BV News and Trends May 2022
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
DOL proposes change to ESOP prohibited transaction exemption requirements
ESOP appraisers should take note of a proposed rule to amend the Department of Labor (DOL) prohibited transaction exemption procedure, reports the American Society of Appraisers (ASA).
BV News and Trends September 2021
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
BV News and Trends August 2021
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
ESOP litigation has become ‘risky business,’ says Alerding
As BVWire recently reported, the latest development in the long-running Brundle ESOP litigation is a lawsuit the trustee has filed against the very ESOP appraiser it once had hired to work on the case.
Another wrinkle in the Brundle ESOP case
Although the district and appellate courts in the landmark Brundle ESOP case ruled years ago against the trustee, Wilmington Trust, litigation related to the case is not over.
BVU News and Trends April 2021
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
DOL and Professional Fiduciary Services settle ESOP suit
The DOL recently settled a suit against Professional Fiduciary Services (PFS) related to a 2012 transaction in which PFS served as trustee in an ESOP acquisition of outstanding company stock.
Small Business, Bankruptcy and Business Valuation
The Small Business Restructuring Act makes Chapter 11 reorganization proceedings faster, cheaper and more efficient for companies that come to Bankruptcy Court with debts below the statutory cap. That may allow certain small business to survive the current turmoil resulting from the corona virus pandemic. What is, however, not yet clear is the role of business valuators in the process. Michael Pakter explains what that role might be.
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.
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.
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.
Plaintiffs in Rainbow ESOP class action ready to settle case
Last week, we reported on the resolution of two major ESOP litigations.
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.
ESOP defendants sue for indemnification to limit financial exposure
In the face of several key rulings against ESOP fiduciaries, ESOP defendants, concerned about incurring substantial financial obligations, have begun to pursue claims for indemnification and/or contribution against other defendants or third parties to limit their exposure, as a recent case illustrates.
Novel issue of law raised in ESOP case that pits trustee against appraiser
A fairly routine ESOP case that is being litigated in the 4th Circuit has raised a novel legal issue in this jurisdiction as to the financial liability of co-fiduciaries and nonfiduciaries, including the ESOP appraiser.
BVU News and Trends August 2019
monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Acosta v. Reliance Trust Co.
In DOL’s overpayment case against company directors and ESOP trustee, court denies directors’ pretrial motion for dismissal of case, finding DOL advanced “plausible” case theories; court also finds ESOP defendants have no right to indemnification from estate of late owner/seller of company shares.
In ‘Overpriced ESOP Insider Transaction Case,’ Defendants’ Pretrial Motion for Indemnification Fails
In DOL’s overpayment case against company directors and ESOP trustee, court denies directors’ pretrial motion for dismissal of case, finding DOL advanced “plausible” case theories; court also finds ESOP defendants have no right to indemnification from estate of late owner/seller of company shares.
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.
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.