---
title: "Shareholder Agreement Drafting | Attorney-Drafted SHA | GTC"
description: "Attorney-drafted shareholders' agreements. Vesting, ROFR, drag-along/tag-along, transfer restrictions, board composition, and deadlock resolution."
lang: en
json-ld: |
  [
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "Global Trademark Company LLC",
      "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com",
      "logo": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/gtc-logo.svg",
      "description": "Multi-practice IP and business legal firm. Trademarks in 100+ jurisdictions, patents in 10 + PCT, copyrights under Berne. Operating since 2016.",
      "foundingDate": "2016",
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaltrademarkcompany/",
        "https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co"
      ],
      "contactPoint": [
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          "@type": "ContactPoint",
          "telephone": "+1-510-973-4964",
          "contactType": "customer service",
          "areaServed": "US",
          "availableLanguage": [
            "English"
          ]
        },
        {
          "@type": "ContactPoint",
          "telephone": "+44-7453-347853",
          "contactType": "customer service",
          "areaServed": "GB",
          "availableLanguage": [
            "English"
          ]
        },
        {
          "@type": "ContactPoint",
          "telephone": "+91-6397-329955",
          "contactType": "customer service",
          "areaServed": "IN",
          "availableLanguage": [
            "English",
            "Hindi"
          ]
        }
      ],
      "address": [
        {
          "@type": "PostalAddress",
          "streetAddress": "712 H Street NE, Suite 2094",
          "addressLocality": "Washington",
          "addressRegion": "DC",
          "postalCode": "20002",
          "addressCountry": "US"
        },
        {
          "@type": "PostalAddress",
          "streetAddress": "YSC Complex, 4th floor, A-400, 12 Ajit Singh House, Sri Aurobindo Marg",
          "addressLocality": "New Delhi",
          "addressRegion": "Delhi",
          "postalCode": "110016",
          "addressCountry": "IN"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "Service",
      "name": "Shareholder Agreement",
      "serviceType": "Shareholder Agreement Drafting",
      "description": "Attorney-drafted shareholders' agreements. Vesting, ROFR, drag-along/tag-along, transfer restrictions, board composition, and deadlock resolution.",
      "provider": {
        "@type": "LegalService",
        "name": "Global Trademark Company",
        "url": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com"
      },
      "offers": {
        "@type": "Offer",
        "description": "Standard SHA; complex multi-class deals quoted upfront"
      }
    },
    {
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      "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
      "itemListElement": [
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 1,
          "name": "Home",
          "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 2,
          "name": "Corporate & M&A",
          "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/services/corporate-ma"
        },
        {
          "@type": "ListItem",
          "position": 3,
          "name": "Shareholder Agreement",
          "item": "https://globaltrademarkcompany.com/services/shareholder-agreement"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "@context": "https://schema.org",
      "@type": "FAQPage",
      "mainEntity": [
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "SHA vs. founders' agreement vs. shareholder rights agreement?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "These terms are often used interchangeably. A founders' agreement is usually a lighter pre-incorporation document. An SHA is the formal post-incorporation governance contract. A shareholder rights agreement is an investor-side contract focused on minority-shareholder protections, often layered on top of an SHA. We draft whichever is right for your stage."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "How is an SHA different from the company's articles or bylaws?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Articles and bylaws are public corporate documents required by company law. An SHA is a private contract between shareholders that adds enforceable promises on top. Transfer restrictions, board composition, ROFR, drag/tag, and deadlock resolution. The SHA and the articles need to be drafted in parallel to avoid conflicts."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "What is reverse-vesting and do I want it as a founder?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Reverse-vesting is when founders own their shares from day one but the company can buy them back at cost if a founder leaves before vesting completes. Most VC term sheets require it, typically four-year vesting with a one-year cliff. It protects the company against a founder leaving early with full equity."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Do all shareholders have to sign?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Strictly, the SHA only binds the parties who sign it. For it to function as a governance document, you want every shareholder signed up, which is why investor term sheets typically require new shares to be issued only on condition the holder signs the SHA."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "What does the SHA fee cover, and what is extra?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "Our flat fee covers the structure call, the drafted SHA, and one round of investor or co-shareholder revisions. Multi-class or multi-investor deals are quoted upfront by scope. Any government, registration, or filing fees are passed through at cost. We do not mark them up."
          }
        },
        {
          "@type": "Question",
          "name": "Can you advise on whether the deal terms are right?",
          "acceptedAnswer": {
            "@type": "Answer",
            "text": "We draft the agreement and advise on the legal structure and the implications of each clause. The commercial terms (valuation, who gets what, whether to do the deal) are the shareholders' call. We make sure the document reflects what you decide and protects you if relationships change."
          }
        }
      ],
      "dateModified": "2026-06-15"
    }
  ]
---

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1.  [Home](/)
2.  [Corporate & M&A](/services/corporate-ma)
3.  Shareholder agreements

Shareholder agreements · Founders + investors 

# Lock in the rules before the relationship gets tested. 

Attorney-drafted shareholders' agreements between founders, investors, and co-owners. We draft vesting, transfer restrictions, ROFR, drag-along, tag-along, board composition, dividend policy, and deadlock resolution. Commercial terms stay your call; we put them into an enforceable contract.

From $1,200  Standard SHA; complex multi-class deals quoted upfront

[Book a SHA Consultation](/forms/catalog/corporate-ma/shareholder-agreements?ref=b2c)

[Excellent Trustpilot ](https://www.trustpilot.com/review/globaltrademark.co)

 ![Founders and an investor reviewing a shareholders' agreement at a conference table](/img/home/hero-library/m-bc-board-480.jpg)

Rights defined

Drag, tag, pre-emption

Deadlock solved

Exit mechanics set

Cap-table clean

Ownership clear

Legal team

GTC's corporate team

Corporate & M&A counsel

Legal team

GTC's corporate team

Corporate & M&A counsel

$2.5M+  raised 10,856+  clients 11  attorneys 

$2.5M+  raised 10,856+  clients 11  attorneys 10+  years 

IIPLA Top IP Consultancy 2026 [Upwork · Top Rated Plus ](https://www.upwork.com/freelancers/zamanzaidi)

Trusted by founders and brands worldwide

![Atlys](/assets/atlys-B5BookJo.webp "Atlys")![Perfora](/assets/perfora-D4_346Y2.webp "Perfora")![Soxco](/assets/soxco-D31kWMAz.webp "Soxco")![BossCare](data:image/webp;base64,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 "BossCare")![Innovist](/assets/innovist-BgYdG_yd.webp "Innovist")![Bacardi](/assets/bacardi-JU27gvk6.webp "Bacardi")![Footcare Lab](/assets/footcarelab-BLfB0WJu.webp "Footcare Lab")![Bare Anatomy](/assets/bare-anatomy-CBhgu9Ro.webp "Bare Anatomy")![Freedom](/assets/freedom-confectionery-HioHiGYc.webp "Freedom")

How it works

## Three steps to a working SHA. 

1

### Founder-level structure call

Sixty to ninety minutes. Who owns what, the vesting plan, the board structure, how deadlocks resolve, and the exit horizon. The structure is the hard part; the drafting follows from it.

2

### Drafting + founder review

The SHA is drafted to the agreed structure, in parallel with your articles so the two do not conflict. All founders review it before it goes out to investors, if applicable.

3

### Negotiation + execution

One round of investor or co-shareholder revisions is included. The final SHA is executed and stored in the company's corporate records, ready to bind new shareholders as they join.

What it costs

## Flat-fee SHA drafting, quoted by scope

Shareholder Agreement starts from $1,200. A standard founders' SHA is a flat fee, quoted before any work starts. Multi-class and multi-investor deals are scoped on the structure call and quoted upfront, so you approve the fee before drafting begins. Any government, registration, or filing fees are passed through at cost.

What's included

-   Founder vesting and reverse-vesting terms (four-year, one-year cliff is standard) 
-   Share transfer restrictions: lock-in, board approval, ROFR, and ROFO 
-   Drag-along (forced sale) and tag-along (forced participation) clauses 
-   Board composition, voting rights, observer rights, and reserved matters 
-   Dividend policy and distribution waterfall mechanics 
-   Deadlock resolution: buyout, shotgun, mediation, or arbitration 
-   Founder departure: good-leaver, bad-leaver, and orderly-exit mechanics 
-   Exit triggers: IPO, trade sale, and change of control 
-   One round of investor or co-shareholder revisions 

Standard SHA (founders only, single class)

Flat fee, quoted upfront

Founders + first investors SHA (single investor class)

Quoted by scope

Multi-investor SHA (Series A, multiple investors)

Quoted by scope

Joint venture / multi-party SHA

Quoted by scope

SHA amendment (e.g. adding a new investor)

Quoted by scope

Government / registration / filing fees

Passed through at cost

GTC drafts the agreement and advises on legal structure. Commercial terms and the decision to proceed are the client's. This is not investment advice and no deal outcome is guaranteed.

Get started

### Draft your shareholder agreement

Tell us about the company and the shareholders and a GTC attorney will draft the SHA and email a flat-fee quote.

No payment required  Reply within 1 business day A GTC attorney reviews it & sends a flat-fee quote. 

1.  01 Brand details 
    
2.  02 Documents 
    
3.  03 Your details 
    

Already have an executed term sheet or a draft cap table? Share it and we can scope the SHA faster.

Brand details

1

Project / Company Name\* 

E.g. 'ACME Inc. — Series A SHA', 'Founders' Agreement — Beta Co'. 

2

Company Stage\* 

Drives standard provisions. 

3

What is prompting this SHA?\* 

Helps us understand the negotiation dynamics. 

4

Shareholders & Roles\* 

List shareholders + their roles (founder / investor / employee). Brief description of each. 

5

Key Provisions Needed\* 

Pick all that apply. 

BackNext

Why GTC

## Why founders draft the SHA with GTC. 

Legal team

GTC's corporate team

Corporate & M&A counsel

Attorney-led

### Drafted by attorneys, not a template

A GTC attorney drafts every clause to your cap table and stage. Vesting, ROFR, drag-along, tag-along, and reserved matters are tuned to the company, not pulled from a generic form.

### Aligned with your articles

The SHA is drafted alongside your articles or bylaws so the private contract and the public corporate documents do not contradict each other. Conflicts between the two are where governance disputes start.

### Deadlock and exit built in

Good-leaver and bad-leaver mechanics, buyout, shotgun, mediation, and arbitration paths are drafted before they are needed. Exit triggers for IPO, trade sale, and change of control are set up front.

### Investor-ready from day one

Reverse-vesting, transfer restrictions, and board composition are drafted the way VC term sheets expect, so the SHA holds up when investors diligence it rather than needing a rewrite.

Your Customer Success Team

## A dedicated team that owns your matter from start to finish.

Every GTC client gets a dedicated Account Manager and a Senior Account Manager who learn your business and stay with you from first email to final filing. They are named people who pick up the phone and already know your matter, so every step moves forward without delay.

### Your Account Manager

Your day-to-day point of contact, who coordinates every matter, keeps things moving, and already knows your file. They have your full history, so you start every conversation where the last one left off.

### Your Senior Account Manager

Senior oversight on strategy and escalations, stepping in as your needs grow, so every important detail stays on track.

A named person, on email or a call, at every step.

![Your dedicated GTC Customer Success Team](/assets/m-onboarding-bright-welcome-C-heDolY.jpg)

How we compare

## GTC vs. the alternatives

What you get

GTC

Online filing services

Doing it yourself

Attorney drafts to your cap table and stage

Big-firm corporate team: yes, at a higher rate 

Big-firm corporate team: yes, at a higher rate 

Flat-fee quote before work starts

SHA drafted in parallel with your articles

DIY templates: no. Conflicts go unnoticed 

DIY templates: no. Conflicts go unnoticed 

Vesting, ROFR, drag/tag, reserved matters covered

DIY templates: partial, generic clauses 

DIY templates: partial, generic clauses 

Deadlock and good-leaver/bad-leaver mechanics

One round of investor revisions included

Attorney drafts to your cap table and stage

GTC

Online filing services

Big-firm corporate team: yes, at a higher rate 

Doing it yourself

Big-firm corporate team: yes, at a higher rate 

Flat-fee quote before work starts

GTC

Online filing services

Doing it yourself

SHA drafted in parallel with your articles

GTC

Online filing services

DIY templates: no. Conflicts go unnoticed 

Doing it yourself

DIY templates: no. Conflicts go unnoticed 

Vesting, ROFR, drag/tag, reserved matters covered

GTC

Online filing services

DIY templates: partial, generic clauses 

Doing it yourself

DIY templates: partial, generic clauses 

Deadlock and good-leaver/bad-leaver mechanics

GTC

Online filing services

Doing it yourself

One round of investor revisions included

GTC

Online filing services

Doing it yourself

The timeline

## From structure call to executed SHA.

The hard part is the founder-level conversation; once the structure is agreed, drafting is quick.

1.  Day 0 
    
    ### Founder-level structure call
    
    Sixty to ninety minutes. Who owns what, the vesting plan, the board structure, how deadlocks resolve, and the exit horizon.
    
2.  ~1 week 
    
    ### Drafting + founder review
    
    The SHA is drafted to the agreed structure, in parallel with your articles so the two do not conflict.
    
3.  1 round included 
    
    ### Investor / co-shareholder revisions
    
    One round of revisions from investors or co-shareholders is included in the fee.
    
4.  On signing 
    
    ### Execution + records
    
    The final SHA is executed and stored in the company's corporate records, ready to bind new shareholders as they join.
    

In their words

## All your legal, in one place. 

One accountable team across every practice, operating since 2016.

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Years since 2016

Shareholder Agreement FAQ

## Frequently asked questions

SHA vs. founders' agreement vs. shareholder rights agreement? 

These terms are often used interchangeably. A founders' agreement is usually a lighter pre-incorporation document. An SHA is the formal post-incorporation governance contract. A shareholder rights agreement is an investor-side contract focused on minority-shareholder protections, often layered on top of an SHA. We draft whichever is right for your stage.

How is an SHA different from the company's articles or bylaws? 

What is reverse-vesting and do I want it as a founder? 

Do all shareholders have to sign? 

What does the SHA fee cover, and what is extra? 

Can you advise on whether the deal terms are right? 

[Book a SHA Consultation](/forms/catalog/corporate-ma/shareholder-agreements?ref=b2c)

Around the cap table

## The rest of your governance stack

Documents that work alongside a shareholders' agreement.

[

### Stock purchase agreement

When a priced round closes, the SPA issues the shares your SHA governs.

Draft an SPA

](/services/stock-purchase-agreement)[

### Term sheet drafting

Raising from investors? The term sheet sets the deal the SHA then implements.

Draft a term sheet

](/services/term-sheet-drafting)[

### Corporate / M&A

Buying, selling, or restructuring the company? That is a corporate or M&A engagement.

Explore M&A support

](/services/corporate-ma)

Shareholder agreements

## Ready when you  are.

Draft the SHA properly, before the relationship gets tested. Book a structure call and a GTC attorney will draft the agreement and send a flat-fee quote.

[Book My Free 30-Min Consult](/free-consultation)[Or Send Us a Message](/contact)

![GTC counsel on a client consultation call](/assets/m-client-call-bright-iWHveXAG.jpg)

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