In Barry Leistner v. Red Mud Enterprises LLC, C.A. No. 2023-0503-SEM (Del. Ch. Dec. 8, 2023), the Delaware Court of Chancery addressed Plaintiff Barry Leistner’s exceptions to a Magistrate’s Final Report that denied his books and records request regarding
Delaware Business Dispute Blog
Review of Business and Commercial Litigation in the State of Delaware and Beyond
The Delaware Business Dispute Blog, published by Carl D. Neff, focuses on legal issues related to Delaware corporate and partnership law. It covers topics such as Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) Section 220 books and records demands, stockholder rights and litigation, appraisal rights, corporate governance, partnership agreement disputes, valuation issues, and Delaware Court of Chancery decisions. The blog analyzes procedural and substantive aspects of corporate disputes, including amendments to Delaware statutes, court rulings on inspection rights, and practical implications for stockholders, founders, and corporate entities. It also addresses founder protection strategies and evolving governance structures through company growth stages.
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Summary of 2023 Amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law
By Carl D. Neff
On August 1, 2023, amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”) went into effect, simplifying processes for Delaware corporations to take specific corporate actions. The changes focus on authorizing certain stock splits and altering a corporation’s authorized shares.
Key…
Section 225 Board Composition Action Analyzed by Court of Chancery
By Carl D. Neff
In the decision of Barbey v. Cerego, Inc., C.A. No. 2022-0107-PAF (Del. Ch., Sept. 29, 2023), the Delaware Court of Chancery considered the proper constitution of a Delaware corporation’s board of directors under Section 225 of the Delaware General Corporation Law…
Delaware Supreme Court Rejects Confidentiality Restrictions of Section 220 Demand Inspection
By Carl D. Neff
In the decision of James Rivest v. Hauppauge Digital, Inc., No. 442, 2022 (Del. July 10, 2023), the Delaware Supreme Court considered the extent to which a Delaware corporation’s production of books and records under Section 220 of the…
Section 220 Inspection Demand to Investigate Merger Process Granted
By Carl D. Neff
Books and records inspection demands commonly arise in connection with a major transaction of a Delaware corporation, including a merger. The decision of Kosinski v. GGP, Inc., C.A. No. 2018-0540-KSJM (Del. Ch. Aug. 29, 2019) involved such a demand to…
Confidentiality Order Requirement in Delaware Books and Records Actions Clarified by Supreme Court
By Carl D. Neff
A question often arises as to whether a party making a books and records demand under 8 Del. C. § 220 must enter into a confidentiality agreement in order to inspect responsive documents of the corporation.
The Delaware Supreme Court,…
Delaware Courts Are Striking Overly Broad Non-Competes — Even In the Sale of a Business
By Carl D. Neff
Delaware, long viewed to be one of the most business-friendly jurisdictions in the country, has joined the ever-expanding list of jurisdictions that no longer give businesses the benefit of the doubt when it comes to restrictive covenants.
Partners Christina Bost…
Delaware Court of Chancery Grants in Part and Denies in Part Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss Direct and Derivative Claims
By Carl D. Neff
In the recent decision of Schoenmann v. Irvin, et al., C.A. No. 2021-0326-SG (Del. Ch. Jun. 2, 2022), the Delaware Court of Chancery denied in part and granted in part Defendants’ motion to dismiss Plaintiff’s direct and derivative claims…
Delaware Court of Chancery Invalidates Board’s Application of a Voting Limitation Pursuant to Company Charter
By Carl D. Neff
In the decision of Deann M. Totta, et al. v. CCSB Financial Corp., C.A. No. 2021-0173-KSJM (Del. Ch. May 31, 2022), the Court of Chancery held that the board of directors of Defendant, CCSB Financial Corp. (“CCSB”), misapplied a…
Delaware Court of Chancery Denies Plaintiff’s Request for Additional Books and Records in Section 220 Demand
By Carl D. Neff
In the recent decision of Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System v. Amazon.com, Inc., C.A. No. 2021-1484-LWW (Del. Ch. Jun. 1, 2022) (Mem. Op.), the Court of Chancery denied Plaintiff’s Section 220 request to demand additional inspection of Amazon’s…