[MRM]

Law firms often create a class of partnership called nonequity partner. A variation on that theme might be a good option for you. A nonequity partner shares in profits and losses and gets a proportionate vote in matters that the partnership or company puts to a vote. They are a real live partner. The only difference is that they don't have an equity interest in the company. That means they don't own an interest in the partnership property, like the building, the company name, etc. Maybe you can make them junior nonequity partners with a 5% partnership or something.