The widely-acclaimed corporate law scholar, and friend of this blog, Prof. Stephen Bainbridge, whose prolific scholarship is cited in Delaware court decisions on corporate law, has penned a brief essay on the titular topic in light of a recent Delaware Court of Chancery opinion by Vice Chancellor Laster styled United Food & Comm. Workers Union
demand futility
Delaware Supreme Court won’t restart Uber investor suit over self-driving car company deal
This post was prepared by Frank Reynolds, who has been following Delaware corporate law, and writing about it for various legal publications, for over 30 years.
The Delaware Supreme Court has affirmed the dismissal of a shareholder’s suit against Uber Technologies Inc.’s directors who approved their CEO’s “flawed” purchase of a self-driving car developer run…
Delaware Supreme Court Addresses Independence of Directors
A recent Delaware Supreme Court opinion addressed the independence and disinterestedness of corporate directors in the context of adequately pleading pre-suit demand futility as a prerequisite for pursuing a derivative claim. In Marchand v. Barnhill (Del. June 19, 2019), the court reversed the Court of Chancery’s dismissal of the case for failure to establish demand…
Key 2013 Delaware Corporate and Commercial Decisions
Top Ten 2013 Delaware Corporate and Commercial Decisions
By: Francis G.X. Pileggi and Kevin F. Brady
This is our ninth annual review of key Delaware corporate and commercial decisions. During 2013, we reviewed and summarized over 200 decisions from Delaware’s Supreme Court and Court of Chancery on corporate and commercial issues. Among the decisions with…
Chancery Addresses State Law Insider Trading Claim for Second Time in Two Weeks
In Silverberg v. Gold, et al., C.A. 7646-VCP (Dec. 31, 2013), the Court of Chancery denied defendants’ motion to dismiss a derivative action (for failure to make demand) alleging a breach of fiduciary duty based on insider trading against the directors of Dendreon Corporation, a biotechnology company which had only one commercially…
Chancery Allows Claim for Breach of Fiduciary Duty for Approval of Stock Options in Violation of Stock Option Plan
Pfeiffer v. Leedle, C.A. No. 7831-VCP (Del. Ch. Nov. 8, 2013).
Issue Addressed: Whether the approval of stock option grants that exceeded the maximum number of stock options allowed under the stock incentive plan was the basis for a breach of fiduciary duty claim against both the board that approved it and the…
Supreme Court Reverses Chancery on Collateral Estoppel/Demand Futility and Section 220 Issues
Pyott v. Louisiana Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System, No. 380, 2012 (Del. Supr., April 4, 2013)
Issues Addressed: (1) Whether or not a prior ruling by a California court dismissing a derivative suit served as a bar to subsequent Delaware derivative suits; and (2) Whether the failure to use Section 220 before filing suit…
Chancery Addresses Right to Direct Claim for Dilution of Minority Shareholders
Carsanaro v. Bloodhound Technologies, Inc., C.A. No. 7301-VCP (Del. Ch. March 15, 2013).
This 76-page Chancery decision addresses issues that include the following: (1) when a claim for dilution of minority shares can be pursued directly instead of, or in addition to, derivately; (2) restrictions imposed by DGCL Section 160 on the right to redeem…
Key Delaware Corporate and Commercial Decisions in 2012
Noteworthy 2012 Corporate and Commercial Decisions from Delaware’s Supreme Court and Court of Chancery.
By: Francis G.X. Pileggi and Kevin F. Brady.
Introduction
This is the eighth year that we are providing an annual review of key Delaware corporate and commercial decisions. During 2012, we reviewed and summarized over 200 decisions from Delaware’s Supreme Court…
Chancery Finds Inadequate Representation by Derivative Plaintiff; Dismisses Complaint with Prejudice
South v. Baker, C.A. No. 7294-VCL (Del. Ch. Sept. 25, 2012).
Issues Addressed: This decision is a candidate for inclusion in the pantheon of iconic Delaware Court of Chancery opinions addressing the following issues: (1) When derivative plaintiffs and their counsel will be presumptively found to provide inadequate representation resulting in the complaint’s…