Corporate and commercial advice comes back to Larken and Co

Larken and Co are pleased to welcome Laura Coleman-Day to the team. Laura joins as head of commercial property, bringing extensive expertise in both commercial property and corporate and commercial matters.

Laura said: “I am thrilled to have joined Larken and Co and am excited to be able to provide corporate and commercial advice to clients as well as dealing with commercial property matters.

“I am very much enjoying being part of such a highly regarded firm and getting to know my colleagues and clients. Being part of the local community is important to me, and the fact that Larken and Co support so many local events and charities was a real attraction”

Senior partner Denise Ryan said: “Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the firm and has a proven track record of success in the field of corporate commercial and commercial property work. She is a great asset to the team.

“We are delighted to have her on board and confident that she will make a valuable contribution to our firm and help us continue to provide quality legal services to our clients.”

Laura holds a first class honours degree in forensic science, which she completed prior to undertaking a graduate diploma in law and legal practice course. She has worked in the Lincolnshire area ever since, specialising in corporate and commercial, and commercial property work — even finding time to complete 12 marathons in 12 months for the Anthony Nolan charity, raising over £20,000.

She started her career by undertaking company ad-ministration matters for clients and has successfully sold and purchased entire industrial units for clients, sold and bought companies with net worths of £2.5m, and been instructed on multiple occasions to ensure clients’ terms and conditions, and goods and services contracts are as watertight as they can be.

“I am very passionate about the legalities of companies and partnerships and pride myself on working with clients to achieve what they set out to do. My previous clients have described me as friendly, forward thinking and focused,” said Laura

If there is one piece of advice Laura recommends to every company, it is that you should have a shareholder agreement. This also applies to partnerships — you need a partnership agreement.

The relationships between shareholders are crucial to the success and stability of a company. Whether the business is a start-up, a family-owned enterprise, or a growing corporation, having a shareholder agreement in place is an essential step that can safeguard both the company and its investors.

It sets out how the shareholders will behave in relation to the company and clarifies roles and responsibilities, thereby helping to reduce misunderstandings and setting expectations from the start.

If disagreements do arise, they will be less likely to end in costly legal battles as the agreement will have procedures for conflict resolution.

It can also set out the rules for share transfer, such as right of first refusal to existing shareholders, promote transparency and trust, fostering a cooperative and productive environment. It protects the company’s future by planning for the eventualities of shareholder death, incapacity, or one who simply wants to leave.

A shareholder agreement is much more than just a legal formality — it is a vital tool that protects shareholders’ interests, prevents disputes, and promotes the long-term health of the business.

Whether starting a new venture or operating an established company, shareholders should prioritise creating a comprehensive shareholder agreement to ensure clarity, fairness, and stability in their partnership.

If you own a business, but do not have a shareholder agreement, or think your current one could do with a review and update, or seek advice on any other corporate or commercial matters, please do not hesitate to contact Laura at Larken and Co.