Bar Exam Toolbox Podcast Episode 167: Listen and Learn -- Direct and Derivative Actions (Corporations)
PODCAST: Williams Mullen GovCon Perspectives - Why Was My SWaM Certification Denied, and What Can I Do?
Episode 10: The Marketability Discount Revisited: Interview with Greg Barber
In a costly episode of Aaron Sorkin’s adage that “decisions are made by those who show up,” the majority shareholder in a pair of family-controlled oil and gas companies learned of about 850,000 reasons why attendance can be...more
“It all started when the distributions stopped.” In my travels as a business divorce litigator, I’ve seen many disputes between LLC co-owners that begin with that message. A minority owner is content to remain a “silent...more
Conflicts between co-owners in private companies are common, but the vast majority are worked out through dialogue and negotiation. When these internal conflicts cannot be resolved, however, minority investors may file suit...more
Key Takeaways - On 3 July 2024, the Council of the European Union (the “EU Council”) published its revised Update of the EU Best Practices for the effective implementation of restrictive measures (“Best Practices”).This...more
On June 27, 2024, in Matrix Parent, Inc., et al. v. Audax Management Company, et al., the Delaware Superior Court denied Audax’s motion to dismiss, allowing to proceed H.I.G. Capital’s fraud claims in connection with its...more
Hindsight can be a wonderful thing, especially if hard-earned lessons are adopted by others who are willing to learn from past mistakes. When private company owners and investors share with me some of the wisdom they have...more
Minnesota has a unique statute that allows minority shareholders in a closely held corporation to initiate an action for a buy-out of their interests. Minn. Stat. § 302A.751, subdivision 2. Under the Minnesota Business...more
A fully informed stockholder vote can help protect a company and its directors from lawsuits challenging a transaction. Under Delaware law, board decisions may enjoy deference under the business judgment rule where...more
Business owners of private companies invest huge amounts of time and resources in their business, which may include the bulk of their financial capital. For owners who do not want most of their net worth to remain tied up in...more
Private company owners strive for success but getting there is not an easy or straight path. I have been working closely with business owners now for more than 40 years, and I have been reflecting on the key character traits...more
In the case of TripAdvisor Inc., the Delaware Court of Chancery held that the corporation’s decision to reincorporate in Nevada is subject to the entire fairness standard. The court found that, based on the facts pled,...more
Most institutions in our society make decisions upon the consent of the majority, from legislatures passing important bills to families deciding on what movie to watch on movie night. ...more
The Delaware Chancery Court invalidated a substantial equity award to Elon Musk – the largest in history. It applied the entire fairness test instead of the more deferential business judgment rule, finding that Musk...more
More often than not, the centerpiece of an intra-owner business dispute is a claim that those in control of the business breached their fiduciary duties to the company or the minority owners. While often easy to assert, the...more
[co-author: Mourice Okon] a) Types of business entities in Kenya - Kenya has 5 main types of business entities that is, sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability partnerships, companies, non-governmental...more
Majority owners of private companies have many important decisions to make, but one of their most impactful will be selecting the people to serve as the company’s managers (for LLCs) or as directors on its board (for...more
In matters of corporate divorce, deadlock, majority oppression, or usurpation of corporate opportunities are all well-tread grounds for disputes between co-owners of closely held entities. These disputes often culminate in...more
As the year winds down, majority owners can hit the ground running in the new year if they adopt business resolutions that motivate their executive group and create the potential for the company to reach new heights. The...more
The one who has the gold often makes all the rules, but the majority owner of a private company who has minority partners in the business does not have complete freedom, because majority owners owe duties that apply to their...more
In the recent Court of Appeal judgment in DnaNudge Limited v. Ventura Capital GP Limited [2023] EWCA Civ 1142, the court confirmed that a provision of the company’s articles allowing for the conversion of Series A shares to...more
It may be a reflection of summer’s lazy days or a simmering frustration that has built up over time, but it is not uncommon for a majority owner or a minority investor in a private company to decide the time has come to...more
Successful private company owners often share the traits of having vision, passion and a strong sense of purpose. That does not mean that they govern their companies without having any disagreements with their minority...more
Private growth companies have ups and downs – only rocket ships tend to go straight up. Therefore, it can be difficult for an investor holding a minority stake in a private company to know whether a challenging time for the...more
The Israeli National Labor Court recently issued a ruling addressing a claim to “lift the corporate veil” in a dispute between two groups of shareholders in a company. The National Labor Court’s ruling did not allow the...more
When it comes to accounting firm partnership agreements, governance is a key component. In this article, we discuss various governance provisions to consider when drafting an accounting firm partnership agreement....more