Remy v. Lubbock Nat’l Bank
In ESOP case, court finds ERISA provides for right to contribution among co-fiduciaries but finds trustee defendant has no right to contribution from nonfiduciary ESOP appraiser if trustee were found liable to ESOP for losses; court dismisses third-party complaint against ESOP appraiser.
Trustee’s Claim for Contribution Against ESOP Appraiser Collapses
In ESOP case, court finds ERISA provides for right to contribution among co-fiduciaries but finds trustee defendant has no right to contribution from nonfiduciary ESOP appraiser if trustee were found liable to ESOP for losses; court dismisses third-party complaint against ESOP appraiser.
Lee v. Argent Trust Co.
Court dismisses private plaintiff’s ESOP suit, alleging defendant trustee and other ESOP and company actors violated their fiduciary duties to the plan and overpaid for company stock; a subsequent valuation showed the plan obtained stock at a discount, court concludes.
Court Finds Plaintiff Fails to Show ESOP Transaction Caused Injury
Court dismisses private plaintiff’s ESOP suit, alleging defendant trustee and other ESOP and company actors violated their fiduciary duties to the plan and overpaid for company stock; a subsequent valuation showed the plan obtained stock at a discount, court concludes.
DOL Prevails on All Claims Against ESOP Trustee and Owner/Seller
Trial court finds ESOP trustee liable for causing plan to overpay for company stock; trustee failed to adequately respond to red flags in ESOP appraisal and did not act solely in the interest of ESOP, court says; owner is liable for accepting price he knew to be above stock’s fair market value.
Pizzella v. Vinoskey (I)
Trial court finds ESOP trustee liable for causing plan to overpay for company stock; trustee failed to adequately respond to red flags in ESOP appraisal and did not act solely in the interest of ESOP, court says; owner is liable for accepting price he knew to be above stock’s fair market value.
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.
DOL sticks to its tough ESOP litigation strategy
Despite criticism from the ESOP community, the Department of Labor is not abandoning its litigation-prone approach toward ESOPs, as a recently filed lawsuit makes clear.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
In Gatekeeper Role, Court Trains Attention on Expert Methodology, Not Conclusions
In ESOP case pivoting on valuation, court denies parties’ Daubert challenges; court notes “gatekeeping” means focusing “on principles and methodology, not the conclusions that [the experts] generate”; parties’ objections are mostly quarrels with opposing expert’s conclusions, court finds.
Acosta v. Wilmington Trust, N.A. (I) (Graphite)
In ESOP case pivoting on valuation, court denies parties’ Daubert challenges; court notes “gatekeeping” means focusing “on principles and methodology, not the conclusions that [the experts] generate”; parties’ objections are mostly quarrels with opposing expert’s conclusions, court finds.
Louisiana Courts Wrestle With Treatment of Debt in Community Property Valuation
In community property partition case, appeals court upholds valuation of community-owned firm; firm is not responsible for debts of an acquired company that are personally guaranteed by husband but not by express corporate contract; valuation must not subtract debt amount.
Henry v. Henry
In community property partition case, appeals court upholds valuation of community-owned firm; firm is not responsible for debts of an acquired company that are personally guaranteed by husband but not by express corporate contract; valuation must not subtract debt amount.
Saltzer v. Rolka
In buyout dispute, appellate court upholds trial court’s valuation of company, which applies company-specific risk discount related to uncertain extension of company’s key contract but does not deduct value of personal goodwill attributable to remaining members.
Appellate Court Upholds Use of Risk Discount in Fair Value Determination
In buyout dispute, appellate court upholds trial court’s valuation of company, which applies company-specific risk discount related to uncertain extension of company’s key contract but does not deduct value of personal goodwill attributable to remaining members.