Independent Contractors: Delaware

A Q&A guide to state law on independent contractor status for private employers in Delaware. This Q&A addresses how independent contractors are classified under state law, including the various tests to evaluate worker status, penalties for misclassification, and practices to avoid misclassification. Federal, local, or municipal law may impose additional or different requirements.…

Delaware Makes Technical Amendments to Unclaimed Property Statute

Signed by Delaware Governor Carney on August 15, 2024, Senate Bill 267 made numerous technical amendments to the Delaware unclaimed property statute (12 Del. C. § 1130 et seq.) as follows: Foreign Addressed Property.  In the case of dormant foreign addressed property held by a Delaware formed entity, Delaware has historically claimed priority to escheat…

2024 Amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law

On July 17, 2024, the Governor of the State of Delaware signed legislation enacting several significant changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law (DGCL). The 2024 amendments became effective on August 1, 2024, and apply to all contracts made by a corporation, all agreements, instruments or documents approved by the board of directors, and all agreements…

‘MFW’ Just Turned 10, but Is It Worth the Candle?

In 2014, the Delaware Supreme Court held in Kahn v. M&F Worldwide (MFW) that the business judgment rule applies to a transaction that would otherwise be subject to the exacting entire fairness standard of review due to the presence of a conflicted controlling stockholder so long as the parties condition the transaction at the outset…

A Cautionary Tale for Drafters of General Assignment Agreements

A recent unpublished decision from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, In re Schiff Fine Art LLC, denied a motion of an assignee for the benefit of creditors (the “assignee”) to dismiss or abstain from hearing an involuntary chapter 7 case. The opinion has garnered attention because the assignee had already…

Environmental Justice Bills Pending in the Delaware General Assembly

Two bills that may significantly impact the environmental permitting process are advancing through the Delaware General Assembly.  The scope and obligations contemplated in these bills are broad and potentially burdensome to regulated parties.   Pre-Permit Community Outreach in Underserved Communities (HS 1 to HB 248) House Substitute 1 to House Bill 248 requires an applicant for…

2024 Amendments to Delaware’s LLC and Partnership Acts Enacted

Delaware has recently adopted legislation amending the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act (LLC Act), the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act (LP Act), and the Delaware Revised Uniform Partnership Act (GP Act) (collectively, the LLC and Partnership Acts).  The following is a brief summary of some of the more significant amendments that affect Delaware limited liability…