Shareholders' Derivative Actions

Shareholders' Derivative Actions (also known as Derivative Actions or a Stockholder's Derivative Suit) are lawsuits brought by individual company shareholders in the name of the corporation in which they hold stock. They most commonly arise when one or more stockholders believe management are acting improperly, or are failing to take action to defend the company's rights. Examples include managers selling company assets to themselves or to outsiders at below market value - thereby diluting shareholder value and breaching the officers' fiduciary duties - or a failure by management to defend the company's patents and trademarks. It is important to note that because shareholders' derivative actions are brought in the name of the company, any compensation won goes to the company and not directly to the plaintiffs who initiated the suit (though, as shareholders, the plaintiffs do benefit, albeit indirectly).

These suits represent a highly specialized form of law which many firms are not well-equipped to handle. The Philadelphia-based firm of Danziger Shapiro, P.C., however, brings a wealth of experience to this legal area. We typically handle shareholders' derivative actions on a contingency fee basis. In such situations our final remuneration will be determined by the size of the ultimate settlement, and must be approved by the court.

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Adam has been my corporate attorney for over 10 years. He is extremely professional and knowledgeable. He efficiently moves through the judicial system and always keeps the best interest of his client in the foreground. Janet
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We hired Adam to represent us for a patent dispute. He was excellent from the very beginning. He was thorough, detailed, honest, forthright, succinct, and available to us for questions at all times. Needless to say he achieved the best outcome we could have hoped for, and I cannot recommend him highly enough. I only wish I could have given him a check mark on all of the attributes listed on LinkedIn, but it would only allow 3. Matt
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I just recently sold my company and the firm of Danziger Shapiro held up the legal end of the transaction. Adam Shapiro left no rock unturned to protect my interests. The closing did not proceed as smoothly as we had hoped, but Adam was supportive through the entire process. They have been my legal advisors for my company for many years and I have the utmost faith in them. They always keep the clients best interest at heart. J.H.