An LLC’s managing member, who had “absolute discretion” under its operating agreement to act for the LLC, was found not to have misappropriated the LLC’s corporate opportunities, to the detriment of the other member. The facts as recited by the court address the LLC’s earlier effort to invest in a…
Articles Posted in Contract/Corporate
Being “Overwhelmed by Paperwork” Is Not Fraud
Plaintiffs sued alleging fraud in connection with a deed transfer. Plaintiffs claimed that defendant induced the deed transfer by misrepresenting the nature of the documents. Plaintiffs claimed that they thought they were undertaking a short sale when they actually transferred the property outright. The lower court agreed. In reversing, the…
Lender Entitled to Rely on “Facially Valid” Notarization
Private lender, in a series of loans, loaned an entity-borrower more than $6 million. The entity was comprised of a father, Michael Miller, and his son, Brandon Miller. While Michael borrowed the money, Michael had his secretary forge Brandon’s signature, which she then notarized. Michael died before the loans were…
Impossibility of Payment No Defense to Failure to Close
Plaintiff, who lives in China, went into contract to purchase a new condominium and associated parking space in New York. The contract contained no financing contingency. Plaintiff made the required deposit but did not provide funds to close. After the contract was signed, China implemented restrictions on money flows out…
Right to Set Breach of Contract Accrual Dates
Interesting article from Lowenstein Sandler about the interplay between the freedom to contract and the public policy considerations in setting statute of limitation accrual dates, and whether New York is losing out to Deleware as the better place to do business.
Fiduciary Relationship Supporting Constructive Trust Claim Not Undermined by Unclean Hands
Plaintiff borrowed more than a million dollars from defendant, in addition to using his funds, to form an LLC with which to buy a property. The LLC was in defendant’s name, however, pending plaintiff’s ability to obtain credit to hold the property on his own. When the time came for…
A “Reasonable Offer” Can Be Sufficiently Definite to Enforce an Agreement
An LLC member promised to accept “any terms” for the sale of the parties’ entity if another member would pay certain of his personal debts. That member would later renege and agree to a different deal from a second buyer. When that member also refused the terms of the LLC…
Unsigned Employment Contract Enforced
Plaintiff was induced to leave his current employment and start working at defendant’s agency. As part of the parties’ agreement, plaintiff was promised six months’ severance if terminated without cause. Plaintiff signed the agreement but, despite receiving an email from a board member welcoming him aboard, defendant did not sign…
Recent Case Asserting COVID-19 Defense Fails
While short on facts, a recent decision out of the Southern District rejected the defendants’ claim that their inability to pay on a consent judgment was due to COVID-19. The defendants did not deny liability, only that their payment should be excused because the virus and the circumstances rendered them…
Multiple Claims of Breach Dismissed as “Lacking Specificity”
Licensor sued a licensee for breaching an agreement to pay certain fees. In responding, the licensee counterclaimed for breach of the parties’ agreement. In doing so, it lumped together multiple allegations of breach into one cause of action but without detailing the specific contract provisions that the licensor violated. The…