The analysis, in the context of a post-merger dispute, of the nuances of an indemnification provision and whether or not escrow funds should be released was the subject of a recent Delaware Court of Chancery decision in Reddy v. 2nd Chance Treatment Centers, LLC, C.A. NO. 2024-0193-SKR (Del. Ch., Dec. 12, 2024). Sitting by
Chancery Enforces Release as Condition Precedent to Severance Payments
In a recent decision, the Delaware Court of Chancery determined that an agreement that required a release to be signed as a condition precedent to receiving severance benefits was enforceable, and that the failure to sign the release was a defense to the payment of severance benefits. An important aspect of this decision was that
Chancery Allows Claims for Refusal to Enable Exercise of Options
A recent Court of Chancery decision allowed claims to proceed for the refusal to enable the seller of a business to exercise options in the new company. In Osios LLC v. Tiptree, Inc., C.A. No. 2023-0589-NAC (Del. Ch. June 12, 2024), the court described a factual background in which the buyers of a
Chancery Addresses Claims that Buyer of Business Diverted New Deals to Exclude Milestone Targets
The Delaware Court of Chancery recently addressed a litany of claims that the buyer of a business breached its contractual and fiduciary duties by diverting new deals that deprived the sellers from reaching milestones in the purchaser’s new entity that would have triggered increased value.
Supreme Court Clarifies Limits of Judicial Equitable Review of LLC Agreements
The Delaware Supreme Court issued a momentous decision recently that should be read by all those who want to know the latest iteration of Delaware law on the limits of judicial equitable review of LLC Agreements.
Key Issue Addressed
In Holifield v. XRI Investment Holdings LLC, Del. Supr., No. 407, 2022 (Sept. 7, 2023)
18th Annual Review of Key Delaware Corporate and Commercial Decisions
By: Francis G.X. Pileggi* and Sean M. Brennecke**
Courtesy of the Delaware Business Court Insider, which published this article in two parts (it’s 34-pages long), this is our annual review of key Delaware corporate and commercial decisions.
This year’s list focuses, with some exceptions, on the unsung heroes among the many decisions that have
Chancery Addresses Subject Matter Jurisdiction and Basic Contract Principles
A recent Court of Chancery decision provides a few basic but important statements of Delaware law that are useful for the toolbox of corporate and commercial litigators. In Klein v. ECG Topco Holding, LLC, C.A. No. 2021-0701-LWW (Del. Ch. July 8, 2022), the Court pithily decides issues that arose in the context of the
Supreme Court Decides Important Contract Dispute in Sale of Business
The recent Delaware Supreme Court decision in AB Stable VIII LLC v. MAPS Hotels and Resorts One LLC, Del. Supr., No. 71, 2021 (Dec. 8, 2021), has already been the subject of many articles in the few days since it was released because it is the first definitive pronouncement by Delaware’s High Court on
Chancery Provides Guidelines for Non-Delaware Lawyers Issuing Formal Delaware Legal Opinion Letters
The Delaware Court of Chancery published a magnum opus a few days ago that should be required reading for all lawyers who prepare formal legal opinion letters for clients–and whose behavior is subject to review by the Delaware courts.
In Bandera Master Fund LP v. Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP, C.A. No. 2018-0372-VCL (Del. Ch.
Chancery Clarifies Standard for Proportional Indemnification of Corporate Directors and Officers
The recent Delaware Court of Chancery opinion in Evans v. Avande, Inc., C.A. No. 2018-0454-LWW (Del. Ch. Sept. 23, 2021), provided much needed clarification for the rather unsettled nuance of indemnification under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regarding when indemnification can be proportionate to the extent that the party seeking