News & Analysis as of

Derivatives Fiduciary Duty

Proskauer - Employee Benefits & Executive...

In Split Ruling Second Circuit Declines to Compel Arbitration of ERISA Plan Claims

They say that April showers bring May flowers, but there were no flowers for ERISA plan sponsors and fiduciaries on May 1 when the Second Circuit held, in a ruling that provoked a vigorous dissenting opinion, that an ERISA...more

Proskauer Rose LLP

Conflict Between Delaware LLC Act and Bankruptcy Code Affects Creditor Toolbox

Proskauer Rose LLP on

As you know from our prior alerts, creditors of borrowers formed as Delaware LLCs (as opposed to corporations) lack standing under Delaware law to sue directors for breaching fiduciary duties even when, to the surprise of...more

Mintz - Bankruptcy & Restructuring Viewpoints

Delaware Bankruptcy Court Grants Derivative Standing to Creditors’ Committee to Sue Members and Officers of Delaware LLC

In early February, a Delaware bankruptcy judge set new precedent by granting a creditors’ committee derivative standing to pursue breach of fiduciary duty claims against a Delaware LLC’s members and officers. At least three...more

A&O Shearman

After Derivative Litigation Judgment For Defendants, Delaware Court Of Chancery Denies Application For “Mootness” Fee For...

A&O Shearman on

On February 7, 2024, Vice Chancellor Sam Glasscock III of the Delaware Court of Chancery denied a motion for a “mootness” fee of plaintiffs in a derivative action brought against the founder of a technology company (the...more

Allen Matkins

Are The Harvard Corporation Members Answerable Only To G-D?

Allen Matkins on

On December 12, 2023, the Harvard Corporation  unanimously reaffirmed its support for President Claudine Gay's continued leadership despite her controversial testimony before the U.S. Congress and allegations of plagiarism. ...more

Allen Matkins

A Recent Reminder That Omitting This Averment May Doom A Derivative Claim

Allen Matkins on

Section 800 of the California Corporations Code applies to actions brought in the name of any domestic or foreign corporation, aka derivative actions.  It is similar, but not the same as, Delaware Court of Chancery Rule 23.1...more

Woodruff Sawyer

Guide to D&O Insurance for SPAC IPOs, 2023 Edition

Woodruff Sawyer on

As they go through their initial public offering (IPO) and the subsequent merger & acquisition (M&A) process, special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) face many regulatory, legal, and business hurdles. Obtaining the...more

Morris James LLP

Chancery Upholds Claims Post-Merger

Morris James LLP on

Harris v. Harris, C.A. No. 2019-0736-JTL (Del. Ch. Jan. 6, 2023) - Delaware law allows for two exceptions to the continuous stock ownership rule for stockholders to bring and maintain standing to assert derivative claims...more

Dorsey & Whitney LLP

SEC Exams of Advisers and Investment Companies

Dorsey & Whitney LLP on

The Division of Examinations has revamped and updated its exam priorities according to its most recent release, 2023 Exam Priorities. Consistent with its typical approach the Division plans to focus on a blend of topics and...more

King & Spalding

Delaware Chancery Court Holds Corporate Officers Owe Duty of Oversight

King & Spalding on

Vice Chancellor Laster Extends This Fiduciary Duty, Previously Recognized only as to Corporate Directors - On January 25, 2023, the Delaware Court of Chancery answered an important question of officer liability, holding...more

Stark & Stark

CFP Board Issues Notice Applying Code and Standards to Cryptocurrency-Related Assets

Stark & Stark on

The Code and Standards Apply to Financial Advice About Cryptocurrency-Related Assets - On December 5, 2022, the CFP Board issued a notice to CFP professionals in response to questions raised regarding...more

Dechert LLP

Securities and Derivative Litigation: Quarter 3 2022 Update

Dechert LLP on

In this edition of Dechert’s Securities & Derivative Litigation Quarterly Update, we examine: (1) the Delaware Court of Chancery’s latest post-trial decision showing how the special committee process is critical in the...more

Fox Rothschild LLP

Minority Shareholders can “Follow the Money” Linked To Alleged Diversions by Majority for Phantom Salaries and Benefits

Fox Rothschild LLP on

The minority shareholders of a podiatry practice felt like they had been kicked around by the alleged financial misadventures of two colleagues who together controlled an 80 percent interest....more

Allen Matkins

A First Sighting Of Zuckerberg Decision In California

Allen Matkins on

Last year, the Delaware Supreme Court adopted a tripartite test for assessing demand futility allegations in derivative actions. United Food & Commercial Workers Union v. Zuckerberg 262 A.3d 1034 (Del. 2021). Under this...more

A&O Shearman

Delaware Court Of Chancery Applies Contemporaneous Ownership Requirement And Declines To Extend Equitable Derivative Standing

A&O Shearman on

On May 13, 2022, Chancellor Kathaleen St. J. McCormick of the Delaware Court of Chancery dismissed certain stockholder derivative claims for breaches of fiduciary duty brought against the founder-CEO and other directors of...more

A&O Shearman

Finding That Allegedly Conflicted Acquisition Satisfied Entire Fairness Review, Delaware Court Of Chancery Rejects Breach Of...

A&O Shearman on

On April 27, 2022, Vice Chancellor Joseph R. Slights III of the Delaware Court of Chancery entered judgment in favor of defendant, the CEO/Founder and then-Chairman (the “Chairman”) of Tesla Motors, Inc. (the “Company”),...more

A&O Shearman

Eighth Circuit Affirms Dismissal Of Merger-Related Derivative Suit For Failure To Plead Demand Excusal

A&O Shearman on

On April 7, 2022, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of derivative claims brought by shareholders of Centene Corporation (the “Corporation”) against directors and officers of the...more

Allen Matkins

California Court Of Appeal Finds Caremark To Be Too Steep A Hill For Plaintiff To Climb

Allen Matkins on

In January 2018, the media began reporting on  two security vulnerabilities affecting Intel Corporation's microprocessors - dubbed "Spectre" and "Meltdown".  Following these disclosures, Intel's stock price fell and its...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Court Rules Separation Agreement’s Covenant Not to Sue Bars ERISA Breach of Fiduciary Duty Claim on Behalf of Plan

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

In an order issued on October 15, 2021, United States District Judge Thomas W. Thrash from the Northern District of Georgia granted an employer’s Motion for Summary Judgment and ruled that plaintiff’s separation agreement...more

Morris James LLP

Chancery Grants Special Litigation Committee’s Zapata Motion, Finds Committee Was Sufficiently Independent and Reasonable

Morris James LLP on

Diep v. Sather, C.A. No. 12760-CM (Del. Ch. July 30, 2021) - Under Zapata, when analyzing a motion to dismiss by a special litigation committee, the court evaluates whether the committee was independent, acted in good...more

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Commercial Division Grants Order for Prejudgment Attachment Where Defendants’ Post-Litigation Transfer of Assets Could Frustrate a...

In In re Renren, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Justice Andrew Borrok of the New York County Commercial Division granted Plaintiffs’ order to show cause for prejudgment attachment against certain assets of defendants Oak Pacific...more

Allen Matkins

Unsuccessful Derivative Plaintiff Found Personally Liable For Defendant's Attorneys' Fees

Allen Matkins on

I expect that most plaintiffs in derivative actions do not expect to pay a defendant's attorneys' fees if they lose because under the "American Rule" each side pays their own attorneys' fees, regardless of who wins.  A...more

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

California Federal Court Enforces Delaware Forum Bylaw and Dismisses Derivative Shareholder Suit Including Exchange Act Proxy...

We have discussed in previous alerts a spate of shareholder lawsuits alleging corporate fiduciary breaches and securities law violations tied to the defendant company’s alleged failure to fulfill diversity aspirations. ...more

Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Business Divorce on the Menu

Farrell Fritz, P.C. on

The restaurant business is on the skids amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Yelp reports that 60% of closed restaurants won’t re-open. Apart from the pandemic, the success rate for new restaurants is dauntingly low. Surveys show a...more

Goodwin

SEC Adopts Broad Exempt Offering Reforms

Goodwin on

In the News. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) adopted broad exempt offering reforms; the Department of Labor (DOL) finalized a rule, with significant revisions from the original proposal, on ESG investments; the...more

57 Results
 / 
View per page
Page: of 3

"My best business intelligence, in one easy email…"

Your first step to building a free, personalized, morning email brief covering pertinent authors and topics on JD Supra:
*By using the service, you signify your acceptance of JD Supra's Privacy Policy.
- hide
- hide