Trevor Gates – Delaware Docket

Chancery Court Compels Arbitration Based On Email Communications That Included All Essential Terms

Dec 09 2016

In Gomes v. Karnell, No. 11814-VCMR (Del. Ch. Nov. 30, 2016), the Delaware Court of Chancery granted the defendants’ motion to compel arbitration and held that an email exchange between the parties’ attorneys formed a valid arbitration agreement. The plaintiff, Mark Gomes (“Gomes”), an investment analyst with thousands of followers, alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, breaches of contract, waste, and aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty.

Chancery Court Blocks Former Judge From Serving On LLC Special Litigation Committees

Jul 08 2016

By: Scott E. Waxman and Trevor M. Gates

In Obeid v. Hogan, No. CV 11900-VCL (Del. Ch. June 10, 2016), the Delaware Court of Chancery prevented a former federal judge from serving as the sole member of parallel special litigation committees formed to assess derivative actions because he was not a director or manager of the respective limited liability companies (“LLCs”). In reaching this decision, the court followed corporate precedent in interpreting an LLC agreement because of the LLC’s “corporate-style governance structure.” The court concluded an LLC board of directors could therefore delegate authority to a committee to take control of a derivative action, under certain circumstances, but that authority could not be delegated to a non-director/non-member in this instance.

Author:Trevor Gates