Publication
Legal Alert – Delaware Supreme Court: No Duty to Buy Out Minority Shareholders in Closely Held Corporations
by John S. Delikanakis
The Delaware Supreme Court recently considered whether the directors of a closely held corporation had a duty under common law fiduciary principles to repurchase a minority shareholder’s shares. The court also considered whether the covenant of good faith and fair dealing created such a duty within a shareholder’s purchase agreement. The court found no such duties in either instance, re-affirmed Delaware precedent on the issue, and highlighted the importance of having an agreed upon exit strategy for minority shareholders or members of closely held entities.
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