In a case of first impression in Delaware, the Court of Chancery adopted the equitable doctrine of reverse veil-piercing1 in Manichaean Capital LLC v Exela Technologies Inc., a post-merger action to enforce an appraisal valuation judgment. The opinion, partially
Delaware Courts
The Delaware Courts blog, published by Snell & Wilmer, focuses on legal developments and case law from Delaware courts, particularly the Delaware Court of Chancery and Delaware Supreme Court. It covers topics such as corporate governance disputes, appraisal rights in mergers, LLC operating agreement interpretations, veil-piercing doctrines, fiduciary duties, indemnification provisions, and insurance coverage issues related to directors and officers. The blog analyzes significant rulings affecting business entities, shareholder rights, contractual obligations, and litigation strategies under Delaware law, providing insights into the application of statutory and common law principles in corporate and commercial contexts.
Blog Authors
Latest from Delaware Courts
Delaware Court of Chancery: Deadlock Can be Genuine Even When Unilaterally Orchestrated
A Delaware Court of Chancery case decided earlier this year provides some useful guidance on the interpretation of LLC agreements and what constitutes a “deadlock” under Delaware law. The case, Mehra v. Teller, involved a deadlock between co-managers of…
Sorting Through the Kettle of Fish: Delaware Supreme Court Enforces Contractual Provisions Limiting Liability to “Deliberate Fraud”
When determining whether to uphold an indemnification provision that carved out an exception for only deliberate fraud, the Delaware Supreme Court recently explained in Express Scripts, Inc. v. Bracket Holding Corp., ___ A.3d ___, 2021 WL 752744, at *1 (Del.
Delaware Supreme Court Holds That Fraud is Insurable
In a decision that is likely to reshape directors and officers (“D&O”) policies across the nation, the Delaware Supreme Court has held that fraudulent conduct by corporate officers and directors is insurable under Delaware law. RSUI Indemnity Company v. Murdock…
Officers Face Personal Liability for Steering a Sale of Columbia Pipeline to a Preferred Buyer
The Delaware Court of Chancery in In re Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc. Merger Litigation denied a motion to dismiss claims for fiduciary duty breach in the sale of Columbia Pipeline Group, Inc. (“Columbia”). The Court found that the plaintiff…
Court of Chancery finds that it lacks personal jurisdiction over employee in former company’s non-compete action
By Aleem Dhalla
Choice of law and choice of forum clauses in employment agreements are tricky business. Even though a Delaware LLC employer may think they have strong, iron-clad selection provisions in their employment agreements, the Delaware Court of Chancery may find otherwise,…
Court Finds that Seller Breached its Mergers and Acquisitions Interim Operating Covenant in Responding to COVID-19
On November 30, 2020, the Delaware Court of Chancery issued its decision in AB Stable VIII LLC v. Maps Hotels and Resorts One LLC et al., holding that the Seller had breached its covenant to operate in the ordinary course…
Tell Me Everything: How Much Information Must a Shareholder Provide to a Corporation to Inspect Books and Records Under Section 220?
By Joseph Adams
The Supreme Court of Delaware recently affirmed a decision by the Court of Chancery that ordered a corporation to produce certain books and records to a shareholder, and which granted leave to the shareholder to take a corporate representative deposition…
Chancery Rules on Equitable Fee Shifting and Indemnity Provisions in Support of Fee Shifting
On December 31, 2020, Vice Chancellor Glasscock issued an opinion regarding what he called a “novel issue” arising from cross motions for fees. The motions were supported by a contractual prevailing party fee provision which also provided for an equitable…
Delaware Bankruptcy Court Provides Guidance on the Scope of The Automatic Stay
On December 3, 2020, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware entered an opinion in In re Extraction Oil & Gas, Inc., Case No. 20-11548 (CSS), holding that two entities (the “State Court Plaintiffs”) violated the…