This 6th annual edition of Summer Shorts presents brief commentary on three decisions of interest in business divorce cases, including a dispute among LLP partners over the reduction of one partner’s interest; disqualification of counsel in an LLC dissolution case; and a Delaware books-and-records case involving phantom stock.
Continue Reading Summer Shorts: Partnership Interest Reduction and Other Recent Decisions of Interest

Manhattan Commercial Division Justice Anil Singh’s recent decision in Saleeby v Remco Maintenance teaches some valuable lessons about how not to draft stock or membership interest redemption provisions in executive employment agreements. It’s in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Good Faith Trumps Sole Discretion in LLC Agreement’s Repurchase Provision

The Delaware Court of Chancery plays an outsized role not only in the public company arena, but also in the field of business divorce and other disputes among co-owners of closely held corporations, partnerships, and LLCs. This week’s New York Business Divorce sets the stage and invites you to listen to a podcast interview of Delaware lawyers Kurt Heyman and Pete Ladig discussing litigation of business divorce cases in the Delaware Chancery Court.
Continue Reading Business Divorce, Delaware Style

Deadlock in LLCs with two equal members can be a major problem and trigger for dissolution proceedings, which is why it’s crucial to consider deadlock avoidance provisions in the operating agreement. This week’s New York Business Divorce, and a related podcast interview on the Business Divorce Roundtable, features noted LLC expert and attorney John Cunningham on the topic of LLC deadlock and how to avoid it.
Continue Reading John Cunningham on Avoiding Deadlock in Two-Member LLCs

Is the contractual freedom associated with LLC statutory default rules being used to promote efficiencies or opportunistically by LLC controllers at the expense of vulnerable LLC members? That’s the subject of a study and article by Professor Peter Molk highlighted in this week’s New York Business Divorce and accompanying interview of Professor Molk on the Business Divorce Roundtable podcast.
Continue Reading Professor Peter Molk’s Groundbreaking Study of How LLC Owners Contract Around Default Statutory Protections

The death and testamentary bequests of the majority member of a family-owned LLC set the stage for a legal contest over the executor’s standing to enforce dissolution and have himself appointed as receiver to wind up the LLC’s affairs. This week’s New York Business Divorce has the story.
Continue Reading Executor of Deceased Majority Member Appointed Receiver to Wind Up LLC

This week’s New York Business Divorce highlights a trio of recent decisions involving LLC disputes concerning the membership rights of the estate of a deceased member, the intended purpose of the LLC as the basis for a dissolution claim, and the power to expel a member.
Continue Reading LLC Case Notes: Member Expulsion, Withdrawal, and LLC Purpose

An unusual, two-state battle between 50-50 owners of a New York LLC led to a decision earlier this month by Justice Kornreich dismissing a dissolution petition and denying injunctive relief following a New Jersey judge’s order appointing a fifth Director to break a Board deadlock. This week’s New York Business Divorce has the story.
Continue Reading Court Dismisses Dissolution Petition Amidst Multi-Jurisdictional Battle for Control of LLC

A decision last month by Justice Robert Bruno foiled a convicted felon’s attempt to assign to his wife his 50% membership interest in two realty holding LLCs. Find out more in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading How Good is Your Operating Agreement’s Anti-Assignment Clause?