In this week’s New York Business Divorce, we tackle one of the most spectacular and well-publicized business falling-outs of modern times: Michael D. Cohen’s departure from the Trump Organization LLC, his resulting criminal conviction, and his cooperation with the Federal Government’s various investigations into activities surrounding former President Trump J. Trump. As an alleged former officer of the Trump Organization, Cohen sued the company for indemnification under its operating agreement for millions of dollars in legal fees resulting from the sprawling array of civil, administrative, and criminal proceedings against him. Learn how Cohen’s claims were resolved in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading The Outer Limits of LLC Indemnification: Michael Cohen v Trump Organization

In a decision handed down last week, an upstate appellate panel upheld a partnership dissolution complaint not only seeking to enforce an oral partnership agreement for a business that operates an apple tree farm, but also claiming as partnership property the 40-acre farm acquired by the defendant years earlier. Learn more in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Betting the Farm On An Oral Partnership Agreement

In this week’s New York Business Divorce, we tackle two important legal issues for LLC owners. First, the circumstances in which an upon-death membership interest transfer provision in an unsigned, non-final operating agreement may be enforced. Second, whether a membership interest transfer provision in an operating agreement trumps a conflicting bequest in a last will and testament.
Continue Reading Unsigned, Non-Final Operating Agreement Trumps Conflicting Testamentary Bequest of LLC Interest

You may be surprised to learn that, according to a ruling last month in Shapiro v Ettenson, a minority member of a New York LLC that initially had no written operating agreement is bound by a written operating agreement subsequently adopted by the majority members, notwithstanding the minority member’s refusal to sign the agreement. Get the detailed story in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading Can LLC Agreement Be Enforced Against Member Who Doesn’t Sign It?

Unlike many states including Delaware, whose statutes authorize oral LLC agreements, New York’s LLC Law mandates a written operating agreement. A recent decision by the Appellate Division, First Department, permitting a claim based on an alleged oral LLC agreement to go forward, prompts examination of the pros and cons of oral LLC agreements, in this week’s New York Business Divorce.
Continue Reading The Oral LLC Agreement: Boon or Bane?

In an important ruling yesterday, the Delaware Supreme Court upheld application of the statute of frauds to oral LLC operating agreements. Today’s posting links to Professor Larry Ribstein’s analysis.

Continue Reading Delaware Supreme Court Upholds Application of Statute of Frauds to Oral LLC Operating Agreements

The Delaware Court of Chancery last week issued a ruling of first impression applying the statute of frauds to invalidate an alleged oral LLC operating agreement. Will the ruling have any impact on New York LLCs? Find out in this week’s New York Business Divorce.

Continue Reading Delaware Court Applies Statute of Frauds to LLC Operating Agreement