Litigation developments: core M&A and corporate governance doctrines
Compliance Perspectives: Due Diligence and Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO)
The State of Delaware, home to a majority of the so-called “Fortune 500” corporations, has been the subject of a variety of criticisms relating to corporate governance, director and officer litigation risk, controlling...more
Several recent decisions in Delaware courts have driven a variety of companies to publicly initiate actual or threatened reincorporation out of Delaware. After fallout from these cases and corporate actions, Delaware...more
On March 25, 2025, the Delaware Governor, Matthew Meyer, signed into law Senate Bill 21 (“SB 21”) which amends Sections 144 and 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). SB 21 codifies (a) the process to...more
As discussed in Foley’s Corporate Governance Update last month, SB 21: Delaware Responds In The DExit Battle, the Delaware legislature has been moving quickly to ensure that Delaware remains the preeminent home of choice for...more
On March 2025, a sweeping reform of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) took effect. SB 21 codifies safe harbors for conflicted transactions, clarifies director independence standards, and significantly tightens...more
Our Securities Litigation and Securities Groups discuss the final version of Delaware’s SB 21 that brings the most impactful changes to Delaware corporate law in decades....more
The Delaware Legislature passed, and Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer signed on March 25, 2025, the landmark Senate Bill 21. Senate Bill 21 amends the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL") in significant ways, with broad...more
On March 25, 2025, the Governor of Delaware signed into law Senate Bill 21 (SB 21) which amends Sections 144 and 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL) to codify and clarify safe harbors for transactions involving...more
On March 25, 2025, the governor of Delaware signed into law Senate Bill 21, over much opposition from the plaintiffs’ bar and some academics. The bill, which amends Sections 144 and Section 220 of the Delaware General...more
On March 25, 2025, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed into law amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law (Amendments). In a February 28, 2025, client alert, we addressed the initial iteration of the Amendments, and...more
Last week, as noted in this detailed blog by Cooley’s Cydney Posner, the sweeping – and somewhat controversial – changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law were signed into law. Now, the new “safe harbor” provisions...more
Last week, Delaware approved legislation overhauling the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL). As detailed below, the amendments to the DGCL ease certain restrictions applicable to “conflicted controller” transactions, and...more
On March 25, 2025, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed into law Senate Bill 21, amending Sections 144 and 220 of Title 8 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL). The legislation responds to recent concerns over...more
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed Senate Bill 21 into law on March 26 this year. Setting aside the polarized rhetoric that occasioned the Bill’s proposal and journey through the approval process, it is significant – and...more
In an effort to maintain its status as the leading state for incorporation, Delaware has made historic and significant changes to its General Corporation Law (DGCL) that make it more difficult for shareholders to challenge...more
On Tuesday evening, following two hours of debate and five failed amendments, bipartisan Senate Bill 21 (“SB 21”) passed the Delaware House and was quickly signed by Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. SB 21, which, in part, was a...more
On March 25, 2025, Delaware enacted Senate Bill 21, which introduces significant changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law. The amendments put in place a statutory structure that provides guidance on the considerations,...more
On March 25, 2025, the Delaware legislature and Governor enacted landmark amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law that will have significant impacts for Delaware corporations and transaction planning. The...more
On January 21, 2025, the Delaware Supreme Court affirmed the Court of Chancery’s decision in In re Oracle Corp. Derivative Lit., finding that a less than 50% stockholder does not owe fiduciary duties absent evidence of either...more
On Monday, Delaware State Senator Bryan Townsend introduced Senate Bill 21 which would, among other things, statutorily define "controlling stockholder" and substantially change the rules governing the "cleansing" of...more
On February 17, 2025, Delaware’s legislative leaders and Governor announced landmark legislation and initiatives that would, if enacted into law, result in welcome and much-needed amendments to Delaware corporate law to...more
In this issue, we explore ongoing corporate law issues involving controlling stockholders, with significant decisions anticipated from the Delaware Supreme Court in 2025; the rise in litigation over earnout provisions in...more
In 2024, Delaware courts continued to address important areas of corporate law, particularly regarding controlling stockholders. Several of those high-profile decisions were decided at the trial level and are now on appeal....more
On March 15, 2022, Chancellor Kathaleen McCormick of the Delaware Court of Chancery ruled that the founder and former CEO of Mindbody Inc. (the “Company”) breached his fiduciary duties to stockholders in connection with the...more