Corporation & LLC Issues in Tennessee

Nashville Corporate & LLC Litigation Lawyers

Corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) are designed to protect business owners, streamline operations, and define rights and responsibilities. But when disputes arise—between shareholders, between LLC members, or between the business and outside parties—those same structures can become complicated fast. Conflicts can jeopardize ownership interests, financial stability, voting rights, control of the business, and even the survival of the company.

At Freeman & Fuson, we regularly represent corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and individual business owners in disputes involving formation issues, internal conflict, breaches of operating agreements, shareholder oppression, and litigation with third parties. Our attorneys have extensive experience navigating Tennessee’s business entity laws and the practical realities of running and protecting a company.

Practice Areas 

Key Tennessee Laws Governing Corporate & LLC Disputes

Corporate and LLC issues in Tennessee are primarily governed by:

• T.C.A. § 48-201-101 et seq. – Tennessee Business Corporation Act
• T.C.A. § 48-249-101 et seq. – Tennessee Revised Limited Liability Company Act
• T.C.A. § 48-17-101 et seq. – Protecting shareholders against unfair practices and derivative actions
• T.C.A. § 48-236-101 et seq. – Corporate dissolution
• T.C.A. § 48-249-601 et seq. – LLC member rights, voting, distributions & fiduciary duties

These laws control everything from how an entity is formed to how disputes must be handled, how votes occur, how profits are distributed, how fiduciary duties apply, and what happens if the entity must be dissolved.

We use these statutes strategically—whether asserting your rights, defending against claims, or preventing your business partners from abusing their control.

When Formation Issues Create Legal Problems

Many corporate and LLC disputes originate in the formation process.

Problems often arise when:

• The operating agreement or bylaws were never drafted
• Formation documents leave out key provisions
• Ownership percentages are unclear or contested
• Founders did not understand their voting rights or obligations
• Partnership responsibilities were never properly documented
• Investors or new members join without updated agreements
  

Under T.C.A. § 48-249-203, LLC operating agreements control the internal affairs of the company. When these agreements are silent or incomplete, Tennessee statutory “default rules” apply—often in ways owners never intended.

We help businesses correct these issues, negotiate new agreements, and resolve disputes before they escalate into litigation.

Litigation Between Businesses and Third Parties

Corporations and LLCs also face disputes with vendors, customers, contractors, competitors, insurers, and other outside parties.

Problems often arise when:

• Breach of contract
• Fraud or misrepresentation
• Non-compete and non-solicitation agreements
• Partnership disputes with outside entities
• Real estate and lease issues
• Unfair business practices
• Collections and payment disputes
• Intellectual property or confidentiality violations
  

Whether your entity is bringing a claim or defending one, we provide comprehensive litigation support backed by decades of trial experience.

Dissolution, Buyouts & Business Breakups

Sometimes the best resolution is restructuring ownership or winding down the entity.

Under Tennessee law:

Common disputes include:

We represent businesses and owners in both voluntary and contested dissolution matters, ensuring that rights are protected, valuations are fair, and statutory procedures are followed.

Our approach includes: