The Case of the Director Who Wore Too Many Hats
Nathalia is one of 5 directors of Alpha Investments Corporation. She is also a majority shareholder holding both common and preferred stock. Her stock with voting rights amounts to 47% of all stock issued with voting rights.
Nathalia buys, for $1,500, an option to purchase a tract of real estate called Blackacre, which is next to Alphas home office, for $50,000. Nathalia forms a new corporation, Commercial Property, Inc., to hold the option. She then has Commercial Property buy Blackacre. As a director of Alpha, Nathalia orders Alpha to authorize its real estate agent to negotiate the purchase of the land from Commercial Property for $100,000. After a successful negotiation for the purchase of Blackacre for $100,000, Nathalia has Commercial Property sell it to Beta, and loan the money to Beta for the purchase price at a 5% interest rate which is 2% below the market rate. Julian, a minority shareholder in Beta, formally complains to Betas board which takes no action.
The Trial
Julian files a suit against Nathalia on Betas behalf seeking to cancel the sale. Nathalia asks the Court to dismiss the lawsuit as Julian has no standing to bring the lawsuit.
Arguments At Trial
Nathalias attorney argues that Blackacre is necessary for Alpha as it will allow them to expand their offices and production plant thus increasing the net worth and potential profits to the shareholders. Further, the Board of Directors of Alpha authorized the purchase which appeared to be in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation.
Julians attorney argues that the purchase of Blackacre should have been put to a vote of the shareholders of Alpha as required by Alphas Bylaws. Alphas Board of Directors failed in its duty to make sure this sale was in the corporations best interest.
Questions to Decide
What kind of suit will Julian file and what is its basis?
Who are the Plaintiffs and who are the Defendants? Why?
What are the defenses, if any, of Alpha or Nathalia?
Who will win the case and why?
– at least one reference to chapter/page (https://www.oercommons.org/courses/business-law-and-the-legal-environment-2/view )
