The long-term stability of a family business depends on a clear and sustainable control structure. We assist clients in identifying weak points in the ownership and governance chain and designing mechanisms to preserve and transfer control across generations. Our cross-disciplinary capabilities ensure that our clients maintain strategic control even in the face of regulatory, marital, market, or operational complexity.
Review and optimization of holding structures
We analyze corporate and group shareholding arrangements, bylaws, and governance documents to identify control gaps and propose structural refinements.
Control and defense mechanism design
We design differentiated voting rights, preferred share classes, board composition rules, and division of powers to strengthen the position of controlling shareholders.
Impact of marital relationships on control
We advise on joint ownership, pre-/post-nuptial agreements, and divorce-related risk isolation to prevent marital disputes from disrupting control.
Separation between ownership and management
We establish protocols to separate controlling rights from day-to-day management, minimizing internal interference and enhancing governance stability.
Shareholders' agreements and family protocols
We assist in drafting voting arrangements, preemptive rights, co-sale rights, buyback mechanisms, and other documents to stabilize control and guide succession.
Control transition across generations
We design succession plans using tools such as lifetime transfers, death-triggered mechanisms, and control trusts to manage intergenerational transition.
Preservation of control through IPO and financing
We advise on maintaining family control during financing rounds, private placements, and pre-IPO restructuring, including protections against dilution and external influence.
Employee equity plans and executive incentive design
We balance incentive needs with control preservation by structuring stock options or equity grants without weakening the family's core control.
Control risk management in capital transactions
We advise on equity pledges, financing terms negotiations, valuation adjustment mechanisms (including put/call options), restructurings, spin-offs, M&A transactions, and other capital arrangements that may affect control.
Secondary market risk mitigation
We advise on defense strategies against hostile takeovers, block trades, negotiated transfers, and other capital market actions that may undermine control.
Liability planning for controlling shareholders
We identify and mitigate control erosion risks arising from personal guarantees, litigation exposure, or regulatory liabilities.
Board seat allocation and external director management
We structure board representation to comply with governance standards while guarding against external control intrusion.
Optimization of corporate governance architecture
We help define strategic governance models, clarify authority lines, and improve internal controls under the desired control structure.
Dispute resolution mechanisms for control-related issues
We design enforceable dispute resolution systems—such as arbitration clauses, compulsory buybacks, and charter-based remedies—to ensure control predictability and recovery paths.
Regulatory compliance for control arrangements
We review and advise on control structures in the context of pre-IPO, post-IPO, and listed company regulatory requirements.
Control-sensitive investment and financing strategies
We support family businesses in designing onshore and offshore investment or fundraising structures that balance control preservation with capital needs.
Family investment funds as control vehicles
We assist in structuring and operating family funds as vehicles for asset allocation, control consolidation, and intergenerational transition—integrating legal, tax, and governance considerations.
