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Articles Posted in Fiduciary Duties

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Equitable Accounting Opens the Black Box of Business Finances

An equitable accounting is a cause of action that requires those in control of the finances of a closely held business to account for their  use of the money. An accounting a two-stage process.  First the controlling party must render an account of how it used the assets of the…

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When Are Limited Liability Companies Required to Distribute Profits?

There is no statutory right to receive a distribution of profits from a limited liability company before it dissolves and winds up its affairs.  Distributions before then are discretionary. Profit distributions are in the discretion of the majority members or commonly in the discretion of the managers of the limited…

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No Foul in Dissociated LLC Member’s Refusal to Cooperate in PPP Loan

A ‘passive’ member with no rights or responsibilities in the management of a limited liability company cannot be held liable for refusing to participate in a PPP loan application. Dissociated LLC members with no management rights can withhold their voluntary consent to proposed actions. The waiver of fiduciary duties in…

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The Equitable Value of an Oppressed Minority Shareholder’s Interest

A New Jersey Court conducing the valuation of a business may use any technique or method generally acceptable in the financial community. The application of a minority discount is a question of law, but likely will be based on the factual determinations of the court about the culpability of the…

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Share Purchase for $500,000 Required in Accounting Firm Breakup

Accounting firm is compelled to repurchase the equity of departing shareholder who moved practice to competitor firm. A shareholder agreement that is integrated and intended to be the parties’ complete agreement may preclude a claim for breach of corporate by-laws. A shareholder in an accounting firm organized as a professional…

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Estate Plan Sows Father and Son Business Divorce

Managers of a limited liability company owe to the company fiduciary duties of loyalty and care, must act in good faith, and refrain from reckless or unlawful conduct. A member who seeks information about a manager-managed limited liability company must state the purpose for the request under the Uniform Limited…

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Surrender of Membership Certificates Was Dissociation from LLC

A limited liability company member withdraws by voluntary dissociation, which occurs when the company has notice of his ‘express will” to withdraw.  Voluntary dissociation terminates management rights, but not economic rights. A court may refuse relief on a claim when the plaintiff has acted with unclean hands with regard to…

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Controlling Shareholders owe Fiduciary Duties to Minority Members

The controlling shareholders of a corporation owe fiduciary duties to the minority shareholders by virtue of their ability to control the affairs of the company. Even when a merger complies with statutory requirements, where it benefits the controlling shareholders and does not have an apparent business purpose, it must also…

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Business Judgment Rule Trumps Oppression; Minority Shareholder Entitled to Attorney’s Fees in Defense of Counterclaim

  The business judgment rule insulates decisions made in good faith and in the best interests of the enterprise from being subject to judicial second guessing ordinary business decisions Majority shareholders that failed to pay dividends to a non-employee minority shareholders in valid exercise of business judgment rule did not…

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