Chancery
USA Guide 2024 : Delaware
Band 2
About
Provided by Morris James LLP
Morris James regularly tries cases in the Delaware Court of Chancery, the premier court in the United States for corporate law and fiduciary litigation.
High-Stakes Litigation
Our litigation team is known for representing clients in complex, high-stakes litigation. We work multi-faceted cases from start to finish against top-tier adversaries with a strict focus on achieving our client's business and litigation objectives.
Trial Experience
We handle trials arising out of mergers and acquisitions involving the entire fairness standard of review, appraisals, books and records actions, and corporate governance.
Representative Matters
- Defense of claims of breach of fiduciary duties by directors arising out of merger and sale of asset transactions
- Prosecution and defense of class and derivative actions to recover damages for self-dealing
- Prosecution and defense of books and records actions
- Prosecution and defense of claims for breach of directors’ fiduciary duties in over-compensating themselves
- Prosecution and defense of appraisal claims
- Prosecution and defense of claims for advancement and indemnification
- Defense of breach of fiduciary duty claims arising out of a proxy contest
- Dissolution, deadlock and other claims arising out of business disputes
Blog
- Delaware Business Litigation Report
Publications
- Morris James is a recurring author for ALM's Delaware Business Court Insider.
Chambers Review
Morris James is a strong firm that is well thought of for its work in M&A disputes, shareholder derivative suits and breach of contract cases, among other matters. The firm also advises special transaction committees in connection with merger transactions as well as representing companies or stockholders in statutory proceedings regarding control and appraisal disputes. The team is adept at serving as lead and Delaware counsel to both defendants and plaintiffs.
Work Highlights
- Morris James represented Nautic Partners IX, Nautic Partners, LLC and Christopher Corey in litigation alleging the defendants aided and abetted a breach of fiduciary duty by a former CEO of the plaintiffs in establishing a new entity that allegedly competes with the plaintiff in home health and hospice.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are responsive and available."
"I was pleased with the results, and the lawyers were judicious with time while still providing excellent representation and guidance. Questions were answered quickly and accurately."
"The firm has a great bench."
"They are responsive and available."
"I was pleased with the results, and the lawyers were judicious with time while still providing excellent representation and guidance. Questions were answered quickly and accurately."
"The firm has a great bench."
Notable Practitioners
Lewis Lazarus typically advises on complex disputes involving M&A deals and alleged breaches of fiduciary duty.
Albert Manwaring chairs the firm's corporate and commercial litigation group. He has considerable experience representing clients in business and fiduciary litigation. His clients include directors and stockholders.
"Albert is super experienced, knowledgeable and a great asset to the team."
Clarkson Collins is a seasoned practitioner with decades of experience acting before Delaware courts. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in an assortment of disputes including class and derivative actions, breach of fiduciary duty and governance matters.
"Clark provides excellent support and suggestions."
"He is a very experienced trial lawyer. You get the down-the-middle advice from him. He is very practical and strait-laced."
Tyler O'Connell regularly represents clients in defense of breach of fiduciary duty claims and governance disputes.
"Tyler is a thoughtful litigator who understands the courts he is appearing in front of and provides accurate and meaningful guidance."
"Tyler provided very strong support, helped guide the case strategy and had excellent knowledge of court procedures and requirements."
Ranked Lawyers at
Morris James LLP
Delaware
Members
Provided by Morris James LLP
Albert H. Manwaring, IV,
Albert J. Carroll
Head of Department
Alena Smith
Aubrey Morin
Barnaby Grzaslewicz
Bryan Townsend
John W. Noble
K. Tyler O'Connell
Kristen A. Zeberkiewicz
Head of Department
R. Eric Hacker
Samuel Bashman
Sarah Ennis