Law Commons^™

The Next Generation: The Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, Daniel S. Kleinberger

Faculty Scholarship

In July, 2006, the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws approved Re-ULLCA - the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act. The product of a three-year drafting process, heavily influenced by 13 advisors appointed by the ABA, the new Act brings major innovations to the law of limited liability companies. This article, written by the two co-reporters for the drafting committee: (i) explains why the Conference decided to draft a new LLC statute, reviews the process through which the Conference produced and approved the new Act, and describes the Act's basic architecture; (ii) highlights the Act's major innovations; and …

Direct Versus Derivative And The Law Of Limited Liability Companies, Daniel S. Kleinberger

Faculty Scholarship

The hybrid nature of limited liability companies causes us to re-invent, or at least re-examine, many doctrinal wheels. This Article will reexamine one of the most practical of those wheels-the distinction between direct and derivative claims in the context of a closely-held limited liability company.

Case law concerning the direct/derivative distinction is still overwhelmingly from the law of corporations, although LLC cases are now being reported with some frequency. LLC cases routinely analogize to, or borrow from, the corporate law. This Article encompasses that law, analyzes LLC developments, and argues that courts should (i) avoid the "special injury" rule, (ii) …

Direct Vs. Derivative, Or "What's A Lawsuit Between Friends In An 'Incorporated Partnership'?", Daniel S. Kleinberger

Faculty Scholarship

In any context the distinction between direct and derivative claims carries significant consequences. The procedural requirements are different, as are the available remedies. In addition, the remedies benefit different parties. A successful derivative claim typically enriches the corporate treasury, while a successful direct claim typically puts money directly in the hands of the shareholder claimant. Moreover, derivative defendants can shelter behind several powerful bulwarks-including special litigation committees and the business judgment rule-that are unavailable to direct defendants.

Under the 'internal affairs' doctrine, Minnesota law governs the direct/derivative issue for all Minnesota corporations. Current Minnesota law provides inadequate guidance when the …