2015

Surviving a dismissal motion in LLC dissolution cases can be affected by the form of the suit, i.e., whether brought as a special proceeding or as a plenary action. Find out more, and see how a dismissal motion played out in a recent decision by Manhattan Justice Ellen Coin, in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Surviving a Motion to Dismiss in LLC Dissolution Cases

Last week’s decision by a Manhattan appellate panel in Barone v. Sowers reaffirms its holding two years ago in Doyle v. Icon, LLC that a minority member of an LLC cannot solely rely on allegations of oppression by the majority member to survive a pretrial motion for dismissal of a dissolution claim. Learn more in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Oppression Claims Don’t Cut It in LLC Dissolution Cases

Equitable dissolution of LLCs may not sound familiar to business divorce mavens, but that could change after last week’s decision by Vice Chancellor Laster of the Delaware Chancery Court in a case involving the Tom James custom apparel company. Read more in this week’s New York Business Divorce. …
Continue Reading Delaware Chancery Court Endorses Equitable Dissolution of LLC

Can majority members of an LLC withdraw a dissolution claim, over two years into the case, for the purpose of enforcing against a minority member the LLC agreement’s non-compete provision which, by its terms, lapses upon dissolution? Find out in this week’s New York Business Divorce. …
Continue Reading Court Rebuffs Dissolution Withdrawal in Denying Enforcement of Non-Compete

The fascinating case of Mintz v Pazer, which was reported over a year ago featuring discussion of a “Quick Draw” buy-sell agreement, makes its second appearance in this week’s New York Business Divorce, this time highlighting a pair of recent decisions by Justice David Schmidt resolving disputes over the timing of appraisals and valuation date. …
Continue Reading Case Highlights Importance of Valuation Date in Buy-Sell Agreement

Do majority shareholders of a close corporation owe a fiduciary duty to a minority shareholder to make accurate financial disclosures to enable fair valuation of the latter’s shares for purposes of a voluntary buy-out? Find out in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Blurring the Lines Between Oppression, Duty of Disclosure, and Fiduciary Breach

Renowned business appraiser Chris Mercer has written a book called Unlocking Private Company Wealth that’s must reading for business owners and their advisors who should be concerned about wealth management and ownership transition for the closely held and family business. Read more in this week’s New York Business Divorce. …
Continue Reading Chris Mercer on Unlocking Private Company Wealth