DOL appellate brief pushes back in Vinoskey ESOP litigation
Neither side is letting up in the contentious Vinoskey ESOP litigation that has now moved to the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
In tax refund case, expert identifies only viable method to value stock in ‘severely distressed’ private company
The taxpayer sued the federal government for a refund, arguing she had overpaid income taxes on stock she had received as part of settling a lawsuit against her former employer.
Prospects grow for valuing promissory notes, says Mercer
There is an increasing number of opportunities for analysts in valuing promissory notes, says Chris Mercer (Mercer Capital) during the recent AICPA Forensic & Valuation Services Conference.
Finkel v. Palm Park, Inc.
In LLC member dispute, court faces “conundrum” where fair value buyout seeks to avoid LLC’s dissolution and court leans on expert’s FMV valuation using net asset value approach premised on “orderly liquidation”; court notes FMV is based on hypothetical actors and transaction, not specific parties.
Court’s Fair Value Determination Leans Heavily on Expert’s Fair Market Valuation Premised on Liquidation
In LLC member dispute, court faces “conundrum” where fair value buyout seeks to avoid LLC’s dissolution and court leans on expert’s FMV valuation using net asset value approach premised on “orderly liquidation”; court notes FMV is based on hypothetical actors and transaction, not specific parties.
ESOPs: good for employees but facing an uncertain future
A recent article in the New York Times extols the virtues of employee ownership through employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). And trade groups for employee-owned businesses have noted bipartisan Congressional support for ESOPs. But ESOP experts (trustees and appraisers) worry that the Department of Labor’s antagonistic attitude toward ESOP transactions, validated by key victories in court, has stymied ESOP formation.
ESOPs: good for employees but facing an uncertain future
A recent article in the New York Times extols the virtues of employee ownership through employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).
Lysengen v. Argent Trust Co.
ESOP plaintiff’s proposed class action against trustee and selling shareholders survives motion to dismiss; court says complaint gave enough facts to support claims of overpayment and breach of fiduciary duty; defendant must show disputed transaction falls into adequate consideration exemption.
BVU News and Trends October 2020
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Family Matters: Standard of Value, DLOM/DLOC Discounts and Drama in BV
A buried body, sex surrogates, and family-owned business create a dramatic background for a recent court case impacting valuation. With complex minority discounts, this case kicks off a compelling discussion of key issues in family law. Experts Stacey Udell, Neil Beaton, and Ron Seigneur tackle these thorny issues with clarity and comedy. Get treated to the tricks and tips you’ll want when your next family-owned business engagement rings your doorbell.
Court of Chancery sanctions use of asset approach in complex appraisal case
A low-profile appraisal case in front of the Delaware Court of Chancery raised important valuation questions, including how the court should determine the fair value of a nonoperating entity and how it should deal with the value of claims both parties brought on behalf of the company prior to the contested merger.
Lucero v. United States
In tax case, court approves refund, finding value of unlisted stock in distressed closely held company that taxpayer received as part of a settlement was less than stated in settlement agreement; taxpayer’s expert showed market value approach was only suitable method to calculate fair market value.
ESOP Plaintiff’s Proposed Class Action Alleging Overpayment Survives Motion to Dismiss
ESOP plaintiff’s proposed class action against trustee and selling shareholders survives motion to dismiss; court says complaint gave enough facts to support claims of overpayment and breach of fiduciary duty; defendant must show disputed transaction falls into adequate consideration exemption.
Court Adopts Taxpayer Expert’s Method to Value Unlisted Stock of ‘Severely Distressed’ Company
In tax case, court approves refund, finding value of unlisted stock in distressed closely held company that taxpayer received as part of a settlement was less than stated in settlement agreement; taxpayer’s expert showed market value approach was only suitable method to calculate fair market value.
Key Tennessee appeals court ruling finds tax affecting ‘relevant’ to fair value buyout
In a Tennessee buyout dispute involving a limited liability corporation organized as an S corporation, the parties disagreed over whether it was appropriate to tax affect in calculating the fair value of the terminated member’s interest.
Control Discounts and Premiums - What is Old and What is New
Where do they come from? Do they even exist? Should I fear using them? No, this October event doesn’t delve into the supernatural but rather attempts to demystify the methods and resources available to quantify control discounts and/or premiums. Join Jim Ewart and Jim Alerding to learn what is new, what is old, and what matters. Learn the sources, context, and usefulness of control premiums and discounts, and the best practices for determining what they ...
ASA, supporting Vinoskey ESOP appeal, aims to correct BV ‘misstatements’
The ASA recently filed an amicus brief in support of the Vinoskey appeal, in which it claims the district court, in ruling against the ESOP trustee and the owner and selling shareholder, Adam Vinoskey, made numerous valuation-related misstatements that required correction.
Defendant in Vinoskey ESOP case files appeal with 4th Circuit
In the contentious Vinoskey ESOP case, one of the defendants, the owner and selling shareholder, Adam Vinoskey, recently appealed the district court’s finding that he was liable for knowingly participating in the trustee defendant’s ERISA violations and was a co-fiduciary for the trustee’s breaches of fiduciary duties.
Marshall v. Marshall (II)
On second review, appeals court says trial court satisfied task on remand; latter’s use of reasonable compensation calculation to establish income for alimony and child support purposes was in the spirit of parties’ agreement and was based on “entirely credible” testimony by husband’s BV expert.
Courts Agree Reasonable Compensation Is Sound Method for Calculating Spousal Support in S Corp Context
On second review, appeals court says trial court satisfied task on remand; latter’s use of reasonable compensation calculation to establish income for alimony and child support purposes was in the spirit of parties’ agreement and was based on “entirely credible” testimony by husband’s BV expert.
In re Happy Child World, Inc.
In an entire-fairness-cum-statutory-appraisal case involving nonoperating day care center whose facility was leased on merger date, court approves use of capitalization of earnings and NAV models and averaging results to determine fair value; business model was uncertain on merger date, court notes.
Uncertain Business Model on Merger Date Justifies Use of Income and NAV Models, Court Says
In an entire-fairness-cum-statutory-appraisal case involving nonoperating day care center whose facility was leased on merger date, court approves use of capitalization of earnings and NAV models and averaging results to determine fair value; business model was uncertain on merger date, court notes.
RVNB class action alleging breach of fiduciary duty by ESOP trustee hurtles toward final settlement
ESOP litigation watchers can add one more case to the number of actions that recently have been resolved.
BVU News and Trends August 2020
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Gavrielidis v. 80 Seaview Ave., LLC
In this dispute among siblings owning restaurants in Connecticut, the court determined that there was no oppression against one of the siblings whose employment was terminated and there were no wrongful acts. The court determined the fair market value of the plaintiff’s membership interests but denied discounts for lack of control and lack of marketability.