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Corporations - Securities Act Of 1933 - Stock Sale To Employees As A Public Offer, Paul B. Campbell S.Ed. Dec 1953

Corporations - Securities Act Of 1933 - Stock Sale To Employees As A Public Offer, Paul B. Campbell S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

The Securities and Exchange Commission sued to enjoin defendant corporation from offering stock for sale to its employees without first complying with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. Defendant claimed that its offer was not a public offer and therefore it came under a class of transactions which were exempt from the registration requirements. The offer was made to about 500 of the company's 7,000 employees. The company classified the offer as one made only to ''key employees." The court of appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment for defendant. On certiorari, held, reversed, two justices dissenting. …


Corporations - Effect Of A Provision In Articles Of Incorporation Permitting The Counting Of Interested Directors For Quorum Purposes, James W. Callison S.Ed. Dec 1953

Corporations - Effect Of A Provision In Articles Of Incorporation Permitting The Counting Of Interested Directors For Quorum Purposes, James W. Callison S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiffs, minority stockholders, sought to restrain the consummation of a merger agreement between defendant Mayflower and Hilton corporations because the plan had not been approved by a quorum of disinterested directors of Mayflower. Defendants relied upon a provision in Mayflower's articles of incorporation which stated that " . . . any director may be counted in determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors of this Corporation for the purpose of authorizing any contract or transaction [between this Corporation and any other corporation in which any director or officer of this Corporation is pecuniarily …


"Fair And Equitable" Distribution Of Voting Power Under The Public Utility Holding Company Act Of 1935, Leo W. Leary Nov 1953

"Fair And Equitable" Distribution Of Voting Power Under The Public Utility Holding Company Act Of 1935, Leo W. Leary

Michigan Law Review

In the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 Congress gave the Securities and Exchange Commission the task of investigating voting power distribution among security holders in electric and gas holding companies and their subsidiaries. If the Commission finds that the corporate structure or continued existence of any company in a holding company system "unfairly or inequitably" distributes voting power among the investors in the system, it is the Commission's duty to order the offending corporation to take "such steps as the Commission shall find necessary" to cure this condition. This paper is an attempt to ascertain what the Commission …


Corporations - Shareholders - Right To Bring Derivative Action For Treble Damages Under Antitrust Laws, William K. Davenport S.Ed. Nov 1953

Corporations - Shareholders - Right To Bring Derivative Action For Treble Damages Under Antitrust Laws, William K. Davenport S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, owner of 50 percent of the stock in a theater corporation, brought a derivative action in federal court for treble damages for loss of profits allegedly suffered from defendant's violation of the antitrust laws. The district court sustained defendant's motion to dismiss. On appeal to the court of appeals, held, reversed and remanded. Under the new federal rules, a stockholder may bring a derivative action for treble damages under the antitrust laws. Fanchon & Marco, Inc. v. Paramount Pictures, Inc., (2d Cir. 1953) 202 F. (2d) 731.


Corporations-Appointment Of Receiver Solely For The Purpose Of Bringing Suit, William A. Bain, Jr. S.Ed. Jun 1953

Corporations-Appointment Of Receiver Solely For The Purpose Of Bringing Suit, William A. Bain, Jr. S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

An ex parte petition was filed by a minority stockholder of a foreign corporation requesting the appointment of a special receiver for certain claims of the corporation against resident fiduciaries. The claims, which had not been prosecuted by the corporation, were about to be barred by the statute of limitations. A receiver was appointed and brought suit. The corporation appeared specially requesting that the order be set aside. Held, motion denied. A court of equity has inherent power to appoint a receiver for the assets of a foreign corporation in an ex parte proceeding instituted by a minority stockholder. …


Corporations--Officers And Agents-Authority Of Manager To Enter Into A Lifetime Employment Contract, Peter Van Domelen S.Ed. May 1953

Corporations--Officers And Agents-Authority Of Manager To Enter Into A Lifetime Employment Contract, Peter Van Domelen S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In 1924, the plaintiff, while working as an employee of the defendant corporation, suffered an injury which resulted in the loss of his leg. During his period of convalescence the plaintiff was visited by the district superintendent of the defendant corporation and was assured that the corporation would pay for his medical expenses and furnish him with a lifetime job in exchange for his promise to forbear from suit. Upon recovery, the plaintiff returned to work and served the defendant in various capacities until 1949, at which time he was discharged without cause. The plaintiff brought an action to recover …


Federal Procedure-Applicability Of State Decisional Law Interpreting State Statutes Of Limitations Under Section 11 (E) Of The Bankruptcy Act, Charles E. Oldfather S.Ed Apr 1953

Federal Procedure-Applicability Of State Decisional Law Interpreting State Statutes Of Limitations Under Section 11 (E) Of The Bankruptcy Act, Charles E. Oldfather S.Ed

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff is the trustee in bankruptcy of a Virginia corporation whose petition for reorganization under chapter X of the Bankruptcy Act was approved by a Virginia federal district court in 1942. Plaintiff filed this action in a New York federal district court under section 11 (e) of the Bankruptcy Act against defendant, the principal stockholder, and others for breach of fiduciary duty. The alleged breaches of duty occurred in 1927 and 1929. The defendant pleaded the New York statute of limitations and contended that it should be applied as interpreted by New York decisions, which hold that the statute begins …


Corporations-Power Of Legislature To Revive Corporate Charter, John S. Slavens S.Ed Apr 1953

Corporations-Power Of Legislature To Revive Corporate Charter, John S. Slavens S.Ed

Michigan Law Review

Defendant, a New York corporation, was engaged in operating steamboats for sightseeing purposes below Niagara Falls. Defendant was incorporated in 1892 for a term of fifty years, the maximum then permitted by statute. Through inadvertence the charter was not renewed in 1942. The corporation continued in its regular course of business, and in 1947 when the oversight was discovered, the board of directors, with the approval of three-fourths of the shareholders, immediately revived the corporation under a statutory provision enacted in 1944. Plaintiffs, shareholders of the corporation, claimed that application of the provision was an unconstitutional deprivation of their rights …


That Pierced Veil-Friendly Stockholders And Enemy Corporations, Norman S. Fink Mar 1953

That Pierced Veil-Friendly Stockholders And Enemy Corporations, Norman S. Fink

Michigan Law Review

Consider, if you will, the position of Mr. A, an ordinary resident of Suburbia, Long Island, New York, U.S.A., who on the advice of his stock broker that he has an opportunity to buy a "growth" stock, invests $5,000 in 100 shares of X company, organized under the laws of Switzerland. The World erupts into another tragic war and Mr. A receives peremptory demand from his government to turn over his shares to it. He learns that his investment gives aid and comfort to the enemy since X company, apparently a non-belligerent enterprise in a neutral country, is alleged …


Corporations-Officers And Directors-Effect Of Statutes On Contracts Between Corporations With Common Directors, William K. Davenport S.Ed. Mar 1953

Corporations-Officers And Directors-Effect Of Statutes On Contracts Between Corporations With Common Directors, William K. Davenport S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Legislative policy-making on the subject of contracts between corporations having interlocking directorates has required a balancing of the interest of corporate enterprise in the flexibility of business relations against the interest of minority shareholders in protection against self-dealing by corporate managers.


Corporation-Officers And Directors-Relationship Between Cumulative Voting And Removal Provisions, John W. Hupp S.Ed. Mar 1953

Corporation-Officers And Directors-Relationship Between Cumulative Voting And Removal Provisions, John W. Hupp S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Respondent corporation adopted a bylaw providing for removal of a director, with or without cause, by majority vote of the stockholders. The corporation subsequently amended its charter to provide for cumulative voting at all elections of directors. At a meeting of the stockholders and directors, one director was removed without cause by majority vote of the stockholders and another director elected in his place over the objection of petitioner, a minority stockholder owning 40% of the outstanding stock. On petitioner's application to have the election set aside, held, election invalidated and set aside. Adoption of the cumulative voting provision …


Corporations-Right Of Hostile Stockholder And Director To Examinethe Books And Records Of Corporation, Charles R. Gibson S.Ed. Mar 1953

Corporations-Right Of Hostile Stockholder And Director To Examinethe Books And Records Of Corporation, Charles R. Gibson S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff was a minority stockholder and director in Pascal Company. She sought to inspect the books and records of the corporation relating to marketing practices, sales and customers, but was prevented from doing so by the defendant, who is the president and majority stockholder of the corporation. Plaintiff thereupon brought an action for a writ of mandamus to compel the defendant to permit such inspection. The defense was that plaintiff had a scheme to interfere with, harass and sabotage the business by contacting distributors and customers, and by making information regarding the business available to competitors. The lower court dismissed …


Taxation-Federal Income Tax-Status Of Payment Of Corporate Liability By Stockholder Subsequent To Liquidation, George V. Burbach S.Ed. Mar 1953

Taxation-Federal Income Tax-Status Of Payment Of Corporate Liability By Stockholder Subsequent To Liquidation, George V. Burbach S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Petitioners, from 1937 to 1940, received distributions from the liquidation of a corporation of which they were stockholders and reported the profits thus obtained, classifying them as capital gains pursuant to I.R.C., §115. In 1944, a judgment was rendered against the corporation. Petitioners, as transferees, paid the judgment and took a deduction of 100 per cent, classifying the amount paid as an ordinary business loss. The Commissioner took a contrary position, and held the payment a capital loss. The Tax Court upheld the petitioners' contention but the court of appeals reversed. On appeal, held, affirmed, three Justices dissenting. The …


Corporations - Stock Options - Requirements Of Consideration For Employee Options, George D. Miller, Jr. S.Ed. Feb 1953

Corporations - Stock Options - Requirements Of Consideration For Employee Options, George D. Miller, Jr. S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

The Delaware court, in two recent decisions, has indicated what may be an increasingly strict attitude toward employee stock options, particularly when granted to executive officers or directors. It will be the purpose of this comment to examine the significance of these decisions, and to attempt to determine the extent of the change wrought by them.


Corporations-Dissolution -Rights Of Members Of Nonprofit Corporation On Distribution Of Assets, John W. Hupp S.Ed. Feb 1953

Corporations-Dissolution -Rights Of Members Of Nonprofit Corporation On Distribution Of Assets, John W. Hupp S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Defendant association was incorporated in 1921 on a nonstock basis for the purpose of maintaining a club for social enjoyment. The association never maintained such a club, however, but rather operated a plan whereby "funeral benefits" were paid to the heirs of deceased members. At a special meeting on March 7, 1946, a plan was adopted for final distribution of the assets of the association among its members "on a basis for each month a member has been a member of the association." At a subsequent meeting, the members unanimously adopted a resolution to divide the association funds among its …


Federal Procedure-Venue Of Corporations-Applicability Of 28 U.S.C. §1391(C) To Plaintiff Corporations, Charles E. Oldfather S.Ed. Jan 1953

Federal Procedure-Venue Of Corporations-Applicability Of 28 U.S.C. §1391(C) To Plaintiff Corporations, Charles E. Oldfather S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, trustee in bankruptcy of a Delaware corporation, brought a contract action based on diversity of citizenship in an Ohio district court. Defendant is a partnership, whose partners are all residents of states other than Delaware. Defendant moved to dismiss the action on the ground that venue was improperly laid. The court, relying on 28 U.S.C. §139I(c), held: motion to dismiss overruled. "Since the district where plaintiff is doing business . . . is the 'residence of the corporation for venue purposes,' this action may be properly maintained here [Ohio].'' Hadden v. Barrow, Wade, Guthrie & Co., (D.C. …