarity in ownership, rights, and control mechanisms

• End-to-end assistance from consultation to execution

• Fixed-fee pricing and timely delivery across India

Make Every Shareholders’ Agreement Governance-Ready with Consult Your Counsel