Chancery Court Opinion in 'Centrella v. Avantor': A Continuation of Expanding Advancement Rights
The recent decision by Delaware Vice Chancellor Nathan Cook in Centrella v. Avantor Inc. continues a notable trend in Delaware jurisprudence, emphasizing the broad application of advancement rights.
August 14, 2024 at 09:00 AM
6 minute read
ContributorsThe recent decision by Delaware Vice Chancellor Nathan Cook in Centrella v. Avantor continues a notable trend in Delaware jurisprudence, emphasizing the broad application of advancement rights. Advancement rights provide litigants the ability to be reimbursed for incurred legal costs in real time by other parties during ongoing legal disputes. This case, involving a dispute between Avantor Inc. and Marc J. Centrella, a former executive at Avantor's subsidiary VWR Management Services, LLC (VM), sheds light on the evolving interpretation of advancement provisions and the implications for corporate litigation concerning restrictive covenants and other employment issues. The decision further underscores the importance of precise contractual language and cautions companies concerning the financial consequences of initiating litigation against former employees.
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