Commercial transactions often involve parties from different states. When a dispute arises between diverse parties, the question of whether a party can obtain personal jurisdiction over a defendant becomes critical. This issue becomes even more apparent when the defendant is a foreign corporation that conducts business across the world. In a recent decision from the
Shareholder Derivative Suit
New York’s Long-Arm Statute Thwarts Dismissal In International Shareholder Derivative Action
Undoubtedly, unsuspecting foreign corporations may find themselves having business connections in New York and subject to the jurisdiction of New York courts.
This blog post focuses on a recent decision by Hon. Andrew Borrock of the Commercial Division of the New York State Supreme Court for New York County in Matter of Renren, Inc. Derivative
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Res Judicata: Shareholders Get One Bite at the Derivative Suit Apple
When filing a shareholder derivative suit, it‘s important to get the job done right the first time, as other shareholders may not get a second bite of the proverbial apple.
In Noor v. Mahmood, the Second Department upheld Justice Lawrence Knipel’s Order which granted defendants’ motion for summary judgment, dismissing a shareholder derivative…
Shareholders Beware: Serve Pre-Litigation Demands or Be Prepared to Plead Demand Futility with Particularity
In a recent case, Gammel v Immelt (2019 NY Slip Op 32005[U]), shareholders of General Electric Company (GE), brought a derivative shareholder action against the members of GE’s board of directors and various committees charged with overseeing GE’s business operations. Plaintiffs alleged causes of action sounding in gross mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duty, among…
Dismissed: The Tragic, True Story of Direct and Derivative Claims Jumbled Together Beyond Recognition
Much has been written about the pleading requirements unique to shareholder derivative lawsuits. For example, a derivative complaint must allege the plaintiff’s standing as a shareholder at all relevant times. Demand upon the board, or its futility, must also be pled with sufficient particularity. But fundamentally, a complaint may not assert direct claims derivatively,…