The year 2009—a year of continued financial upheaval unmatched since the Great Depression—witnessed many interesting court decisions arising from cases involving judicial dissolution of closely held business entities and related disputes between business co-owners. Particularly noteworthy is the high proportion of cases involving businesses organized as limited liability companies (LLCs), reflecting the growing dominance both nationally and in New York of the LLC as the entity form of choice for business owners.

This review of last year’s most interesting business divorce cases highlights a number of important issues concerning capital contributions, standing to seek dissolution, stock valuation, and other issues specific to limited liability companies.

Compulsory Capital Calls