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Delaware Chancery Court Focuses On Negotiation History In Denying Former Securityholders A Milestone Payment Based On The Interpretation Of An Ambiguous Merger Agreement

Shearman & Sterling

On March 15, 2017, Chancellor Andre G. Bouchard of the Delaware Court of Chancery decided, post-trial, that a biopharmaceutical company was not required to pay a $50 million "milestone payment" under the terms of a merger agreement. Shareholder Representative Services LLC v. Gilead Sciences Inc. 10537-CB (Del.

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Delaware Court Of Chancery Holds That Addition Of MFW Protections Following Initial Controller Proposal But Before Negotiations Meets MFW Conditions

Shearman & Sterling

2017-0032 (Del. Finding that "the controller announce[d] the conditions before any negotiations took place," the Court held the ab initio requirement was satisfied and dismissed the complaint under MFW. In re Synutra International Inc. Stockholder Litigation, C.A. M&F Worldwide, 88 A.3d 3d 635 (Del. Read more

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Delaware Chancery Court Focuses On Negotiation History In Denying Former Securityholders A Milestone Payment Based On The Interpretation Of An Ambiguous Merger Agreement

Shearman & Sterling

On March 15, 2017, Chancellor Andre G. Bouchard of the Delaware Court of Chancery decided, post-trial, that a biopharmaceutical company was not required to pay a $50 million "milestone payment" under the terms of a merger agreement. Shareholder Representative Services LLC v. Gilead Sciences Inc. 10537-CB (Del.

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Delaware Court Of Chancery Holds That Addition Of MFW Protections Following Initial Controller Proposal But Before Negotiations Meets MFW Conditions

Shearman & Sterling

2017-0032 (Del. Finding that "the controller announce[d] the conditions before any negotiations took place," the Court held the ab initio requirement was satisfied and dismissed the complaint under MFW. In re Synutra International Inc. Stockholder Litigation, C.A. M&F Worldwide, 88 A.3d 3d 635 (Del. Read more

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Two Cautionary Tales: Fee Shifting Imposed for Litigating Books-and-Records Inspection Demands

Sidley Shareholder Litigation

2017), and McGowan v. Two recent fee-shifting decisions issued by Vice Chancellor Zurn provide a cautionary reminder of those limits, which were previously set out by the Court of Chancery in opinions such as Pettry v. Gilead Scis. 2020), Marilyn Abrams Living Trust v. Empress Entm’t (2000).

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Delaware Court Of Chancery Dismisses Derivative Action, Finding Demand Unexcused Because Plaintiff Did Not Plead Non-Exculpated Claims Against A Majority Of Directors

Shearman & Sterling

Plaintiff alleged that the CEO—who together with an affiliated entity (Allied's parent company) controlled nearly 60% of Erin's shares—effectively stood on all sides of the challenged transactions and negotiated in his own self-interest. Lawal, C.A. 11963 (Del.

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Delaware Court Of Chancery Extends MFW Protections To One-Sided Controller Transactions

Shearman & Sterling

On August 18, 2017, Vice Chancellor Joseph R. Plaintiffs asserted that the sale was conflicted because Stewart negotiated for greater consideration for herself than for other stockholders and that the transaction did not meet the standards for application of the business judgment rule. In re Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.