This appeal in a California court involved a dispute over an appraisal of the plaintiffs’ 15% interest in a grocery store the defendant operated. The plaintiffs alleged that the award of the superior court was obtained by fraud and that the arbitrator prejudiced their rights.
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In re Aerogroup International, Inc.
Bankruptcy court performs allocation analysis to divide proceeds from section 363 asset sale between two competing lenders, finding debtor’s intellectual property is most valuable asset; court notes that, at time of sale, debtor was neither healthy going concern nor subject of forced liquidation.
Kress v. United States
In gift tax case requiring valuation of minority shares in S corporation, district court accepts application, by all experts, of C corp-level tax rate to company’s earnings; court, with minor DLOM adjustment, credits valuations by taxpayers’ expert, noting his market approach is “the most sound.”
Brundle v. Wilmington Trust N.A. (III)
In key ESOP case, 4th Circuit affirms liability and damages findings against ESOP trustee; court says trustee’s reliance on ESOP appraiser’s contemporaneous valuation was not “reasonably justified”; district court used correct measure of damages and justifiable methodology, 4th Circuit finds.
4th Circuit Says Record Supports Liability and Damages Findings Against ESOP Trustee
In key ESOP case, 4th Circuit affirms liability and damages findings against ESOP trustee; court says trustee’s reliance on ESOP appraiser’s contemporaneous valuation was not “reasonably justified”; district court used correct measure of damages and justifiable methodology, 4th Circuit finds.
Marroquin v. Marroquin
Appeals court upholds trial court’s valuation of husband’s vending machine business, finding this one-person operation is akin to sole proprietorship in which any goodwill is attributable to husband’s personal efforts and reputation for competency; court says goodwill is not a marital asset.
No Enterprise Goodwill in One-Person Business, Utah Appeals Court Confirms
Appeals court upholds trial court’s valuation of husband’s vending machine business, finding this one-person operation is akin to sole proprietorship in which any goodwill is attributable to husband’s personal efforts and reputation for competency; court says goodwill is not a marital asset.
Court Admits Unjust Enrichment Damages Based on Profit Projections
In Daubert case centering on misappropriation of trade secrets, court says plaintiff expert’s valuation of trade secrets based on defense projections of sales and profits derived from offending product is admissible; defendant failed to show this approach to determine asset’s value is improper.
Grove US LLC v. Sany America Inc.
In Daubert case centering on misappropriation of trade secrets, court says plaintiff expert’s valuation of trade secrets based on defense projections of sales and profits derived from offending product is admissible; defendant failed to show this approach to determine asset’s value is improper.
Galasso v. Cobleskill Stone Products
New York appellate division upholds the trial court’s order to disclose a valuation report, finding the appraisal was relevant to the litigation and done for estate tax purposes and therefore was not “of a legal character”; the attorney-client privilege does not apply, court says.
Court Explains Why Valuation Report Is Discoverable
New York appellate division upholds the trial court’s order to disclose a valuation report, finding the appraisal was relevant to the litigation and done for estate tax purposes and therefore was not “of a legal character”; the attorney-client privilege does not apply, court says.
Kendall Hoyd & Silver v. Trussway Holdings
Delaware Court of Chancery finds DCF analysis is the best way to achieve fair value in a statutory appraisal case arising out of a contested merger; court’s analysis leans heavily on company expert’s analysis regarding contested inputs, including projections, beta, and terminal value.
Court Chooses DCF to Determine Fair Value in ‘Straightforward’ Appraisal Case
Delaware Court of Chancery finds DCF analysis is the best way to achieve fair value in a statutory appraisal case arising out of a contested merger; court’s analysis leans heavily on company expert’s analysis regarding contested inputs, including projections, beta, and terminal value.
Pratt’s Stats/DealStats Market Analysis Survives Appeal by Owner Spouse
Appellate court finds no error in trial court’s adoption of market-based value determination by husband’s expert; expert acknowledged this was not the preferred method to value the small company, but company’s problematic financials and uncooperative attitude “compelled” use of this approach.
Court Says ‘Fair Value’ Under State Shareholder Oppression Law Precludes Discounts
In shareholder oppression suit, court clarifies meaning of “fair value” under applicable statutory framework; court cautions not to conflate “fair value” with “fair market value”; in drafting statute, state legislature explicitly and implicitly conveys its rejection of discounting, court says.
Kolwe v. Civil and Structural Engineers, Inc.
In shareholder oppression suit, court clarifies meaning of “fair value” under applicable statutory framework; court cautions not to conflate “fair value” with “fair market value”; in drafting statute, state legislature explicitly and implicitly conveys its rejection of discounting, court says.
Hultz v. Kuhn
Appellate court finds no error in trial court’s adoption of market-based value determination by husband’s expert; expert acknowledged this was not the preferred method to value the small company, but company’s problematic financials and uncooperative attitude “compelled” use of this approach.
Zausch v. Schnakenburg
Appeals court upholds trial court’s upward adjustment of father’s child support obligation based on a significant improvement in his economic circumstances; trial court followed applicable case law when calculating income related to father’s minority interests in several pass-through entities.
Indiana Court Upholds Child Support Calculation Involving Pass-Through Entities
Appeals court upholds trial court’s upward adjustment of father’s child support obligation based on a significant improvement in his economic circumstances; trial court followed applicable case law when calculating income related to father’s minority interests in several pass-through entities.
In ESOP Dispute, Court Orders Disclosure of Communications Involving Independent Financial Advisor
In ESOP discovery dispute, court orders disclosure of documents involving company’s independent financial advisor; there is no attorney-client privilege where parties’ engagement agreement expressly designated advisor as an “independent contractor with no fiduciary or agency to the Company.”
Acosta v. Wilmington Trust, N.A. (HCMC)
In ESOP discovery dispute, court orders disclosure of documents involving company’s independent financial advisor; there is no attorney-client privilege where parties’ engagement agreement expressly designated advisor as an “independent contractor with no fiduciary or agency to the Company.”
Colvin v. Syrian Arab Republic
In wrongful death suit arising from extrajudicial killing of famed war correspondent, court credits plaintiff expert’s “reasonable estimate” of loss of prospective income and benefits but finds expert failed to offset amount by consumption costs; court asks for updated expert report.
Court Awards Loss of Income Damages Related to Acclaimed War Correspondent’s Killing
In wrongful death suit arising from extrajudicial killing of famed war correspondent, court credits plaintiff expert’s “reasonable estimate” of loss of prospective income and benefits but finds expert failed to offset amount by consumption costs; court asks for updated expert report.
In ESOP Discovery Dispute, Court Affirms Protection of Expert Drafts Under Rule 26
In ESOP case, court, citing Rule 26 of federal rules of civil procedure, denies defendant trustee’s motion to compel disclosure of information related to DOL expert’s prior work in valuation industry and expert’s other work for DOL on ESOP-related matters.
Acosta v. Wilmington Trust, N.A. (II) (Graphite)
In ESOP case, court, citing Rule 26 of federal rules of civil procedure, denies defendant trustee’s motion to compel disclosure of information related to DOL expert’s prior work in valuation industry and expert’s other work for DOL on ESOP-related matters.
Lucchesi v. Lucchesi
Appeals court upholds ruling that appreciation in value of husband’s interest in family liquor business is marital asset; trial court carefully analyzed husband’s role in company to find he “substantially contributed” to the increase and husband stipulated to wife’s substantial contribution.