Court Finds ESOP Trustee’s Insurance Excludes Coverage for Defense Against DOL’s ERISA Claims
In bifurcated ESOP litigation centering on ERISA violations, court finds trustee defendants’ professional liability policy expressly excluded coverage for ERISA claims; under language of policy, insurer is not required to defend or indemnify trustee defendants fighting DOL’s ERISA allegations.
Gemini Ins. Co. v. Potts
In bifurcated ESOP litigation centering on ERISA violations, court finds trustee defendants’ professional liability policy expressly excluded coverage for ERISA claims; under language of policy, insurer is not required to defend or indemnify trustee defendants fighting DOL’s ERISA allegations.
Class-Action Litigation Involving ERISA/ESOP Valuation Issues
Join James F. Joyner and attorney Richard Pearl for unique insight into ESOPs and valuation principles. The general trend in ESOP transactions and valuation has been to acquiesce to fundamental changes because of the threat of litigation, even though ERISA or valuation principles do not require changes. Many defendants have been unable to adequately educate courts on some key issues. Get both the valuation and attorney perspective on how to address these issues.
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.”
2020 Johnson/Park DLOM study is now available
The Johnson/Park empirical method to estimate a discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) is the third most popular method business appraisers use for this purpose, according to a BVR survey.
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.
NCEO amicus brief supporting dismissal of case details benefits from ESOP participation
The National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) also filed an amicus brief in which it supports the dismissal of the Lee case that is currently on appeal with the 4th Circuit.
ASA files amicus brief in Lee case, discussing FMV concerns in ESOP litigation
Responding to the appeal in the Lee case, the American Society of Appraisers recently filed an amicus brief supporting the dismissal of the case.
Takeaways from the NYSSCPA BV/Litigation conference
Conference season is here but, of course, in virtual form due to the pandemic.
ESOP trustee defends dismissal of lawsuit and rejects comparison to Brundle
In response to the plaintiff’s appeal in the Lee ESOP case, the defendant trustee said the district court’s dismissal of the case for lack of standing was appropriate.
Discounts inappropriate in valuing minority interest in mandatory buyback, appeals court rules
When a minority shareholder in an Indiana company was terminated as a director and officer, a dispute arose over whether, under a buyback agreement, the use of discounts for lack of control and marketability was permissible in valuing his shares.
Willamette’s spring 2020 Insights focuses on ESOP valuations
The spring 2020 Insights from Willamette Management Associates focuses on ESOP employer stock valuations and contains a number of articles, such as “Employee Stock Ownership Plan Financial Feasibility Analysis: Financial Considerations for Shareholders” (Robert F. Reilly), “Valuation Treatment of the Repurchase Obligation Liability” (Kyle J. Wishing), “The Fiduciary Process for the Annual Update of the ESOP Share Value” (Frank “Chip” Brown), “Pizzella v. Vinoskey: A Costly Lesson to Learn” (Lisa H. Tran), and more.
Pension Rights Center files amicus brief in support of ESOP plaintiff
A nonprofit consumer organization whose mission is “to protect and promote the retirement security of American workers, retirees, and their families” recently filed an amicus curiae brief in support of the appeal the plaintiff in Lee filed with the 4th Circuit (see above).
DOL announces big ESOP settlement with Wilmington Trust
In yet another ESOP development, the Secretary of Labor recently announced that it reached a settlement with Wilmington Trust NA, an international financial services firm with expertise in serving as trustee in major ESOP transactions.
ESOP plaintiff appeals dismissal of lawsuit, leaning heavily on controversial Brundle case
In appealing the dismissal of her lawsuit with the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, an ESOP plaintiff frequently invokes the Brundle case in which the same appeals court affirmed a $30 million judgment for the ESOP.
Projection Issues Raised in ESOP Litigation
Revenue growth rate, profit margins, and long-term growth rate can all meaningfully impact projections. Add in inconsistency with historical results, industry/economy impacts, and lack of adjustment for critical things such as compensation or capital expenditures, and it is easy to see how litigation can arise. Chip Brown, Chelsea Mikula, and Kyle Wishing help identify common issues raised in ESOP litigation cases (either by the Department of Labor or private plaintiffs) with respect to financial projections ...
In Mandatory Buyback, Indiana Appeals Court Disallows Use of Discounts
In dispute about valuation of terminated shareholder’s minority interest, appeals court finds the trial court erred when it allowed discounts for lack of control and marketability; under controlling case law, discounts are inappropriate where the buyback is mandatory and to the controlling party.
Hartman v. BigInch Fabricators & Construction Holding Co., Inc. (Hartman I)
In dispute about valuation of terminated shareholder’s minority interest, appeals court finds the trial court erred when it allowed discounts for lack of control and marketability; under controlling case law, discounts are inappropriate where the buyback is mandatory and to the controlling party.
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.
Follow-up comments: How to deal with COVID-19 for Dec. 31, 2019, valuations
Harold Martin (Keiter) has the following additional comments regarding the appraisal discussed in last week’s BVWire article dealing with a valuation date of Dec. 31, 2019, and whether the impact of the coronavirus should be considered a subsequent event.
New DOL process agreement confronts control issue in ESOP valuations
The Department of Labor recently settled ESOP litigation with the trustee Farmers National Bank of Danville (FNB).
DOL Processing Agreement Contains Stringent Rules on Controlling Interest Transactions, Indemnification
Under new processing agreement between DOL and specific ESOP trustee, trustee is bound by strict rules on how to handle controlling-interest acquisitions and indemnification issues; trustee must ensure ESOP plan acquires a series of specified rights before approving payment of a control premium.
Scalia v. Farmers National Bank of Danville & Weddle Bros. Const. Co.
Under new processing agreement between DOL and specific ESOP trustee, trustee is bound by strict rules on how to handle controlling-interest acquisitions and indemnification issues; trustee must ensure ESOP plan acquires a series of specified rights before approving payment of a control premium.
Attack on DOL’s ability to seek monetary damages in Vinoskey ESOP case fails
In the contentious Vinoskey ESOP case, the trustee recently asked for a new trial, arguing the Secretary of Labor, representing the plaintiff, lacked the statutory authority to seek monetary damages on behalf of the ESOP and the court lacked the authority to hear this claim.