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Corporate Governance Shareholders California

Cooley LLP

California Supreme Court Saves Delaware Forum Selection Clauses in Corporate Certificates of Incorporation

Cooley LLP on

On July 21, 2025, the California Supreme Court issued a significant decision clarifying that a forum selection clause in a company’s certificate of incorporation is not unenforceable simply because the selected forum (here,...more

Allen Matkins

If You Agree That Stock Issuance Was Not "Compensation, Salary, Or Income", You May Want To Think Carefully Before Issuing A Form...

Allen Matkins on

Ten years ago, Hovik Nazaryan sued Femtometrix, Inc. claiming that the company had issued shares to him than it had promised.  The parties settled the lawsuit.  The settlement agreement provided that the stock issued to Mr....more

Allen Matkins

If A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words, Should Bylaws Have Pictures?

Allen Matkins on

Nearly 13 years ago, I ruminated on the question of whether corporations are required to have bylaws.  As far as California is concerned, there is no requirement that a corporation in fact have bylaws, although virtually all...more

Allen Matkins

Should Law Schools Be Teaching California Corporate Law?

Allen Matkins on

It has been my experience that corporate law attorneys at national law firms tend to have a great deal of knowledge about and experience with Delaware corporate law.  The reason for this is that Delaware has historically been...more

Allen Matkins

Does The Stock Market Believe That California's Board Diversity Mandates Enhance Firm Value?

Allen Matkins on

In 2018 and 2020, California enacted laws mandating that publicly held corporations (as defined) having their principal executive offices in California have specified minimum numbers of directors who are female and from...more

Allen Matkins

Personal Jurisdiction Matters

Allen Matkins on

I recently questioned the basis for Delaware' assertion of personal jurisdiction over controlling stockholders.  I noted that there is no "deemed consent" statute for controlling stockholders as there is for directors and...more

Vinson & Elkins LLP

ESG in 2025: What to Expect in Trump 2.0

Vinson & Elkins LLP on

With Trump’s impending inauguration, significant shifts in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policies domestically are expected, as is the overall cultural and corporate mood for ESG. Companies can anticipate a...more

Allen Matkins

So You Want To Sue "The Board", Is That Even Possible?

Allen Matkins on

A little more than eight years ago, I wrote about U.S. District Court Judge Ronald M. Whyte's ruling that a corporate board of directors lacks the capacity of being sued.  Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc. v. Leland Stanford Junior...more

Allen Matkins

What If A Creditor Refuses To Just Take The Money?

Allen Matkins on

When a California corporation has been completely wound up without court proceedings, a majority of the directors then in office must sign and verify a Certificate of Dissolution which must be filed with the California...more

Allen Matkins

Just What Are The Duties Of A Controlling Shareholder And How Should Claims Of Breach Be Brought?

Allen Matkins on

In a recent post, Professor Stephen Bainbridge discusses the question of when a controlling shareholder owes fiduciary duties to minority shareholders.  Knowing when controlling shareholder owes fiduciary duties is one thing,...more

Allen Matkins

The Importance Of Calling

Allen Matkins on

The validity of a board meeting hinges on three things - a quorum, notice and call.  Many lawyers focus on the first two and may overlook the third.   For California and Nevada corporations, the question of who may call a...more

Allen Matkins

Is A Change In Transfer Restrictions In A Shareholder Agreement Subject To Qualification?

Allen Matkins on

A recent post discussed whether amending a shareholders agreement is subject to qualification under the California Corporate Securities Law of 1968.  For the purpose of that discussion, it is important to recognize that not...more

Allen Matkins

Does Amending A Shareholders Agreement Require Qualification Under The California Corporate Securities Law?

Allen Matkins on

A significant amount of background is required to answer the question of whether amending a shareholders agreement is subject to qualification under the California Corporate Securities Law.  As an initial matter, the CSL...more

Allen Matkins

Professor Bainbridge Queries Whether SB 313 Eviscerates Omnicare, But Does That Question Have Any Relevance To California...

Allen Matkins on

Delaware practitioners and legal scholars are digesting the implications of SB 313 which adds a new Section 122(18) to the Delaware General Corporation.  According to the bill's synopsis, this new provision...more

Allen Matkins

What About Calexit?

Allen Matkins on

My last several posts have discussed the current debate on the phenomenon referred to as "DExit", which refers to Delaware corporations that choose to reincorporate in other states.  In a recent article, Professor Bainbridge...more

Allen Matkins

Is A Notitia Congregationis Valid In California?

Allen Matkins on

California is a very linguistically diverse state with an estimated 200 plus different languages being spoken.  Within my own family, English is not the primary language spoken at home by any of my grandchildren.  Yet, the...more

Allen Matkins

Directors Removing Directors

Allen Matkins on

Seven years ago, I addressed the question of whether the board of directors of a California corporation could remove a fellow director...more

Allen Matkins

Can Shareholders Elect Corporate Officers?

Allen Matkins on

The classic model of corporate governance is that the board of directors appoints and removes the principal corporate officers.  This is consistent with the general principle that the business and affairs of a corporation...more

Allen Matkins

Don't Be Caught Inquorate! Some Key, But Subtle, Differences In California's And Nevada's Board Quorum Requirements

Allen Matkins on

California Corporations Code Section 307(a)(7) provides that a "majority of the authorized number of directors constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business".  Thus, if the authorized number of directors is 7 and there...more

Allen Matkins

When A California Corporation Converts To A California Limited Liability Company, What Happens To Its Nevada Business License?

Allen Matkins on

NRS 107.028(1)(d) requires that a trustee under a deed of trust be a "domestic or foreign entity which holds a current state business license issued by the Secretary of State pursuant to chapter 76 of NRS".   In Mahban v....more

Allen Matkins

Not Every California Corporation Is Governed By The California General Corporation Law

Allen Matkins on

The California General Corporation Law is part of the California Corporations Code, but not every corporation incorporated in California is formed or governed by the General Corporation Law.   In fact, the Corporations Code...more

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Delaware's Status as the Favored Corporate Home: Reflections and Considerations

In recent months, a conversation has emerged as to whether Delaware should remain the favored state of incorporation for business entities. Indeed, many of our clients have asked us whether they should remain in Delaware or...more

Allen Matkins

What Egregious Error Have Courts Made Nearly 9,000 Times (And Counting)?

Allen Matkins on

In a recently published article, Professors Samantha J. Prince & Joshua P. Fershée focus on the propensity to conflate corporations with limited liability companies...more

Allen Matkins

Do E-mail Exchanges Constitute A Meeting Of The Board?

Allen Matkins on

I recently discussed whether chat messages constitute "minutes" of a meeting.  A related question is whether emails constitute a meeting....more

Allen Matkins

Strangers In A Strange Land - In California, Bumblebees, Crabs and Snails Are Fishes And A General Partnership May Soon Be A...

Allen Matkins on

In California, some things are not what they seem.  Here, a bumblebee, a crab or snail can be a fish, but a goldfish may not be a fish. Now, a bill is pending in the California legislature which threatens even more violence...more

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