For those readers who follow the many Chancery decisions highlighted on these pages regarding advancement for corporate officers and directors, the recent Court of Chancery decision in Nielsen v. EBTH Inc., C.A. No. 2019-0164-MTZ (Del. Ch. Sept. 30, 2019), can be added to the long line of cases that reject an argument that
advancement
Advancement Granted for Post-Termination Use of Confidential Information
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Chancery Court Updates
The recent Delaware Chancery Court opinion in Ephrat v. medCPU, Inc., C.A. No. 2018-0052-MTZ (Del. Ch. June 26, 2019), remains noteworthy for two reasons, notwithstanding the large number of advancement decisions interpreting DGCL Section 145 appearing on these pages over the last 14 years:
(1) It provides an anthology of prior Delaware decisions granting…
Chancery Advancement Ruling Recites Basic Principles and Nuances
By Francis Pileggi on
Adding to the multitude of Delaware decisions featured on these pages involving the right of corporate directors and officers to advancement of their fees incurred to defend claims against them, pursuant to DGCL Section 145, or by agreement, we offer highlights of Sider v. Hertz Global Holdings, C.A. No. 2019-0237-KSJM, Order (Del. Ch. June 17…
Mid-Year Review of Key Delaware Corporate and Commercial Decisions
Over the last 14 years that I have published this blog, I have compiled an annual review with a list of key Delaware corporate and commercial decisions that have widespread utility to practitioners, especially those court decisions that are not widely covered by other legal publications or the mainstream press. On a few occasions, I…
Chancery Orders Mandatory Indemnification per DGCL Section 145(c)
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Chancery Court Updates
A recent Delaware Court of Chancery decision ordered mandatory indemnification based on success in underlying litigation pursuant to DGCL § 145(c), in the matter styled: Brown v. Rite Aid Corporation, C.A. No. 2017-0480-MTZ (Del. Ch. May 24, 2019).
Issue Addressed: Whether dismissal of the underlying litigation based on a technical argument was “success” for …
Chancery Grants Advancement on Counterclaims
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Chancery Court Updates
A recent Delaware Court of Chancery bench ruling granted advancement in connection with defensive counterclaims against a former officer and director. In Dodelson v. AC Hold Co., Inc., C.A. No. 2019-0029-SG (transcript) (Del. Ch. May 21, 2019), the court interpreted the provisions of a charter with advancement provisions, and reasoned that advancement was warranted.
An …
Chancery Denies Indemnification Claim Seeking Recoupment of Advancement
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Chancery Court Updates
A recent Court of Chancery decision rejected an attempt to recoup advancement based on the terms of an indemnification clause. See Computer Sciences Corporation v. Pulier, C.A. No. 11011-CB (Del. Ch. May 21, 2019), for this recurring issue in Delaware corporate and commercial litigation.
Issue Addressed: May a company recoup, via an indemnification …
Chancery Applies Corporate Advancement Case Law to LLC Context
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Chancery Court Updates
A recent Delaware Court of Chancery decision interpreted the advancement provisions of an LLC Agreement by applying case law interpreting DGCL Section 145 in the corporate context. In Freeman Family LLC v. Park Avenue Landing LLC, C.A. No. 2018-0683-TMR (Del. Ch. Apr. 30, 2019), the court reviewed the applicability of “defined phrases” that are familiar …
Advancement for Counterclaims Granted, With Success Fee, Despite Withdraw of Covered Claim
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Chancery Court Updates
A recent transcript ruling by the Delaware Court of Chancery in Gasgarth v. TVP Investments, LLC, C.A. No. 2018-0621-JTL, (transcript ruling)(Del. Ch. Dec. 7, 2018), explained that the right to advancement was not extinguished by an amendment of a counterclaim to specifically withdraw breaches of fiduciary duty counterclaims and remove factual allegations relating to the…
Chancery Applies Fitracks Procedures to Challenged Advancement Award
By Francis Pileggi on
Posted in Chancery Court Updates
Last month, in a comprehensive advancement decision captioned White v. Curo Texas Holdings, LLC, C.A. No. 12369-VCL (Del. Ch. Feb. 21, 2017), the Delaware Court of Chancery applied what has become known in Delaware as the “Fitracks Procedures” to determine the appropriate amount of an advancement award when the exact amount of…