Reaffirming Delaware’s position on medical monitoring claims apart from its neighboring states, the Delaware Supreme Court answered a question certified to it by the Third Circuit ruling that there must be a manifestation of...more
The Delaware Supreme Court heard arguments on June 14, 2023, on a question certified to it from the Third Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals, as to whether medical monitoring claims can be made in Delaware without proof of...more
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
MultiPlan: Chancery court assesses fiduciary duties in the context of de-SPAC transactions - The Delaware Court of Chancery declined to dismiss, at the pleading stage, breach of fiduciary duty claims made against a SPAC's...more
The Delaware Supreme Court recently affirmed a Court of Chancery ruling granting a Special Litigation Committee’s motion to terminate a shareholder derivative action that had survived a motion to dismiss. The split decision...more
The Delaware Superior Court has held that an insurer is not obligated to reimburse or advance an insured’s attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in defense of an appraisal action because the appraisal action is not a claim for a...more
On March 16, 2022, in a unanimous decision the Delaware Supreme Court affirmed a Superior Court ruling that a securities class action and a later-filed opt out action were related claims, and thus the subsequent action was...more
In a win for Wiley Rein’s client, the Delaware Supreme Court has affirmed the trial court’s decision that a securities class action and an opt-out case constitute related Claims, such that the opt-out case is excluded from...more
In 2021, 182 securities class actions were filed against issuers of stock listed on US exchanges. This statistic means that the total number of annual filings in 2021 was down 13% compared to 2020. As highlighted in our...more
On Sept. 23, the Delaware Supreme Court endorsed a new universal three-part demand-futility test in United Food and Commercial Workers Union and Participating Food Industry Employers Tri-State Pension Fund v. Zuckerberg, et...more
Delaware Court of Chancery Finds that Director’s Email on Outside Email System Remains Confidential; Delaware Supreme Court Overrules Longstanding Precedent Regarding Derivative Versus Direct Standing; SEC Files Crowdfunding...more
In a Sept. 23, 2021, decision that may make it easier for Delaware boards of directors to obtain an early dismissal of derivative suits brought against them, the Delaware Supreme Court in United Food and Commercial Workers...more
In a recent decision, the Delaware Supreme Court ruled that insuring against fraud does not per se violate Delaware public policy and held that the insured’s D&O policy covered claims alleging securities fraud. RSUI Indemnity...more
The Delaware Supreme Court has issued two decisions over the past year that provide important guidance about directors’ and officers’ (D&O) liability insurance coverage. In RSUI Indemnity Company v. Murdock, the Supreme Court...more
In a decision that is likely to reshape directors and officers (“D&O”) policies across the nation, the Delaware Supreme Court has held that fraudulent conduct by corporate officers and directors is insurable under Delaware...more
Massachusetts Superior Court BLS Finds No Duty to Disclose Alleged Preliminary Merger Discussions, Northern District of California Declines to Dismiss Oracle Fraud Class Action Suit, SCOTUS Hears Oral Argument in Goldman...more
New York Federal Court Dismisses Securities Fraud Claims Against Alkermes for Lack of Fraudulent Intent; Fourth Circuit Affirms District Court’s Denial of Leave to File Amended Complaint Against Triangle Capital as Futile;...more
Delaware Court of Chancery Allows Stockholder Litigation to Proceed Against Viacom-CBS Over $30B Merger; Ninth Circuit Affirms Dismissal with Prejudice of Securities Class Action Against Tesla; Second Circuit Affirms...more
IN THIS ISSUE - Illinois Federal Judge Finds COVID-19, Not TD Ameritrade, Responsible for Losses; Supreme Court to Address Scope and Application of Basic Presumption of Classwide Reliance in Securities Class Actions;...more
On Wednesday, March 18, 2020, the Delaware Supreme Court overturned a Chancery Court decision that had prohibited Delaware corporations from adopting federal forum selection provisions for actions arising under the federal...more
On March 18th, the Delaware Supreme Court issued a key decision upholding the validity of corporate charter provisions that designate federal courts as the exclusive forum for the litigation of 1933 Act claims. This opinion...more
Despite political and economic uncertainties, markets and deal activity were resilient in 2019, and strong fundamentals remain in place heading into 2020. Companies continue to face a challenging litigation and enforcement...more
Corporate Governance and Securities Law Developments - Directors Can Be Held Liable for Failure to Oversee “Mission Critical” Regulatory Compliance - On October 1, the Delaware Court of Chancery refused to dismiss a...more
On October 1, 2019, the Delaware Court of Chancery applied the Delaware Supreme Court’s recent decision on Caremark board oversight claims in the context of operating in a highly regulated industry to allow derivative claims...more
This quarter’s issue includes summaries and associated court opinions of selected cases principally decided between May and August 2019....more