Complete Logistical Services, LLC v. Rulh
In buyout dispute resulting from expulsion of LLC member, court finds state law does not preclude use of discounts in valuing withdrawing LLC member’s interest; company’s operating agreement is ambiguous on how to value expelled member’s interest, court says, leaving issue for jury to decide.
D.C. Circuit Upholds Remainder-Interest Valuation in Weird Charitable Contribution Case
In charitable contribution case involving remainder interest, D.C. Circuit upholds Tax Court’s value-related findings, including that petitioner did not provide qualified appraisal and did not meet substantiation requirements; valuation here is to be based on FMV, not actuarial tables.
Blau v. Commissioner (RERI II)
In charitable contribution case involving remainder interest, D.C. Circuit upholds Tax Court’s value-related findings, including that petitioner did not provide qualified appraisal and did not meet substantiation requirements; valuation here is to be based on FMV, not actuarial tables.
Oudheusden v. Oudheusden (I)
Appellate court remands because of trial court’s impermissible double dipping, where trial court awarded wife half of the fair market value of husband’s two solely owned businesses, which represented husband’s sole income stream, and based spousal support on annual income generated by businesses.
Connecticut Appellate Court Remands Because of Impermissible Double Dipping
Appellate court remands because of trial court’s impermissible double dipping, where trial court awarded wife half of the fair market value of husband’s two solely owned businesses, which represented husband’s sole income stream, and based spousal support on annual income generated by businesses.
BVU News and Trends April 2019
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Smith v. Promontory Financial Group, LLC
In buyout dispute, court says parties’ letter of intent states buyout conditions; court relies on amount stated in plaintiff’s debt/equity deal proposal to value subject company, finding parties’ trial experts used methods (DCF and asset accumulation) not suited to valuing subject company.
Delaware Chancery Relies on Deal Proposal Valuation in Adjudicating Buyout Dispute
In buyout dispute, court says parties’ letter of intent states buyout conditions; court relies on amount stated in plaintiff’s debt/equity deal proposal to value subject company, finding parties’ trial experts used methods (DCF and asset accumulation) not suited to valuing subject company.
Kress v. United States signifies approval of S corp tax affecting
In a gift tax case teeming with valuation issues, one notable aspect was that, in valuing the minority shares of an S corporation, both parties’ experts applied a C corporation tax rate to the company’s earnings and the court, without ado, accepted the practice.
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.
Experts comment on recent Brundle ESOP decision
In its recent Brundle opinion (see last week’s coverage), the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, in describing the major actors in the case, included a quote (not attributed) that the ESOP world was “a very incestuous community.”
It’s not just about FMV, Brundle ESOP appeals court ruling shows
“Fair market value” is not the only consideration when it comes evaluating the performance of the ESOP trustee, the 4th Circuit made clear in its recent ruling, on which we reported here last week and which represents another milestone in ESOP case law.
4th Circuit upholds Brundle ESOP valuation and damages findings
The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals just affirmed the district court’s ruling against the trustee in the intensely contested Brundle v. Wilmington Trust ESOP case, including the district court’s valuation and damages findings.
Gift Tax Case Suggests Overall Acceptance of S Corp Tax Affecting
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.”
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.
New York Times’ scathing article on appraisers wins Polk Award
In our coverage of the New York Times article on the “friendly” valuations used to increase the fortune President Trump received from his father, we called it “brilliantly written and fascinating.”
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.
Post-trial briefs in Vinoskey ESOP trial point to fierce valuation fight
The DOL’s aggressive oversight strategy concerning ESOPs has led to a number of controversial lawsuits, including, most recently, the Acosta v. Vinoskey case, which, in the past few months, went to trial over the DOL's overpayment claim.
Starkly different valuation narratives in Vinoskey ESOP trial
Post-trial briefs in last year’s Acosta v. Vinoskey ESOP case reveal insights into how each side shaped the valuation narrative.