A decision last month by Justice Carolyn Demarest in Mizrahi v. Cohen adds to the short but growing list of LLC dissolution cases in which courts have ordered equitable buy-outs notwithstanding the absence of enabling provision in the LLC agreement. This week’s New York Business Divorce has this important story.
Continue Reading Court Decision Boosts Equitable Buy-Out Remedy in LLC Dissolution Case
Delaware Case Provides Drafting Lesson for “Phantom” Income Provision in Buy-Out Agreement
By Peter A. Mahler on
A recent Delaware Chancery Court decision teaches an important lesson for drafters of buy-out agreements involving pass-through entities and taxes on “phantom” income allocated to a former owner. Learn more in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
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Pappas Saga Ends, Court of Appeals Upholds Fiduciary Waiver in LLC Buy-Out Agreement
By Peter A. Mahler on
Last week’s Court of Appeals decision in Pappas v. Tzolis completes a trilogy of recent decisions by that court dismissing fiduciary breach claims by disappointed sellers concerning buy-out agreements that contain releases or waivers of fiduciary duty. Learn more in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Pappas Saga Ends, Court of Appeals Upholds Fiduciary Waiver in LLC Buy-Out Agreement
Delaware Supreme Court Reboots Question of LLC Manager’s Fiduciary Duties
By Peter A. Mahler on
Last week the Delaware Supreme Court ruled in the Auriga Capital v. Gatz case, previously covered in this blog, affirming on contract grounds Chancellor Leo Strine’s finding of fiduciary breach by an LLC manager but dismissing as dicta his analysis that Delaware LLC managers owe traditional default duties of loyalty and care unless eliminated or modified in the operating agreement. It’s important, and it’s in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
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LLC Dissolution Case Tests Limits of Operating Agreement’s Purpose Clause
By Peter A. Mahler on
The purpose clause in an LLC’s operating agreement can be an important factor in judicial dissolution cases, as illustrated in Justice Denise Sher’s recent decision in Vella v. JP&F Realty Holdings, LLC. This week’s New York Business Divorce has the story.
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Does Waiver Trump Fiduciary Duty? Court of Appeals Hears Argument in Pappas v. Tzolis
By Peter A. Mahler on
The New York Court of Appeals heard oral argument this month of an appeal from the Appellate Division, First Department’s split decision in Pappas v. Tzolis pitting fiduciary duty against contractual waiver in the context of an intra-member buy-out of LLC membership interests. This week’s New York Business Divorce provides highlights of the oral argument and links to the argument’s webcast, the parties’ briefs, and other background materials. …
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Too Late Gets Too Little: LLC Minority Member Fails to Block Merger, Must Accept $465 Buy-Out
By Peter A. Mahler on
The historic Bulova watchcase factory in picturesque Sag Harbor, NY, is the focus of a legal battle between co-developers that led to a decision earlier this month upholding a merger that left one of the developers in the cold, holding a check for $465.60 for its interest. Read more in this week’s New York Business Divorce. …
Continue Reading Too Late Gets Too Little: LLC Minority Member Fails to Block Merger, Must Accept $465 Buy-Out
New Jersey Adopts Revised LLC Act Authorizing Dissolution for Minority Oppression
By Peter A. Mahler on
New Jersey recently became the eighth state to adopt the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act including a new provision authorizing judicial dissolution of LLCs on the ground of oppressive acts by the controllling managers or members and also providing a statutory buy-out remedy, much like the dissolution statutes governing close corporations. For more on the new statute’s background, its provisions, and the surrounding policy debate, read this week’s New York Business Divorce.
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Court Rejects Marketability Discount in LLC Fair Value Case
By Peter A. Mahler on
In the second of two posts on the recent post-trial decision in Chiu v. Chiu, involving the disputed ownership of a single-asset real estate holding company, this week’s New York Business Divorce focuses on the court’s rejection of a discount for lack of marketability in determining the fair value of the withdrawing member’s 10% interest.
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Court Recasts Advances as Capital Contributions in Determining LLC Members’ Ownership Percentages
By Peter A. Mahler on
This week’s New York Business Divorce revisits the fascinating case of Chiu v. Chiu on the occasion of a post-trial decision by Justice Allan Weiss in this long-running battle between two brothers over the ownership and valuation of a real estate holding company. Don’t miss it!
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Continue Reading Court Recasts Advances as Capital Contributions in Determining LLC Members’ Ownership Percentages