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I may be looking at disagreements over who controls the company, how company funds have been used, compensation, distributions or access to financial information. Other issues can include self-dealing, excessive compensation, diversion of funds or restricting an owner’s access to books, records, financial statements and bank accounts. Disputes between majority and minority owners can become especially difficult when the parties disagree over who has authority to make certain decisions, or when a family member believes they have been excluded or pushed out of a business in which they have an ownership interest. I would also want to understand whether personal and company finances have been kept separate. If funds have been intermingled or financial arrangements have been handled informally, it can become harder to establish what particular transactions were for and whether they were appropriate. Another question I consider is the role in which the person was acting. Did that person decide as a shareholder, member or owner of the company, or did it arise from the family relationship outside the business? That distinction can be important when assessing a potential fiduciary duty claim. Family members often go into business with a high level of trust, which can lead to less formal arrangements. If the relationship later deteriorates, clear records, defined responsibilities and proper financial controls become particularly important. How can high-profile clients protect confidentiality and reputation during disputes? For high-profile clients, I think confidentiality and reputation need to be considered early. If sensitive information becomes part of a public court filing, it can be very difficult to limit its exposure afterwards. That means thinking carefully about what is filed with the court and what information could become part of the public record. Depending on the circumstances, confidentiality provisions and protective orders may also help protect certain information during the case. I would also consider whether there is an opportunity to resolve the dispute before litigation. Mediation can sometimes allow the parties to address their differences privately before a lawsuit is filed. It won’t be appropriate in every case, but when confidentiality is a significant concern for my client, it is an option worth considering. Reputation also needs to be considered alongside the legal issues. For clients with significant public exposure, having a PR strategy in place may be appropriate. If my client has public relations advisers, I think there should be coordination between the legal and PR teams. A public statement could affect the litigation, while a decision made during litigation could affect the client’s reputation. There can be situations where an aggressive legal position makes sense, but the way it is pursued still requires careful thought. My role is to protect my client’s legal interests while remaining aware of the longer-term business and reputational consequences. What role do forensic accounting and financial experts play in high-asset litigation? Forensic accountants and financial experts can be extremely useful in high-asset litigation because they help us understand what the financial records actually show. Depending on the dispute, I may need an expert to trace money and assets, examine transactions for possible irregularities or reconstruct financial activity