ESOP Case Appeal Stokes Controversy Over DOL Valuations
A series of court cases have generated controversy over the tactics and valuation methods the Department of Labor (DOL) has been using, including claims that the DOL has improperly redefined the term “fair market value,” does not follow generally accepted valuation principles nor standards, and continually uses an expert the valuation community deems “unqualified.”
Flynn v. Maschmeyer
In buyout following member’s disassociation from company, appellate court affirms trial court’s fair value determination, including decision to exclude from valuation remaining members’ unsubstantiated debt claims and including litigation amount assessed against dissociated member for misconduct.
Court Rejects FMV Appraisal of Dissociated Member’s Interest in Statutory Buyout
In buyout following member’s disassociation from company, appellate court affirms trial court’s fair value determination, including decision to exclude from valuation remaining members’ unsubstantiated debt claims and including litigation amount assessed against dissociated member for misconduct.
North Carolina court looks to deal price for fair value in tobacco merger
The importance of Delaware appraisal jurisprudence beyond state borders was on display in a recent fair value decision out of North Carolina related to a merger involving the tobacco giant Reynolds.
Indiana and South Carolina courts issue key discount rulings
The Indiana Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court recently issued noteworthy rulings on the appropriateness of discounts in valuing minority interests. The contexts in which the issue arose were different, but both situations amounted to a compelled buyback of shares.
Expert’s Damages Calculation Based on Extensive Experience in Field Is Reliable, Court Finds
Court admits survey evidence, finding expert’s methodology conformed to accepted principles in the field and noting that technical objections go toward weight; court also admits both parties’ damages experts, finding they had extensive experience in the field and were both qualified; questions as to reliability of method “can be explored at trial.”
Geiger v. Creative Impact Inc.
Court admits survey evidence, finding expert’s methodology conformed to accepted principles in the field and noting that technical objections go toward weight; court also admits both parties’ damages experts, finding they had extensive experience in the field and were both qualified; questions as to reliability of method “can be explored at trial.”
Nelson v. Commissioner
In gift tax case, Tax Court finds donor transferred percentages in limited liability company rather than fixed dollar amounts based on language in transfer instruments; further, where transferred minority interests include elements of control, minority discount should be reduced, not eliminated.
Court Says Reduced Minority Discount Appropriate Where Minority Interest Has Elements of Control
In gift tax case, Tax Court finds donor transferred percentages in limited liability company rather than fixed dollar amounts based on language in transfer instruments; further, where transferred minority interests include elements of control, minority discount should be reduced, not eliminated.
Business interruption cases and the role financial experts can play
Filing a business interruption claim has become one of the go-to moves for businesses as they try to mitigate the impact of COVID-19. A discussion of two cases that were adjudicated just before the COVID-19 crisis came into relief explains the trajectory many claims, including claims arising out of the COVID-19 crisis, may take and points to opportunities for damages experts.
Robinson v. Langenbach
State high court upholds trial court’s use of DLOM and minority discount in buyout of minority interest resulting from shareholder oppression; court says there is no “fixed set of factors” trial court must consider for fair value calculation; “context is crucial” and here justified discounts.
High Court Says Context Supports Use of Discounts in Buyout From Shareholder Oppression
State high court upholds trial court’s use of DLOM and minority discount in buyout of minority interest resulting from shareholder oppression; court says there is no “fixed set of factors” trial court must consider for fair value calculation; “context is crucial” and here justified discounts.
Alabama Appeals Court Affirms Calculation of Value Is Admissible and Lets Rohling Stand
In divorce case, Alabama appeals court upholds trial court’s admission of calculation of value from qualified expert for medical practice; appeals court agrees with lower court that objections to methodology go toward weight and expert’s credibility; court lets earlier Rohling decision stand.
Horne-Ballard v. Ballard
In divorce case, Alabama appeals court upholds trial court’s admission of calculation of value from qualified expert for medical practice; appeals court agrees with lower court that objections to methodology go toward weight and expert’s credibility; court lets earlier Rohling decision stand.
Sultan v. Malik
Appeals court upholds trial court’s valuation of accounting firm based on asset approach where prevailing expert added goodwill value as intangible; court says intrinsic standard of value does not mandate use of income approach for service-based entity.
Court Approves of Adding Goodwill as Intangible in Asset-Based Valuation of Accounting Practice
Appeals court upholds trial court’s valuation of accounting firm based on asset approach where prevailing expert added goodwill value as intangible; court says intrinsic standard of value does not mandate use of income approach for service-based entity.
Reynolds American Inc. v. Third Motion Equities Master Fund Ltd.
In appraisal action involving merger of public (tobacco) company, court, guided by key Delaware court decisions, says deal price best reflects fair value and represents upper limit; contemporaneous valuations based on comparable companies, precedent transactions, and DCF support use of deal price.
North Carolina Court Says Deal Price Represents Upper Limit of Tobacco Company’s Fair Value
In appraisal action involving merger of public (tobacco) company, court, guided by key Delaware court decisions, says deal price best reflects fair value and represents upper limit; contemporaneous valuations based on comparable companies, precedent transactions, and DCF support use of deal price.
Expert in courts—Strickland challenges business valuers who are adversarial or too keen
Experts who attack other experts, behave discourteously, or slavishly follow the instructions of solicitors will not be treated favourably by the courts because they are deeply dependent on the knowledge that their experts, including business valuation specialists, maintain independence and professionalism.
Magarik v Kraus
In buyout dispute, court rejects departing shareholder’s valuation based on income and market approach, where DCF model relied on company projections used for a bank loan that were never realized and, based on evidence, were “not accurate”; court says market approach used “incorrect comparables.”
Court Discredits Valuation Based on Unrealistic Projections and Incorrect Comparables
In buyout dispute, court rejects departing shareholder’s valuation based on income and market approach, where DCF model relied on company projections used for a bank loan that were never realized and, based on evidence, were “not accurate”; court says market approach used “incorrect comparables.”
BVU News and Trends March 2020
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Tales From the Trenches: How Recent Challenges with the IRS Impact Your Valuation
With a special focus on the recent Aaron U. Jones (USTC TCM 2019-101) case regarding tax affecting an S corp and a partnership, this workshop is the best way to get IRS insights short of going into litigation. Get real insights on how to avoid and what to do if working with the IRS on business valuation issues at all levels. Join Mike Gregory as he dives into conflict resolution (with assistance from the Collaboration ...
5th Circuit Upholds Tax Court’s Characterization of Interest and Discount Rulings
5th Circuit affirms Tax Court’s ruling that decedent’s transferred interest is limited partner, not an assignee, interest; appeals court says estate’s related challenge to Tax Court’s valuation reflects disagreement with characterization of interest, not value computation; valuation holds up.
Estate of Streightoff v. Commissioner (II)
5th Circuit affirms Tax Court’s ruling that decedent’s transferred interest is limited partner, not an assignee, interest; appeals court says estate’s related challenge to Tax Court’s valuation reflects disagreement with characterization of interest, not value computation; valuation holds up.