Stock transfer restrictions in closely held corporations are routinely upheld by courts. So are increases in authorized shares that treat existing shareholders uniformly. But sometimes, as in the case highlighted in this week’s New York Business Divorce, the combined effect of the two may breach duties owed by controllers to the minority.
Continue Reading Too Clever By Half? Court Permits Suit Challenging Share Increase Tied to Transfer Restrictions
October 2016
Once Opened, The Door to Judicial Dissolution and Buy-Out Is Hard to Close
By Peter A. Mahler on
The lesson of the case highlighted in this week’s New York Business Divorce is simple: Don’t file for dissolution under the shareholder oppression and looting statute unless you’re prepared for the opposing shareholders to elect to purchase your shares for fair value, because you may not be able to walk it back.
Continue Reading Once Opened, The Door to Judicial Dissolution and Buy-Out Is Hard to Close
Ruling Upholds Shareholder’s Right to Inspect Subsidiary’s Books and Records
By Peter A. Mahler on
Posted in Access to Books and Records
In a decision of apparent first impression in New York, an appellate panel last week upheld the common-law right of a shareholder to inspect the books and records of the corporation’s wholly-owned subsidiary. Get the full story in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Ruling Upholds Shareholder’s Right to Inspect Subsidiary’s Books and Records
The Elusive Surcharge in Dissolution Proceedings
By Peter A. Mahler on
New York’s statutes authorizing a judicial dissolution petition by oppressed minority shareholders, and granting respondents a corresponding right to elect to purchase the petitioner’s shares, include a provision for a “surcharge” upon controlling shareholders for wrongful dissipation or transfer of corporate assets. It’s a rarely litigated provision, as evidenced by a court decision last month which may be the first ever reported case in which a surcharge claim was upheld. Learn more in this week’s New York Business Divorce. …
Continue Reading The Elusive Surcharge in Dissolution Proceedings
Minority Oppression in LLCs: Interview With Professor Douglas Moll
By Peter A. Mahler on
Minority oppression in the LLC is drawing greater attention in the legal community as the proportion of business associations formed as LLCs continues to outstrip close corporations and partnerships. This week’s New York Business Divorce highlights and links to a Business Divorce Roundtable podcast interview with Professor Douglas Moll, one of the country’s leading authorities on minority oppression in the closely held business entities. …
Continue Reading Minority Oppression in LLCs: Interview With Professor Douglas Moll