Family Business
Family owned businesses play a powerful role in global economies, especially in regions like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Bangladesh. These businesses often grow from personal legacy, trust and shared values, but as they expand, they face complex legal challenges that require expert guidance. From ownership structure and governance frameworks to cross generational succession planning and shareholder agreements, running a family business requires more than operational expertise. It requires strong legal foundations that protect both the family and the business.
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP is recognized as one of the best family business law firms because we understand the delicate balance between family relationships and commercial realities. Our legal team supports business owners, founders, heirs, shareholders and family partners through every stage of growth. Family businesses often encounter issues that traditional corporate models do not face, including emotional decision making, inheritance related disputes, leadership transition conflicts and protection of family wealth. Without professional legal systems in place, these challenges can affect profitability, stability and long term continuity.
Our firm provides solutions that help families maintain harmony while ensuring the business remains compliant, scalable and prepared for the future. Whether a family business operates locally in Dubai, expands regionally across the UAE, maintains assets in Singapore or seeks global positioning through the United Kingdom or Bangladesh, legal alignment is essential. Many family enterprises also need legal protection when introducing spouses, relatives or next generation members into ownership and leadership roles. We ensure that roles, rights, obligations and exit options are clearly defined to prevent misunderstanding or internal disputes.
Choosing Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP means choosing a legal partner with global expertise and regional understanding. Our lawyers are experienced in commercial law, inheritance law, corporate restructuring, tax strategy, wealth preservation and international regulatory compliance. We guide families in creating business systems that survive generational change, protect assets and strengthen long term legacy. By working with us, clients receive tailored legal strategies that honor both business objectives and family values. If you want your family business to grow, transition smoothly and operate securely across borders, our firm provides the clarity and protection you need.
Get the Legal
Guidance You Deserve
"Strong families create strong businesses, but strong legal foundations ensure the legacy thrives across generations with stability, security and lasting continuity."
Succession planning is one of the most sensitive and crucial stages in the life of a family business. As founders prepare to transfer leadership or ownership to the next generation, emotional, financial and structural challenges often arise. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP supports families in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Bangladesh to navigate this transition with clarity and confidence. Many family businesses fail to survive beyond the second generation due to unclear expectations, disputes regarding inheritance, or unprepared successors. Our succession planning solutions help prevent these risks by creating legally enforceable frameworks that establish how leadership and ownership will pass through generations.
We help families identify capable successors, draft governance rules, develop share transfer agreements and structure inheritance rights in compliance with local and international law. Whether your family business operates under civil law, common law or Sharia influenced systems, our legal team ensures your succession plan aligns with regional regulations while protecting your family’s intentions. In multicultural and multinational families, succession often requires cross border coordination, tax planning and asset protection strategies. Our global presence enables us to manage these elements seamlessly.
A strong succession plan supports business continuity, preserves brand identity and prevents conflict among family members. We help founders maintain involvement if desired, create advisory roles for retiring leaders and ensure smooth operational handover. Our goal is to support families so that the business continues to grow while relationships remain intact. If you want to secure your legacy and ensure a confident transition, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP provides the most reliable legal support for family business succession.
Family business governance determines how decisions are made, who holds authority, how disputes are resolved and how responsibilities are distributed. Without clear governance, family businesses often struggle with confusion, favoritism, lack of accountability and internal tension. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP specializes in designing governance models that protect both the business and family relationships. We assist clients in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Bangladesh with governance frameworks that define voting rights, management roles, ownership percentages and operational protocols.
As family businesses expand, informal decision making becomes unsustainable. Our legal experts help implement shareholder agreements, family constitutions, board structures and advisory committees that provide professional oversight while maintaining family influence. Governance is especially important when businesses bring in spouses, extended relatives, or external executives. We ensure expectations are clearly defined, compensation structures are fair and exit mechanisms are properly regulated. Family members often have different levels of involvement, and a legally designed governance structure ensures transparency and fairness.
We also provide guidance for restructuring ownership during expansion, merger, acquisition or diversification. Many families reinvest profits into new ventures or international markets and need legal frameworks that organize ownership and protect shared wealth. Our governance solutions strengthen trust, reduce emotional decision making and support the long term success of the business. Working with Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP ensures your governance structure is professional, compliant and designed for longevity. If your family business needs stronger organization, accountability and clarity, our legal team delivers the most effective support.
Disagreements within family businesses can be emotionally charged and damaging when left unmanaged. Conflicts may arise over financial decisions, inheritance expectations, leadership authority or personal relationships. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP offers specialized dispute resolution services for family businesses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Bangladesh. Our approach prioritizes protecting the business while preserving family harmony whenever possible. We assist with mediation, negotiation and litigation when required, ensuring disputes are resolved legally and efficiently.
Family business disputes often escalate because informal discussions lack structure, neutrality and enforceable outcomes. Our legal team provides an impartial and strategic process that guides families toward solutions grounded in fairness and legal compliance. We help clarify rights, responsibilities and interpretations of agreements. If the business lacks formal documentation, we create legally binding mechanisms to prevent future disputes. When necessary, we represent clients in court, arbitration or regulatory proceedings with professionalism and discretion.
Internal conflicts can affect employees, investors, customers and the business reputation. Resolving disputes quickly and professionally protects stability and preserves value. We also help families prepare proactive dispute prevention strategies, including conflict resolution clauses, communication frameworks and governance protocols. Whether conflicts involve siblings, parents and children, extended relatives or marital partners, our firm provides support that respects relationships while defending the business. Choosing Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP ensures that disputes do not threaten your legacy or financial security.
Many family businesses expand globally, diversify assets across regions or maintain family members living in different countries. Cross border business structures require careful legal planning to address tax exposure, asset protection, regulatory compliance and ownership rights across jurisdictions. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP provides expert support for families with business interests in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Bangladesh. International structuring is especially important for families who operate in multiple markets or plan to relocate leadership or ownership between generations.
We help families create holding companies, trusts, international corporate entities and aligned tax structures that protect assets and reduce legal risks. Cross border expansion can introduce challenges involving residency laws, inheritance regulations, cross jurisdictional disputes and foreign investment rules. Our global legal network enables us to support these complexities seamlessly. Families who wish to access international banking, investment opportunities or multi market operations benefit from strategic legal planning that ensures compliance and minimizes liability.
We also assist with intellectual property protection, regulatory licensing, joint ventures and cross border acquisition strategies. Many families choose to expand to markets like Dubai due to business friendly environments, or Singapore due to financial infrastructure, or the United Kingdom for global market reach. Our lawyers guide families through legal requirements while maintaining privacy, security and long term control. If your family business is growing internationally, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP offers the strongest legal support for expansion, structuring and wealth protection.
WHAT DOES PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US
The team was professional, responsive, and truly cared about my company registration process. Their clear communication and attention to detail made everything far easier than expected. Highly recommended.
Excellent service from start to finish. The team guided me through the import/export process with clear communication and reliable expertise. They handled all documentation efficiently, making the entire operation smooth and stress-free.
Fantastic experience! The team was knowledgeable, responsive, and guided me through the restaurant property purchase with ease. Their attention to detail and clear communication made the process seamless from start to finish.
Legal Insights
Singapore Sole Trader Registration 2025 – How to Register, Maintain, and Avoid Penalties
When someone talks about “Sole Trader Registration” in Singapore, they typically refer to registering a sole proprietorship (also known as...
Corporate Tax Registration in Singapore 2025 – Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Corporate tax registration in Singapore refers to the process by which a company ensures it is properly registered with the...
Company Registration in Singapore 2025 – Avoid These Costly Mistakes
Company registration in Singapore refers to the legal process of establishing a business entity under Singapore law. Most foreign and...