Shareholder Agreement Review
Get an expert shareholder agreement review before you sign
A shareholder agreement governs your rights, your money, and your exit from a business — often for years to come. Whether you’re founding a company, joining as a partner, or receiving shares as part of your compensation, our corporate lawyers provide independent legal advice so you understand exactly what you’re agreeing to before you sign. Consultations are virtual, across British Columbia and Alberta.
What We Review
Share structure & valuation
How your shares are classified and valued, and whether the valuation method is fair to you.
Exit & buy-sell provisions
What happens if you leave, retire, are pushed out, die, or become disabled — including shotgun clauses and forced buyouts.
Transfer restrictions
Limits on selling your shares, rights of first refusal, and drag-along / tag-along provisions.
Control & decision-making
Voting rights, board composition, reserved matters, and whether minority shareholders have real protection.
Restrictive covenants
Non-compete, non-solicitation, and confidentiality clauses — are they enforceable and how do they limit your future?
Dividends & funding obligations
Your rights to profits, and whether you can be required to contribute more capital or have your shares diluted.
Common Questions We Answer
How much does a shareholder agreement review cost?
Our fixed fee for a standard shareholder agreement review is $950 plus tax. Complex agreements requiring extensive analysis are billed at $600/hour — we will ask you before billing.
Can the company pay for my Independent Legal Advice?
Yes. Companies often cover ILA fees for incoming shareholders. Whoever pays the fee doesn’t influence the advice we give — we work for you alone.
Why do I need independent legal advice for a shareholder agreement?
The lawyer who drafted the agreement acts for the company or the other shareholders — not for you. Independent legal advice ensures you understand your own rights, risks, and obligations before you commit. It also makes the agreement harder to challenge later on the basis that you didn’t understand it. Your rights as a shareholder in B.C. are grounded in the Business Corporations Act. If you’re also being asked to personally guarantee company debts, see our personal guarantee review service.
What should I look out for in a shotgun clause?
A shotgun (buy-sell) clause lets one shareholder force a buyout — and it favours whoever has cash available. We’ll explain how yours works and whether it puts you at a disadvantage.
Can a shareholder agreement force me to sell my shares?
Yes — many agreements include forced-sale triggers such as termination of employment, disability, or a drag-along sale. We’ll identify every trigger in your agreement and explain the price you’d receive.
Do I pay before or after the service?
Our retainer is payable prior to meeting with the lawyer.
Are there any hidden fees?
No. There are no hidden fees. We charge the base independent legal advice fee, plus tax.
Our Process
Intake
You provide your information and you sign a limited retainer agreement for ILA
Verify your Identity
We use a trusted partner to verify your identity
Book your virtual
ILA Consultation
Secure Upload
Submit your shareholder agreement through our encrypted portal
Document Review
We analyze every clause and research comparable situations
Virtual Consultation
15-60 minute video meeting to discuss your ILA
Written Advice
Detailed letter explaining our recommendations and certificate of independent legal advice
Book your Consultation
Fill out the form on our website to start the booking process.
Meet a lawyer
A lawyer will review the information you submit and prepare for the meeting.
Written Advice
Detailed letter explaining our recommendations and certificate of independent legal advice.
Pricing
Service
Price
Standard Shareholder Agreement Review
(depending on complexity)
Rush Service
Within 2hrs
Complex Agreements
$600/hour
for matters requiring extensive analysis. We will ask you before billing
Why Choose Independent Legal Co.?
Focus
We focus exclusively on independent legal advice – it's all we do.
Fast & Efficient
Most consultations completed within 4-48 hours. Rush service available for urgent matters.
Virtual-First
Meet from anywhere via secure video call. Upload documents safely through our encrypted portal.
Transparent Pricing
Fixed fees with no surprises. Know exactly what you'll pay before you start.
Truly Independent
We work for you alone. No conflicts of interest, no divided loyalties.
What Our Clients Say
