Business Valuation Update Yearbook, 2020 Edition
January 2020 PDF
BVR (editor)
Business Valuation Resources, LLC
Court Decides Daubert Exclusion of Expert Testimony for Failure to Apportion Is Premature
In trade secrets dispute, court denies defendant’s Daubert motion, finding exclusion of opposing damages expert testimony for failure to apportion is premature; whether or not entire market value rule applies is determination for jury “after hearing all the documentary and testimonial evidence.”
Pawelko v. Hasbro, Inc.
In trade secrets dispute, court denies defendant’s Daubert motion, finding exclusion of opposing damages expert testimony for failure to apportion is premature; whether or not entire market value rule applies is determination for jury “after hearing all the documentary and testimonial evidence.”
Supreme Court reviews damages issue in trademark infringement case
The U.S. Supreme Court is about to hear arguments in a trademark infringement case that turns on whether the plaintiff, in order to obtain the infringer’s profits, has to show willful infringement by the defendant.
Reasonable Certainty for New Business Lost Profit Calculations
New-business lost profit calculations have been a heavily contested topic. Many courts and practitioners rely on historical approaches using historical data of the company itself or a “comparable” company. Join Josh Shilts for a discussion of recent case law and various approaches and learn techniques to validate your lost profit projection. Take these skills and make your report and testimony more defensible.
IceMOS Tech. Corp. v. Omron Corp.
In contract dispute, court denies defendant’s Daubert motions, finding plaintiff’s experts are qualified based on extensive experience in relevant industry; experts could provide testimony relevant to surviving lost development support costs claim and their testimony is not unreliable as of now.
Plaintiff’s Projections Fail to Meet New York Test for Lost Profits or Lost Business Value
A breach of contract case in which the plaintiff asked for various types of economic damages is noteworthy for the court s extended discussion of what the plaintiff must show under New York law to make a case for lost profits. The court explained that the hurdle was particularly high for a new business or a business trying to break into a new market considering the company s lack of a financial track record. Damages must be ...
IceMOS Tech. Corp. v. Omron Corp.
In contract dispute, court says claims for lost profits and lost business value fail because, for both, plaintiff is unable to determine damages with reasonable certainty; relying solely on projections of future performance, without any proof of profit, is not enough under New York law.
Plaintiff’s Projections Fail to Meet New York Test for Lost Profits or Lost Business Value
A breach of contract case in which the plaintiff asked for various types of economic damages is noteworthy for the court s extended discussion of what the plaintiff must show under New York law to make a case for lost profits. The court explained that the hurdle was particularly high for a new business or a business trying to break into a new market considering the company s lack of a financial track record. Damages must be ...
Some courts prefer back-of-the-envelope calculations, expert says
Although some appraisers are categorically opposed to calculation engagements, it is not unusual for courts to want a back-of-the-envelope calculation, a veteran BV expert says.
Cline v. Sunoco
In class-certification context, court says plaintiff’s damages expert meets Rule 702/Daubert requirements as they apply in early stage of litigation; expert is qualified, and, damages model, even if not fully developed, provides a sufficiently reliable way to calculate damages on classwide basis.
Expert Testimony Offered at Class-Certification Stage Survives Daubert Challenge
In class-certification context, court says plaintiff’s damages expert meets Rule 702/Daubert requirements as they apply in early stage of litigation; expert is qualified, and, damages model, even if not fully developed, provides a sufficiently reliable way to calculate damages on classwide basis.
Reasonable Certainty for New Business Lost Profit Calculations
A recent court decision has provided practical guidance for experts to mitigate concerns over providing speculative, unsupported lost profit estimations for a new business. The author also provides an example of a recent engagement.
Calculating Damages in Intellectual Property Disputes: New Guidance
The 4th edition of the AICPA/CIMA Practice Aid for Calculating Damages in Intellectual Property Disputes is out, and, in the six years since the last edition, damages law and the intellectual property damages climate have changed in many areas. Join Drew Voth and Jeff Press to learn about the changes to the theories, techniques, and oft-cited case law addressed by intellectual property damages experts in the patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret areas. The AICPA ...
Damages Expert’s ‘Before/After’ Lost Profits Analysis Bolsters Plaintiff’s Defamation Case
In defamation and business disparagement case against former employer, appeals court affirms jury award to cardiovascular surgeon compensating for injury to reputation and lost profits; expert’s before/after analysis was supported by evidence, and expert ruled out other causes for lost business.
Mem’l Hermann Health Sys. v. Gomez
In defamation and business disparagement case against former employer, appeals court affirms jury award to cardiovascular surgeon compensating for injury to reputation and lost profits; expert’s before/after analysis was supported by evidence, and expert ruled out other causes for lost business.
In Misappropriation Case, Expert’s ‘Head Start’ Damages Calculation Survives Appeal
In breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation case, appeals court upholds arbitration award of “head start” damages; expert for employer calculated value to the employee from owing equity in competing company whose valuation was higher because of employee’s misconduct toward former employer.
Sabre GLBL, Inc. v. Shan
In breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation case, appeals court upholds arbitration award of “head start” damages; expert for employer calculated value to the employee from owing equity in competing company whose valuation was higher because of employee’s misconduct toward former employer.
Evolving Issues in Proving Lost Profits in Commercial Litigation
The authors provide a formal model of lost profits with a special focus on measurement of expenses, how “time” is a factor, and special efforts the expert needs to make to reduce the chances of failing a Daubert challenge.
Alkayali v. Boukhari
Appeals court upholds valuation of plaintiff’s interest in dissolved company and jury award; plaintiff expert’s analysis of sales transactions of comparable companies was admissible; Pratt’s Stats/DealStats database provided a reliable basis for expert to identify relevant sales, court says.
Court Validates Expert’s Reliance on Pratt’s Stats/DealStats for Sales Transaction Analysis
Appeals court upholds valuation of plaintiff’s interest in dissolved company and jury award; plaintiff expert’s analysis of sales transactions of comparable companies was admissible; Pratt’s Stats/DealStats database provided a reliable basis for expert to identify relevant sales, court says.
Economic damages culminate suit over war journalist’s extrajudicial killing
A civil suit arising out of the “deliberated” killing of a well-respected American war correspondent illustrates that valuation and damages issues play a critical role in most litigation.
Valuing IP associated with influencer marketing
Social media has transformed the “nobodies” of the past into new “somebodies” who have influence over the online audience.
Business Valuation Update Yearbook, 2019 Edition
February 2019 PDF
BVR (editor)
Business Valuation Resources, LLC
2018 key valuation and damages cases
At year-end, Sylvia Golden, BVR’s executive legal editor, provides a roundup of the key business valuation and damages cases. Here are her choices for 2018. Some of the courts’ decisions have changed the legal landscape and are must-know cases. Other rulings are confined to the specific case, but they contain important lessons for appraisers of how to, and, more often, how not to, perform as a financial expert.