In a recent Chancery decision involving challenges to executive compensation, Eckert v. Hightower, C.A. No. 2024-0569-MTZ (Del. Ch. March 24, 2025), the court reiterates the basic standards that determine if allegations can survive a motion to dismiss when the charter includes an exculpatory clause which requires that a majority of directors have demonstrated a
Court of Chancery Updates
Chancery Recites Fundamental Case Management Principles
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
For those litigators who toil in the vineyards of pre-trial disputes over case management, and positioning issues for trial, a recent Chancery ruling is a useful tool that deserves a place in the litigator’s toolbox. The letter ruling captioned as In re Northwest Biotherapeutics, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, Cons. C.A. No. 2022-0193-JTL (Del. Ch.
Chancery Finds No Reason for Sears Controller’s Separate Appeal of Damages Ruling
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
Frank Reynolds, who has been covering Delaware corporate decisions for various national publications for over 40 years, prepared this article.
The Court of Chancery recently recommended that the Delaware Supreme Court deny a quick interlocutory appeal of its decision that a Sears Hometown & Outlet Stores investor is entitled to the full share of the…
Chancery Grants Motion to Expedite; Denies TRO Motion in Merger Challenge
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
A recent Chancery decision deserves a place in the toolbox of corporate litigators for its nuanced approach that highlights the difference in criteria between a Motion to Expedite Proceedings and the similar but materially different standard applied to a Motion for a TRO. In the matter styled The New York City Employees’ Retirement System v. …
Chancery lets suit over who caused Get Together Inc.’s break-up continue
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
Frank Reynolds, who has been covering Delaware corporate decisions for various national publications for over 40 years, prepared this article.
The Delaware Court of Chancery recently declined to dismiss claims that three venture capital firms disloyally caused the collapse of Get Together Inc. by hastily pulling out of the troubled social media start-up and allegedly…
Chancery Imposes Penalties for Spoliation in Facebook Litigation
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
A recent Delaware Court of Chancery decision provides useful guidance regarding the requirements to preserve evidence in litigation and the potential penalties for spoliation. In the matter styled: In re Facebook, Inc. Derivative Litigation, C.A. Cons. No. 2018-0307-JTL (Del. Ch. Jan. 21, 2025), the court addressed spoliation in litigation involving allegations that Facebook sold personal…
Chancery Rejects Claims Against Controller in Sale of Company
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
A recent Court of Chancery decision determined that the sale of a company initiated by the controller, a private equity fund which was also the largest equity holder in the company, did not run afoul of the business judgment rule. The decision in Manti Holdings, LLC v. The Carlyle Group Inc., C.A. No. 2020-0657-SG…
Chancery Lets Suit Over Fox “Stolen Election” Stories Proceed Due to CEO’s Influence
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
Frank Reynolds, who has been covering Delaware corporate decisions for various national publications for over 35 years, prepared this article
A recent Delaware Court of Chancery opinion clarifies how and when a majority of directors may lack independence from its CEO, and finds Rupert Murdoch’s financial or personal influence could have skewed the objectivity of…
Chancery Relies on Promissory Estoppel to Resolve LLC Ownership Dispute
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
Sean Brennecke, a partner in the Delaware office of Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, prepared this post.
In a limited post-trial opinion, Vice Chancellor Glasscock relied on the doctrine of promissory estoppel to hold that a person had an ownership in a Delaware LLC despite not being identified as an owner in an LLC’s formation…
Chancellor Provides Practice Tips and Unwritten Scheduling Guidelines
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Court of Chancery Updates
Two recent letter decisions provide practice tips from the Chancellor for Chancery practitioners regarding coordinating with non-Delaware lawyers working on Chancery cases, as well as nuances of contacting chambers for scheduling purposes. In the matter styled In re SwervePay Holdings Acquisition, LLC, C.A. No. 2021-0446-KSJM (Del. Ch. Oct. 21, 2024), the court provided instruction…