Partnership Agreements
Going Into Business With Someone? Get the Agreement Right.
Most business partnerships start with trust, enthusiasm, and a handshake. They end — when they end badly — with disputes over equity, roles, decision-making, and money that could have been prevented by a well-drafted agreement from day one.
Ainsworth Gorkin drafts and negotiates partnership agreements, LLC operating agreements, and shareholder agreements for New York businesses. We help you structure the relationship clearly — before the relationship gets complicated.
Agreements we draft & negotiate:
→ LLC Operating Agreements
→ General Partnership Agreements
→ Limited Partnership Agreements
→ Shareholder Agreements
→ Joint Venture Agreements
→ Buy-Sell Agreements
Agreement Types
The Right Agreement for Your Business Structure
01
LLC Operating Agreements
The foundational document for any multi-member LLC. We draft operating agreements that cover ownership percentages, voting rights, profit distributions, management authority, and exit procedures.
02
General & Limited Partnership Agreements
Formal partnership structures for businesses with general and limited partners — covering capital contributions, profit sharing, liability, and the rights and obligations of each party.
03
Shareholder Agreements
For corporations with multiple shareholders — addressing equity ownership, voting agreements, transfer restrictions, drag-along and tag-along rights, and dispute resolution.
04
Buy-Sell Agreements
What happens when a partner wants out, dies, or becomes incapacitated? A buy-sell agreement sets the terms in advance — so a business-ending dispute doesn't have to happen.
05
Joint Venture Agreements
Two businesses collaborating on a specific project or opportunity. We structure joint ventures to define contributions, profit sharing, IP ownership, and what happens at the end.
06
Agreement Review & Amendment
Already have an agreement but something has changed — new partner, new structure, changed circumstances? We review existing agreements and draft amendments that reflect the current reality.
What Every Agreement Needs
The Provisions That Prevent Disputes.
A good partnership agreement doesn't just document what everyone agrees on today — it anticipates what you might disagree about tomorrow. These are the provisions we make sure every agreement addresses.
Already in a partnership dispute?
We also represent partners in litigation when relationships break down.
Partnership Dispute Litigation →
Ownership & EquityWho owns what percentage, how equity can be transferred, and what happens to a partner's interest if they leave or pass away.
Decision-Making & VotingWhat decisions require unanimous consent, majority vote, or can be made unilaterally — and how deadlocks get resolved.
Profit & Loss DistributionHow profits and losses are allocated among partners, when distributions are made, and what gets reinvested in the business.
Partner Roles & CompensationWho does what, who gets paid what, and how that changes as the business grows — clearly defined to prevent future resentment.
Exit & Buyout ProvisionsHow a partner exits voluntarily or involuntarily, how their interest is valued, and the mechanics and timeline of a buyout.
Non-Compete & ConfidentialityWhat a departing partner can and can't do after they leave — protecting the business without creating unenforceable overreach.
Why Ainsworth Gorkin
Agreements Built to Last — and Hold Up.
A partnership agreement drafted by a lawyer who doesn't understand business is worse than no agreement at all — it gives you false confidence while leaving the real issues unaddressed. We've seen what happens when these agreements fail, and we draft to prevent it.
Ainsworth Gorkin brings both transactional and litigation experience to partnership agreements. Because we've handled partnership disputes in court, we know exactly where agreements break down — and we draft to close those gaps before they become problems.
We Draft Agreements That Actually Get Used
The best partnership agreement is one that the partners understand and will actually follow. We write in plain language, explain every provision to our clients, and make sure the agreement reflects the real dynamics of the relationship — not just a template.
1
Transactional + Litigation ExperienceWe draft agreements knowing what disputes look like in court. That perspective makes us better drafters.
2
Plain Language DraftingWe write agreements that the parties actually understand — because an agreement no one reads is an agreement no one follows.
3
Flat Fees AvailableFor standard agreement drafting, we offer flat fee arrangements so you know the cost before we start.
4
Partners on Every MatterLevi or Shaya drafts your agreement directly. No associates, no templates handed off to a junior.
5
Free Initial ConsultationWe'll discuss your partnership structure, what you need the agreement to cover, and what it will cost — before you commit.
Starting a business partnership in New York? Let's get the agreement right.
Free consultation. Flat fees available for standard agreements. No commitment required.