The Case of The Director Who Wore Too Many Hats Essay

5. THIS IS THE BOOK WE NEED TO USE:

(Business Law and the Legal Environment)

This is the link for book:

Business Law and the Legal Environment | OER Commons

Jury
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 Alpha’s 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 Beta’s board which takes no action.
The Trial
Julian files a suit against Nathalia on Beta’s 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
Nathalia’s 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.
Julian’s attorney argues that the purchase of Blackacre should have been put to a vote
of the shareholders of Alpha as required by Alpha’s Bylaws. Alpha’s Board of Directors
failed in its duty to make sure this sale was in the corporation’s best interest.
Questions to Decide
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4.
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?
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There must be at least one reference to chapter/page/lecture note in a student’s
discussion.
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Spelling and grammar are a part of the grading and deductions will be taken
if there are errors in these areas.