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Michigan Law Review

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Articles 151 - 180 of 596

Full-Text Articles in Business Organizations Law

Corporations - Dissolution - Equity Power To Dissolve Going Concern For Dissension, Robert P. Luciano S.Ed., Robert M. Vorsanger Apr 1958

Corporations - Dissolution - Equity Power To Dissolve Going Concern For Dissension, Robert P. Luciano S.Ed., Robert M. Vorsanger

Michigan Law Review

The stock in a hotel management corporation was divided equally between two families, each of which had for some years been unable to agree or cooperate with the other in the management of the business. As a result of this dissension, no meeting of stockholders or directors was held for some years, no withdrawals of profits had been possible for six years, and the corporation had been operated at a loss for the year prior to suit. While the concern was not insolvent, such a financial state was allegedly imminent, the business of the corporation was admittedly poorly managed and …


Corporations - Clayton Act - Service Of Process On Alien Corporations Through Their Local Subsidiaries, George R. Haydon Jr. Mar 1958

Corporations - Clayton Act - Service Of Process On Alien Corporations Through Their Local Subsidiaries, George R. Haydon Jr.

Michigan Law Review

Two affiliated German corporations, one of which is the defendant, established a jointly owned subsidiary in New York. Three members of the subsidiary's five-man board of directors are officers or directors of the German parents, while a fourth is a former employee sent to this country to manage the subsidiary. The American company is devoted exclusively to the business of the German parents. It assists in the negotiation of contracts, although it has no power to bind the parents, advises with respect to patents, and makes infrequent sales and purchases. For these services, it receives a flat fee plus a …


Corporations - Stock Transfer - Enforceability Of Restrictions On Right Of Transfer When Not Stated On Certificate, L. Ronald Modlin Feb 1958

Corporations - Stock Transfer - Enforceability Of Restrictions On Right Of Transfer When Not Stated On Certificate, L. Ronald Modlin

Michigan Law Review

A by-Iaw of defendant corporation provided that no stockholder could sell his shares unless he first offered them for sale to the corporation or its directors. The by-law also stated that this restriction should be printed on the stock certificates and would thereupon bind all present or future owners or holders. The corporation never complied with this latter provision. Plaintiff, having knowledge of the by-law restriction, purchased two shares of the corporation's stock, but these shares were not first offered for sale to the corporation or its directors. When the corporation refused to transfer the shares, plaintiff sued to compel …


Corporations - Officers And Directors - Indemnification Of Expenses Incurred In Defense Of Contract Of Employment, John P. Williams Jan 1958

Corporations - Officers And Directors - Indemnification Of Expenses Incurred In Defense Of Contract Of Employment, John P. Williams

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, Sorenson, contracted with defendant, Overland Corporation, to become one of its directors, and the contract was approved by Overland's stockholders. After he began to serve as a director, Sorenson was made a party defendant to a stockholder's derivative suit attacking the propriety of his contract of employment with Overland. The derivative suit terminated in favor of Sorenson and he then brought an action for reimbursement of the counsel fees incurred by him in defending the stockholder's action. Plaintiff's action was under a corporate by-law providing that the corporation shall indemnify directors and officers against expenses incurred by them in …


Municipal Corporations - Tort Liability - Liability For Torts Committed By Municipal Employees In Exercise Of Governmental Functions, Ralph E. Boches Jan 1958

Municipal Corporations - Tort Liability - Liability For Torts Committed By Municipal Employees In Exercise Of Governmental Functions, Ralph E. Boches

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff sued the Town of Cocoa Beach for damages for the alleged wrongful death of her husband. Plaintiff's husband had died of smoke suffocation after being locked in a jail which was left unattended by the city jailor. The lower court dismissed plaintiff's complaint. On appeal, held, reversed. A person injured by the negligence of a municipal employee acting within the scope of his employment may recover against the municipal corporation. Hargrove v. Town of Cocoa Beach, (Fla. 1957) 96 S. (2d) 130.


Corporations - Liabilites - Inadequate Capitalization As Ground For Disregarding Corporate Entity, Lewis L. Clum Dec 1957

Corporations - Liabilites - Inadequate Capitalization As Ground For Disregarding Corporate Entity, Lewis L. Clum

Michigan Law Review

Defendant Resnick, meeting minimum statutory incorporation requirements, organized a corporation and thereafter persuaded defendants Cowan to join him in operating a used car enterprise under the corporate name. No stock was issued, nor capital paid in, although a checking account was opened for use by the business. Car purchases were financed through loans made or guaranteed by the elder Cowan, who held title until resale. Proceeds from resale transactions were deposited in the checking account, from which defendant Resnick reimbursed Cowan for money advanced. Sales volume averaged from $100,000 to $150,000 monthly. Assured that the elder Cowan was "backing" the …


Corporations - Capital And Stock - Applicability Of Restrictions On Transfer Of Stock To Transfer Caused By Death, Robert P. Luciano Dec 1957

Corporations - Capital And Stock - Applicability Of Restrictions On Transfer Of Stock To Transfer Caused By Death, Robert P. Luciano

Michigan Law Review

The stock of the Taylor Trunk Company, with the exception of the two shares now in controversy, was divided equally between two brothers, the remaining two shares having been held by a third brother now deceased. A by-law provided: "That no transfer or sale of the stock of the Company can be made without first offering said stock for sale to the remaining stockholders. . . ." The administrator with will annexed and the legatee of the decedent sought in this action to have the two shares of stock owned by decedent at his death transferred on the books of …


Business Associations - Uniform Limited Partnership Act - Activites Making A Limited Partner Liable As A General Partner, Frank D. Jacobs Dec 1957

Business Associations - Uniform Limited Partnership Act - Activites Making A Limited Partner Liable As A General Partner, Frank D. Jacobs

Michigan Law Review

Marback Motor Co., a limited partnership, was formed in 1951 pursuant to the California Uniform Limited Partnership Act. Defendant limited partner held a chattel mortgage on partnership assets and owned the building in which the business was located. He had authority to co-sign checks of the partnership, but checks could be drawn on the firm's account without his signature and he could not withdraw funds himself. In August 1953, without a prior dissolution of the limited partnership, defendant bought some assets of the firm at a purchase price found to represent the fair market value of the properties. At the …


Corporations - Dissolution - Effect On Federal Criminal Prosecution Against Corporation, Lawrence J. Labrie Dec 1957

Corporations - Dissolution - Effect On Federal Criminal Prosecution Against Corporation, Lawrence J. Labrie

Michigan Law Review

Defendant corporation was prosecuted along with its officers .and employees for submitting false statements on FHA insured loans and for conspiracy. After return of indictment the corporation was voluntarily dissolved under Texas law. The corporation's motion to dismiss the indictment on the ground that dissolution abated the prosecution was overruled. On appeal, held, affirmed. Article 1388 of the Texas civil statutes which constitutes the president and directors trustees "to settle the affairs" of a dissolved corporation and to "maintain or defend judicial proceedings," continues the corporation in existence for the purpose of defending federal criminal proceedings. Alamo Fence Company …


Partnerships - Partnership By Estoppel - Proof Of Reliance By Creditor Dealing With Persons In Belief Of Partnership, Allen Dewey Nov 1957

Partnerships - Partnership By Estoppel - Proof Of Reliance By Creditor Dealing With Persons In Belief Of Partnership, Allen Dewey

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff telephone company sued to collect for local and long distance telephone service rendered through telephone number 196W. Defendant Walter R. Lehmann denied liability on the ground that the service was not furnished to him but to his son, Wayne R. Lehmann. The telephone was located in Wayne's business headquarters, a building on defendant's farm, over which hung a sign "W. R. Lehmann & Son-Dairy Cattle." Plaintiff carried the telephone in Wayne's .name for fifteen months, until, at Wayne's request, the listing was changed to W.R. Lehmann & Son. The change was made for the 1953 and 1954 directories, and …


The Legal Status Of The Red Cross, Wesley A. Sturges Nov 1957

The Legal Status Of The Red Cross, Wesley A. Sturges

Michigan Law Review

Red Cross is a term well known in the world at large; so is the heraldic emblem of the red cross on a white background. Many people in many lands use them to indicate and symbolize a variety of humanitarian purposes, principles and services. When the term is used as a proper name, generally it identifies an organization which is lawfully authorized to carry out those purposes and services under that name. Organizations by that name have been accorded exclusive authority to carry out the given humanitarian programs, exclusive authority to use the words, whether as a proper name or …


Corporations - Shareholders - Delegation Of Director's Principal Duties Insufficient To Invalidate A Voting Trust, Gerald D. Rapp Jun 1957

Corporations - Shareholders - Delegation Of Director's Principal Duties Insufficient To Invalidate A Voting Trust, Gerald D. Rapp

Michigan Law Review

The directors of an intermediate unit in a string of holding companies caused the corporation's sole substantial asset, the stock representing control of a subordinate holding company, to be deposited in a voting trust. Most of these directors, serving one-year terms, comprised the majority of the trustees who were to serve for the life of the ten-year trust. This act served to insulate the lower companies from the control of plaintiffs who were majority shareholders of the top holding company. The plaintiffs sought an injunction restraining the use by the trustees of the stock controlled by the trust to effect …


Partnership - Partnership By Estoppel -Application To Tort Actions, Thomas Erickson S.Ed. Jun 1957

Partnership - Partnership By Estoppel -Application To Tort Actions, Thomas Erickson S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff-motorist brought action against defendant who, it was alleged, owned a truck which was driven into the rear of the plaintiff's automobile. Defendant had arranged to take title to the truck from his son. The transfer was to be effective three days before the accident but was not in fact completed until after the accident. Defendant also had taken out insurance on the truck and had joined with his son in purchasing it and in taking out an ash-hauling license in which business the truck was used. Other trucks previously used in the business by defendant's son had been carried …


Corportations - Cumulative Voting, Classified Boards And Proportional Representation, William R. Luney S.Ed. May 1957

Corportations - Cumulative Voting, Classified Boards And Proportional Representation, William R. Luney S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In two recent decisions, Wolfson v. Avery and Janney v. Philadelphia Transportation Co., a constitutional provision guaranteeing to every corporate shareholder the right to cumulate his votes in an election of directors was construed in light of a statute authorizing the classification of directors and the election of only one class annually. In both, it was argued by a minority shareholder that the constitutional provision guaranteed him representation on the board proportional to his stock holdings, and that the classification statute, authorizing a reduction of the number of directors to be elected at each election, required a greater number …


Corporations - Liquidation Upon Deadlock In Closely-Held Corporation - Interpretion Of Wisconsin Statute, Strong V. Fromm Laboratories,, Paul Komives May 1957

Corporations - Liquidation Upon Deadlock In Closely-Held Corporation - Interpretion Of Wisconsin Statute, Strong V. Fromm Laboratories,, Paul Komives

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, as trustee of an estate, held fifty percent of the shares of a going corporation. An election to fill all four positions on the corporation's board of directors was held. Since a by-law required that directors be shareholders, plaintiff was the only member of his own faction for whom he could vote. The opposing faction, holding the remaining fifty percent of the shares, had four eligible candidates. Votes for each of the four were cast, with one receiving one vote less than the other three. Plaintiff voted all of his shares for himself and also cast a vote of …


Corporations - Appraisal Statutes - Elements In Valuation Of Corporate Stock, John C. Baity Mar 1957

Corporations - Appraisal Statutes - Elements In Valuation Of Corporate Stock, John C. Baity

Michigan Law Review

The purpose of this comment is to consider the elements of stock valuation generally applicable under the statutory appraisal remedies, and to analyze in some detail the interpretation of such a statute in one jurisdiction-Delaware.


Corporations - Watered Stock - Rejection Of Statutory Obligation Theory, Michael Mcnerney S.Ed. Mar 1957

Corporations - Watered Stock - Rejection Of Statutory Obligation Theory, Michael Mcnerney S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a judgment creditor of a corporation in which defendant was a stockholder, sued for the difference between the aggregate par value of the defendant's shares and the value of the consideration he paid to the corporation for them. After a verdict for plaintiff, the trial court granted a motion for a new trial. On appeal, held, affirmed. Liability of shareholders for watered stock is based on the misrepresentation theory in California, and there was no evidence that plaintiff relied on the stated capital in extending credit. Bing Crosby Minute Maid Corp. v. Eaton, (Cal. 1956) 297 P. …


Corporations - Promotion - Discharge Of Promoter's Liability As Bidder At A Bankruptcy Sale, John Morrow Mar 1957

Corporations - Promotion - Discharge Of Promoter's Liability As Bidder At A Bankruptcy Sale, John Morrow

Michigan Law Review

On October 1, defendant made the high bid at a bankruptcy sale of hotel properties as "Mr. Ash, trustee." Later that same day a certificate of incorporation was executed for a corporation with Ash as treasurer. On October 4 the proper corporate papers were filed with the secretary of state. On October 4 the receivers receipted for the earnest money deposit, the instrument acknowledging, as interpreted by the court, that the receivers would look to the corporation to complete the contract and would not look to Mr. Ash personally. On October 14, the referee confirmed the sale to "Mr. Ash, …


Edwards: Big Business And The Policy Of Competition, Carl H. Fulda Mar 1957

Edwards: Big Business And The Policy Of Competition, Carl H. Fulda

Michigan Law Review

A Review of Big Business and the Policy of Competition By Corwin D. Edwards.


Corporations - Securities: Regulation - Parent Corporation As Insider Realizing Shortswing Profit, Allan L. Bioff Feb 1957

Corporations - Securities: Regulation - Parent Corporation As Insider Realizing Shortswing Profit, Allan L. Bioff

Michigan Law Review

Parent corporation, owning a majority of the outstanding voting securities of its subsidiary, sold 120,000 shares of the subsidiary's common stock. A substantial shortswing profit was realized on 4115 shares which had been purchased on the open market five months earlier. The sale, whereby the parent was to divest itself of control of its subsidiary, was made pursuant to an agreement between both companies and approved by a majority of the voting stock of each. Section 16 (b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provides that officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than ten percent of any class …


Business Associations - Uniform Limited Partnership Act - Corporation As A Limited Partner, Richard Singer Feb 1957

Business Associations - Uniform Limited Partnership Act - Corporation As A Limited Partner, Richard Singer

Michigan Law Review

The Port Arthur Trust Co., a Texas corporation, sought to enter into a limited partnership agreement as a limited partner. Its capital contribution was to be three trusts established by the prospective general partner wherein the trust company had been named trustee. The secretary of state refused to file the instrument creating the limited partnership on the grounds "that it was necessary for a corporation to have express charter powers" before it can, enter into a limited partnership, and that "a corporation is not a 'person' " within the meaning of the Texas Uniform Limited Partnership Act. The corporation then …


Corporations - Stockholders - Availability Of Federal Remedy As Basis For Denial Of Attorney Fees In Derivative Action, Jerome Prewoznik Feb 1957

Corporations - Stockholders - Availability Of Federal Remedy As Basis For Denial Of Attorney Fees In Derivative Action, Jerome Prewoznik

Michigan Law Review

Defendants were directors of Merritt, Chapman and Scott Corporation and of Montgomery Ward & Co., Inc. simultaneously. Plaintiff, a stockholder in Merritt, instituted a derivative suit to compel the resignation of defendants from their positions with Ward on the ground that an interlocking directorate existed making Merritt subject to criminal and civil prosecution under federal law. Defendants resigned before judgment. Plaintiff, arguing that its suit was the cause of the resignations and that Merritt was thereby benefited, moved for an award of counsel fees to be assessed against Merritt. Held, application for counsel fee denied. Plaintiff could have achieved …


Corporations - Dividends - Date From Which Cumulative Dividends Accrue, Dudley Chapman Feb 1957

Corporations - Dividends - Date From Which Cumulative Dividends Accrue, Dudley Chapman

Michigan Law Review

Defendant corporation issued preferred stock in 1937 under a charter amendment which provided that such stock should " ... pay dividends at the rate of six percent ... , but when not so earned and paid, the dividends so provided shall be cumulative. Said dividends shall be paid annually beginning the Fifteenth (15th) day of March, 1938... " The plaintiff held 100 shares of defendant's preferred stock issued in 1945, and the above provision appeared on his certificate. During dissolution of the defendant in 1955, the plaintiff claimed cumulative dividends from 1938 as an innocent purchaser for value, basing his …


Municipal Corporations - Zoning - Exclusion Of Churches From Residential Area, William R. Luney S.Ed. Feb 1957

Municipal Corporations - Zoning - Exclusion Of Churches From Residential Area, William R. Luney S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

In two recent New York cases churches sought permits to use residential property for church purposes, including worship, social gatherings, construction of an adjacent parking lot, and, in one case, establishment of a school and playground. In each case the zoning board denied the permit on grounds that a church would change the residential character of the neighborhood, decrease the enjoyment of neighboring property, depreciate property values, and that the contemplated use of the property for other than worship was prohibited by the ordinance. The lower court upheld the decisions of both zoning boards. On appeal to the New York …


Agency - Apparent Authority - Liability Of Corporation On Unauthorized Note Of General Manager, Thomas A. Troyer Jan 1957

Agency - Apparent Authority - Liability Of Corporation On Unauthorized Note Of General Manager, Thomas A. Troyer

Michigan Law Review

Welch, the general manager, executive vice-president, treasurer, and director of petitioner corporation, requested that respondent, a salesman employed by the corporation, loan petitioner $25,000. Respondent complied, and Welch executed and delivered to respondent a note for the amount of the loan, signed by himself as vice-president and treasurer. After Welch had appropriated the money to his own uses, respondent obtained a judgment by confession against petitioner on the note. On trial of a petition to open the judgment, held, dismissed. Welch had acted with apparent authority in giving respondent petitioner's note, respondent had reasonably relied upon this appearance in …


Corporations - Stockholder's Suit - Necessity Of Demand On Other Stockholders In Derivative Action, John C. Dowd Jan 1957

Corporations - Stockholder's Suit - Necessity Of Demand On Other Stockholders In Derivative Action, John C. Dowd

Michigan Law Review

In two related cases, a holder of common stock brought a derivative suit against the directors of his corporation claiming their illegal acts had deprived the corporation of assets. On defendants' motion to dismiss and for summary" judgment, held, judgment for the defendants. Plaintiff's failure to allege either that he had presented his claim to the stockholders at a stockholders' meeting or that a majority of the stockholders' votes were under the control of the directors defeated his action. Carroll v. New York, New Haven & Hartford R.; Glenmore v. Alpert, (D.C. Mass. 1956) 141 F. Supp. 456.


Corporations - Ultra Vires Act - Effectiveness Of Action By Informal Meeting Of Board Of Directors, Guy Maxfield Jan 1957

Corporations - Ultra Vires Act - Effectiveness Of Action By Informal Meeting Of Board Of Directors, Guy Maxfield

Michigan Law Review

Defendant insurance company issued a policy on the life of the president of plaintiff corporation with the corporation named as beneficiary. The president, his wife in the capacity of secretary-treasurer, and son were the sole stockholders of the corporation. Pursuant to a divorce agreement between the president and his wife, a part of the insurance policy was assigned to the wife at an informal board of directors' meeting with the concurrence of the wife and son. The president died and his stock was sold to the present stockholders. The corporation then sued the insurance company to collect the full amount …


Corporations - Employee Stock Option Plans - Nature Of Consideration Required For Valid Plan, Richard E. Day Nov 1956

Corporations - Employee Stock Option Plans - Nature Of Consideration Required For Valid Plan, Richard E. Day

Michigan Law Review

Restricted stock option plans, approved by a majority of the stockholders, were adopted by the defendant corporation in 1951 and 1952 pursuant to, and in compliance with, section 218 of the Revenue Act of 1950, for the purpose of" ... providing an incentive to participating key executive employees in the form of an opportunity to acquire a greater proprietary interest in the corporation and thus stimulate their efforts in the corporate welfare .... " The options were effective and exercisable anytime from the date of issuance to the end of a five-year period, with provision for termination three months after …


Corporations - Statutes Providing For Both Cumulative Voting And Classified Boards, David W. Swanson S.Ed. Nov 1956

Corporations - Statutes Providing For Both Cumulative Voting And Classified Boards, David W. Swanson S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

The shareholders of the Winous Company amended the articles of incorporation to provide for staggered elections whereby one of the three directors would be elected each year to serve a three-year term. The Ohio Code provides for classified boards, and contains a guarantee of the right to vote cumulatively which is not to be restricted by the articles of incorporation. The county court of appeals reversed the court of common pleas and held the amendment invalid because it nullified the right to vote cumulatively. They interpreted the cumulative voting provision as specific and therefore a limitation on the more general …


Municipal Corporations - Tort Liability - Duty To Protect Police Informer, Cyril Moscow May 1956

Municipal Corporations - Tort Liability - Duty To Protect Police Informer, Cyril Moscow

Michigan Law Review

Decedent furnished information leading to the arrest of the notorious "Willie the Actor" Sutton. The police, after being notified of anonymous threats to decedent's person, furnished protection, which was later withdrawn. Soon afterwards, decedent was murdered by unknown assailants. Decedent's administrator brought this action to recover damages for his death, claiming that there was a failure to provide adequate police protection. The trial court dismissed the action. On appeal, held, affirmed per curiam, one justice dissenting. As a member of the general public, no duty of special protection was owed the decedent. Even assuming such a duty existed, it …