How New LLC Members Can Protect Themselves from Removal as Employees or Members: Operating Agreement Protections

When you join an LLC where you barely know the other members, you’re stepping into a business relationship that depends heavily on trust—yet trust is not a legal strategy. The Lengyel‑Fushimi v. Bellis saga (Kings County Supreme Court), which played out in the New York courts between 2021 and 2025, offers a cautionary tale and a roadmap for protecting yourself. In the Lengyel‑Fushimi case, which consisted of three founders, all members with the LLC Operating Agreement clearly stating that the…