Episode 4: John Cunningham Interview on Avoiding LLC Deadlock
From early-stage startups to seasoned enterprises, businesses eventually form at least one legal entity to carry out their operations. Down the road, as opportunities arise for a business to expand, acquire others, merge, or...more
One feature commonly seen in commercial lending transactions is a waiver of the borrower’s authority to file for bankruptcy without the consent of the lender. While such “blocking” provisions are generally upheld where the...more
The blockchain community has debated for years whether Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) can or should be analogized to a corporate form and whether they operate to insulate DAO members from legal liabilities....more
An Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) recently determined that an individual member of a limited liability company (“LLC”) was personally liable for an LLC’s sales tax deficiency, both because he was a member of the LLC, and...more
Limited liability companies (LLC or LLCs) are an attractive choice of entity for many non-public companies. An LLC is the preferred choice of entity for many advisors, including me, unless the facts warrant something...more
In In re Mijares, a plaintiff claimed that a defendant defrauded him and breached fiduciary duties owed to him by charging improper, excessive, and unauthorized expenses to their medical practice, causing the...more
By definition, a minority owner in a private company does not have control over the business or the right to make decisions for the company. But minority owners do have legal recourse when the company’s majority owners –...more
One of the goals in a business divorce is finality – ending a business relationship once and for all. But what if the end isn’t really the end?...more
In Lazar v. Attena LLC, Justice Andrea Masley of the New York County Commercial Division granted Arik Mor and Uriel Zichron’s (together, “Respondents”) motion to dismiss a petition to dissolve three limited liability...more
Several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of first appearing on this blog, with a piece about a Delaware Chancery Court decision considering—as a matter of apparent first impression—whether an LLC could exercise, then walk back a...more
Can the sledgehammer remedies of California Penal Code section 496 — treble (triple) damages and attorney fees — apply for misappropriation of an LLC’s property? The California Supreme Court is set to answer that question...more
Arizona's new Limited Liability Company Act (the "New Act"), which goes into effect for all Arizona LLCs on September 1, 2020, and already governs limited liability companies (each an "LLC") formed on or after September 1,...more
The New Arizona Limited Liability Company Act (the "New Act"), applicable immediately for all Arizona limited liability companies (each, a "LLC") formed on or after September 1, 2019 and applicable September 1, 2020 for all...more
Power and control can provide the means to promote a personal agenda (such as a robot composer) at the expense of the investment or business objectives and the other owners’ interests. This article discusses the duty that...more
LLC managers (or members vested with decision-making authority) are sometimes lulled into a false sense of security by “sole discretion” provisions in their LLC’s operating agreement. That can be a costly mistake....more
A common LLC problem: LLC members are ready to call it quits on the LLC and divide their interests in the LLC’s real property. Some members may want to sell, receive cash, and recognize gains for tax purposes. Other...more
Almost one year ago, in Switzer v. Wood, California’s Fifth Appellate District held that an LLC manager or member participating in the theft of the LLC’s property could face liability under Penal Code section 496 — a statute...more
Membership and interests of an LLC are two different things. Understanding the differences between membership and interests in an LLC makes you better equipped to optimally design economic and management relationships for...more
I find Judge Cynthia Bashant's recent ruling in Platypus Wear, Inc. v. Bad Boy Europe, Ltd., U.S. Dist. Case No. 16-cv-02751-BAS-BSM (Jan. 23, 2020), to be curious in in several respects. Judge Bashant ruling was on the...more
I was especially drawn to the case I’m about to introduce involving LLC member withdrawal, owing to the Jacobs v Cartalemi case that I litigated to a successful conclusion about two years ago, also involving member...more
The New Arizona Limited Liability Company Act (the “New LLC Act”) will impact all Arizona limited liability companies this year. The Arizona Limited Liability Company Act was recently amended. For any Arizona LLC formed on or...more
Today’s post focuses on a thorny issue arising from the LLC Jungle — can derivative claims be pursued on behalf of a dissolved or cancelled LLC? In short, the answer is “yes” — but there are nuances to be aware of....more
In the LLC Jungle, allegations of “misappropriation” are common. LLC members and managers sometimes improperly divert the LLC’s funds and property for their own personal use. That bad behavior usually leads to claims of...more
The Louisiana Second Circuit Court of Appeal recently held that a noncompetition provision under La. R.S 23:921 affecting a former member of an accounting limited liability company (LLC) could be reformed when the scope of...more
Not long ago, The LLC Jungle posted an article addressing the perils of attorney representation of an LLC with two equal “co-managing members.” See Why Having “Co-Managers” for Your LLC is a Terrible Idea. This post...more