© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license.

Slides:



Advertisements
Similar presentations
Business Ownership & Legal Structure. How Do Contractors Get Business? Three most common methods: A. Bidding on public work (competitive bidding) B. Bidding.
Advertisements

Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies Chapter 33.
Chapter 34 LLC’s and LLP’s
© 2007 Prentice Hall, Business Law, sixth edition, Henry R. Cheeseman Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships.
Limited Liability Companies and Limited Liability Partnerships
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license.
© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 1 Chapter 41 Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships Chapter 41 Limited.
Copyright © 2009 by Pearson Prentice Hall. All rights reserved. PowerPoint Slides to Accompany CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS AND ONLINE COMMERCE LAW 6 th Edition.
P A R T P A R T Partnerships 9 McGraw-Hill/Irwin Business Law, 13/e © 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction to Forms.
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license.
What advantages and disadvantages are associated with the sole proprietorship? What advantages and disadvantages are associated with the sole proprietorship?
Agency Law & Business Entities Chapters in Text Book.
© 2004 West Legal Studies in Business A Division of Thomson Learning 1 Chapter 36 Partnerships and Special Business Forms Chapter 36 Partnerships and Special.
Chapter 33 Limited Liability Companies and Special Business Forms
Slides developed by Les Wiletzky Wiletzky and Associates Copyright © 2006 by Pearson Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved. PowerPoint Slides to Accompany.
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license.
Copyright © 2004 by Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved. PowerPoint Slides to Accompany BUSINESS LAW E-Commerce and Digital Law International Law and Ethics.
By Richard A. Mann & Barry S. Roberts
Forms of Business Organization. 2 For Discussion What kind of business would you like to start? What kind of business would you like to start?
Chapter 15 Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies
Copyright © 2008 Pearson Education Canada13-1 Chapter 13: Agency and Partnership.
Copyright © 2004 by Prentice-Hall. All rights reserved. PowerPoint Slides to Accompany BUSINESS LAW E-Commerce and Digital Law International Law and Ethics.
COPYRIGHT © 2010 South-Western/Cengage Learning..
© 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license.
© 2011 South-Western | Cengage Learning GOALS LESSON 5.1 SOLE PROPRIETORSHIPS Distinguish the fundamental differences in the basic business forms Explain.
Business Law and the Regulation of Business Chapter 33: Limited Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies By Richard A. Mann & Barry S. Roberts.
Chapter 32 All Forms of Partnership
© 2007 West Legal Studies in Business, A Division of Thomson Learning Chapter 24 Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies.
Chapter 14. Copyright © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Prentice Hall.  Entrepreneur: A person who forms and operates a new business either.
© 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice-Hall 1 LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES AND LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS © 2010 Pearson Education,
Fundamentals of Business Law Summarized Cases, 8 th Ed., and Excerpted Cases, 2 nd Ed. ROGER LeROY MILLER Institute for University Studies Arlington, Texas.
Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, and Limited Liability Organizations CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX.
Chapter 1: Legal Ethics 1. © 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use.
LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (LP) 1 1.
Chapter 15 LLCS, LLPS, and Global Forms of Business.
37-1 Copyright © 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Basic Business Organizations Class 5. Starting a Business  The first question: –What form should the business take? Sole proprietorship Partnership Corporation.
Business Organizations. Types of Business Organization  Sole Proprietorship - an individual carrying on business alone  Partnership - two or more people.
 When choosing a business entity, entrepreneurs should consider:  Ease of creation.  Owners’ liability.  Tax considerations.  Need for Capital. ©
 An LLC is a hybrid entity that combines the limited liability of a corporation and the tax advantages of a partnership.  LLC’s are increasingly becoming.
Chapter 15 The Entrepreneur’s Options.  What are the major forms of business organizations used by entrepreneurs in the U.S.?  What are the advantages.
40-1 Copyright © 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.McGraw-Hill/Irwin.
Forms of Business and Formation of Partnerships Chapter 37.
Partnerships and Limited Liability Partnerships Chapter 30.
1Prentice Hall © 2007 PowerPoint Slides to accompany The Legal Environment of Business and Online Commerce 5E, by Henry R. Cheeseman Chapter 18 Limited.
McGraw-Hill/Irwin Copyright © 2013 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Chapter 21 Partnerships.
Other Organizational Forms for Small Business Chapter 31.
Business Law and the Regulation of Business Chapter 32: Operation of General Partnerships By Richard A. Mann & Barry S. Roberts.
Chapter 15.  An unincorporated business  Combines the most favorable attributes of general partnerships, limited partnerships, and corporations  An.
Chapter 34 Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and General Partnerships.
Understanding Business and Personal Law The Partnership Section 27.2 Sole Proprietorship and Partnership Partnership law is largely found in the Uniform.
© 2005 West Legal Studies in Business, a division of Thompson Learning. All Rights Reserved.1 PowerPoint Slides to Accompany The Legal, Ethical, and International.
Chapter 35 Franchises and Special Business Forms.
Chapter 44 Partnerships, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies Twomey, Business Law and the Regulatory Environment (14th Ed.)
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS Introduction. Major Forms of Business Organization Sole proprietorship Sole proprietorship Partnership Partnership Limited Partnership.
Partnership Act Forms of business Sole transaction (one man business, no sharing of liability, no formalities involved)) Partnership (based on agreement.
©2001 West Legal Studies in Business. All Rights Reserved. 1 Chapter 18: Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships.
Chapter 36: Sole Proprietorships and Franchises
Chapter 31: Other Organizational Forms for Small Businesses
Chapter 39: Special Business Forms and Private Franchises
Business Entities When starting a new business and deciding what form of business to organize, the following four (4) factors must be considered: (1) ease.
Chapter 36 Partnerships and Special Business Forms
Forms of Business Organization
Chapter 38: Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships
Chapter 17 Small Business Organizations
Chapter 13 Choice of Business Entity, Sole Proprietorship, and
Essentials of the legal environment today, 5e
Chapter 34 Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and General Partnerships
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES AND LIMITED LIABILITY PARTNERSHIPS
Presentation transcript:

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Chapter 14: Small Business Organizations © 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.

Introduction  When choosing a business entity, entrepreneurs should consider: Ease of creation. Owners’ liability. Tax considerations. Need for Capital. 2

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Sole Proprietorships  The owner is the business. Anyone who does business without creating a separate business organization has a sole proprietorship. Major disadvantage is the owner is personally liable for all losses or liabilities incurred by the business enterprise. 3

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Sole Proprietorships 4

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  A partnership arises from an agreement, express, or implied, between two or more persons to carry on a business for profit. Governed by either common law or the Uniform Partnership Act (in the absence of express agreement ). 5

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  Agency Concepts and Partnership Law: Partnerships are governed both by common law and by statutory laws. Each partner is deemed to be an agent and fiduciary of the other. There may be imputation of liability. 6

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  When does a partnership exist? Under the UPA there is a presumption of a partnership if: 1.A sharing of profits or losses. 2.A joint ownership of the business. 3.An equal right to be involved in the management of the business. 7

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  When does a partnership exist? However, no presumption of partnership if profits received as payment for: 1.A debt by installments or interest on a loan. 2.Wages of an employee or for the services of an independent contractor.  8

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  When does a partnership exist? However, no presumption of partnership if profits received as payment for: 3.Rent to a landlord. 4.An annuity to a surviving spouse or representative of a deceased partner. 5.A sale of the goodwill (the valuable reputation of a business viewed as an intangible asset) of a business or property. 9

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  When does a partnership exist? Joint ownership of property—or the sharing of profits from the property-- does not, by itself, create a presumption of a partnership. However the sharing of profits and losses usually does. 10

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  Entity versus Aggregate Theory. At common law, a partnership was not a separate legal entity distinct from its owners. Today, a majority of states recognize the partnership as a separate legal entity for many legal purposes.  11

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  Entity versus Aggregate Theory. To sue and be sued. To have judgments collected against it’s assets, and individual partners’ assets. To own and convey partnership property.  Tax Treatment: under federal law it is a “pass through” tax entity. 12

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Partnerships  Partnership Formation. The Partnership Agreement: can be written or oral, unless the Statute of Frauds requires a written agreement. Duration of Partnership. Partnership for a Term. Partnership at Will. 13

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Partnership by Estoppel: Occurs when a person who is not a partner holds himself out to third parties and the third party relies to her detriment. In this case the “nonpartner” is considered an agent whose acts are binding on the partnership. 14

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Rights of Partners. In the absence of a partnership agreement (oral or written) state statutes govern partner rights: Management: equal, each one vote, majority wins; need unanimous consent for some actions. Interest in the Partnership: equal profits, losses shared as profits shared.  15

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Rights of Partners. In the absence of a partnership agreement (oral or written) state statutes govern partner rights: Management: equal, each one vote, majority wins; need unanimous consent for some actions. Interest in the Partnership: equal profits, losses shared as profits shared.  16

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Rights of Partners. In the absence of a partnership agreement (oral or written) state statutes govern partner rights: Compensation: none. Inspection of the Books: always and also by rep. of deceased partner.  17

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Rights of Partners. In the absence of a partnership agreement (oral or written) state statutes govern partner rights: Accounting: when other partner(s) committing fraud, embezzlement, wrongful exclusion, or anytime it is just and reasonable.  18

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Rights of Partners. In the absence of a partnership agreement (oral or written) state statutes govern partner rights: Property Rights. Property acquired by the partnership remains partnership property. An individual partner has no right to sell, mortgage, or transfer partnership property. 19

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Rights of Partners. In the absence of a partnership agreement (oral or written) state statutes govern partner rights: Use or possess property on behalf of the partnership. Assign her right to her share of the profits to another to satisfy individual debt. 20

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Duties and Liabilities of Partners. Fiduciary Duties: p artners are fiduciaries and general agents of one another and the partnership. CASE 14.1 M EINHARD V. S ALMON (1928). CASE 14.1 M EINHARD V. S ALMON (1928). How did Salmon violate his duty of loyalty to Meinhard? 21

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Duties and Liabilities of Partners. Authority of Partners. UPA affirms general principles of agency law. Partner may be able to subject partnership to tort liability. Partner has apparent authority when carrying out partnership business.  22

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Duties and Liabilities of Partners. Authority of Partners. Authorized versus Unauthorized Actions. If partner acts within scope of authority, partnership is bound. Partners generally do not have authority to make charitable contributions. 23

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Duties and Liabilities of Partners. Joint Liability of Partners. if partner is sued for partnership debt, partner has right to insist that other partners be sued with her.  24

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Duties and Liabilities of Partners. Joint and Several Liability: third party can sue either one or all partners. 3rd party may collect against personal assets of all partners. Liability of Incoming Partners: new admitted partner has no personal liability for existing partnership debts and obligations. 25

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Partner’s Dissociation: occurs when one partner ceases to be associated in the partnership business. Allows partner to have her interest purchased by the partnership. Terminates her voting interest in the partnership.  26

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Partner’s Dissociation. Events That Cause Dissociation. Notice. Triggering Event. Unanimous Vote. Court or Arbitrator Order. Partner’s bankruptcy, assignment of interest, incapacity, or death.  27

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Partner’s Dissociation. Wrongful Dissociation. Dissociating partner breaches partnership agreement. Dissociating partner files bankruptcy. May be liable for costs. 28

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Formation  Partner’s Dissociation. Effects of Dissociation. Rights and Duties. Liability to Third Parties. Partnership bound for two years by acts of outgoing partner, unless proper notice given. 29

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Termination  The termination of a partnership occurs in two stages: Dissolution (is the legal “death” of the partnership).  Winding up and Distribution of Assets (collecting and distributing partnership assets).  30

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Termination  Winding Up. After dissolution, partnership continues to wind up the partnership affairs. Partnership obligations are paid in the following order: 1. Payment of debts, including those owed to partner and nonpartner creditors. 2. Return of capital contributions and distribution of profits to partners.  31

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Partnership Termination  Winding Up. If liabilities are greater than assets partners bear losses in proportion in which they shared profits, unless agreed otherwise. 32

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Partnerships  Designed for professionals service firms, it allows limits on personal liability of the partners but allows “pass through” tax advantages.  LLP allows professionals to avoid personal liability for the malpractice of other partners. 33

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Partnerships  An LP is an entity that limits the liability of some of its owners (the limited partners). Consists of at least one general partner and one limited partner to carry on a business for profit. 34

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Partnerships  Formation of an LP. An LP is a creature of state statute and must follow statutory requirements. Documents must be filed with the a secretary of state who will issue a certificate of limited partnership. 35

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Partnerships  Liabilities of the LP. Only General Partners can manage, but they have a fiduciary obligation to LP’s. Limited partners enjoy limited liability as long as they do not engage in management functions.  36

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Partnerships  Liabilities of the LP. A General partner assumes all management and personal liability. A Limited Partner has no management rights, and liability is limited to the amount of investment; however a limited partner can be liable if he participates in management. 37

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Partnerships  Dissociation and Dissolution. A general partner has the right to dissociate unless the LP agreement states otherwise. On dissolution, the limited partner is entitled to return of capital contributions.  38

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Partnerships  Dissociation and Dissolution. LP interests are considered securities and regulated by both federal and state securities laws. Limited partners’ liability is limited to the capital investment.  39

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Partnerships  Dissociation and Dissolution. Limited Liability Limited Partnership is a type of limited partnership. Difference between LP and LLLP is that the general partner has limited liability, like a limited partner, up to the amount of investment. Most states do not allow for LLLP’s. 40

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Partnerships  Dissociation and Dissolution. An LP is dissolved in much the same way as a general partnership. Retirement, withdrawal, death, bankruptcy or mental incompetence of a general partner will trigger dissolution. On dissolution, creditors are paid first then partners. 41

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  An LLC is a hybrid entity that combines the limited liability of a corporation and the tax advantages of a partnership.  LLC’s are increasingly becoming the entity of choice for businesses. 42

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Like corporations, LLC’s are creatures of state law.  The owners are called “members” (not shareholders) and their ownership is called an “interest” (not shares).  Members of an LLC enjoy limited liability. 43

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Formation of an LLC. Requires filing articles of organization with central state authority: Name of Business. Principal Address. Name and Address of Registered Agent. Names of the Owners.  44

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  How will the LLC will be managed?  And what about ‘pre-formation’ contracts? LLC’s may apply the well-established rules relating to corporations and preincorporation contracts. 45

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Jurisdictional Requirements. An LLC is a legal entity separate from its owners. For federal diversity jurisdiction, the LLC may be treated differently than a corporation. Citizenship of an LLC is the citizenship of its members, which may live in multiple jurisdictions. 46

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Advantages of the LLC. Limited Liability: liability of members limited to amount of investment. Flexibility in Taxation. Management and Foreign Investors. Foreign investors can be member-owners of an LLC. 47

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Disadvantages of the LLC. There are not many disadvantages to an LLC. The main disadvantage is the lack of uniformity with state laws. 48

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  The LLC Operating Agreement. The LLC operating agreement is the same as a corporation’s bylaws. Written agreement is preferred. Partnership law may apply: if the operating agreement is silent, courts will apply partnership principles. Limited Liability Companies 49

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Management of an LLC. An LLC can be either member-managed, or manager-managed. Fiduciary Duties. Managers and members owe fiduciary duties to the LLC and each other. CASE 14.2 P OLK V. P OLK (2011). CASE 14.2 P OLK V. P OLK (2011). What was the lower court’s “reversible error”? Limited Liability Companies 50

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.  Management of an LLC. Decision-Making Procedures. Generally set forth in the operating agreement. Can include, for example: – Choosing or removal of managers. – Meetings. – Voting Rights. – Sale of interests. Limited Liability Companies 51

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Dissociation and Dissolution of an LLC. Dissociation. Member has power, but not right, to dissociate from the LLC at any time. Trigger events: voluntary withdrawal, expulsion by other members or court order, bankruptcy, incompetence, or death. 52

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Dissociation and Dissolution of an LLC. Dissociation. Dissociating member loses the right to participate in the management, and the right to act as an agent. Member also has the right to have her interest bought out by other members.  53

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Dissociation and Dissolution of an LLC. Dissociation. If the dissociation violates the operating agreement, it is wrongful and the member can be held liable for damages. 54

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Dissociation and Dissolution of an LLC. Dissolution. Dissociated member has no right to force the LLC to dissolve. Remaining members can choose to continue or dissolve.  55

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use. Limited Liability Companies  Dissociation and Dissolution of an LLC. Dissolution. Operating agreement ‘trigger’ events will cause dissolution. Members who did not wrongfully dissociate may participate in the winding up process. 56

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  Franchise: agreement in which franchisor licenses intellectual property (trademark, trade name or copyright) to franchisee to use in the sale of goods or services.  57

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  Types of Franchises. Distributorship. Chain Style Business Operation. Manufacturing or Processing Arrangement. 58

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  Laws Governing Franchises. Primarily governed by contract law.  UCC Article 2 governs franchises for sale of goods. Federal Regulation of Franchises. Industry-Specific Standards: protect franchisee from unreasonable demands and bad faith termination.  59

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  Laws Governing Franchises. Federal Regulation of Franchises. The Franchise Rule: FTC requires franchisors to disclose certain material facts that a prospective franchisee needs to make an informed decision concerning the purchase of a franchise. 60

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  Laws Governing Franchises. State Regulation of Franchising. Protection from unfair trade practices and bad faith terminations. Disclosure documentation (Franchise Disclosure Document), including costs of operation, recurring expenses, profits earned, and substantiating of these figures. State law may prohibit termination without “good cause.” 61

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  The Franchise Contract. Franchisee’s type of business entity including capital structure, sales quotas and record keeping. Payment for the Franchise. Business Premises is leased or purchased. Location of the Franchise.  62

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  The Franchise Contract. Quality Control: key to franchise. Quality Control is a legitimate issue for Franchisor because of good will, reputation and trademark value. Courts will not question Franchisor’s strict supervision but Franchisor may be liable for torts of agents. 63

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  Franchise Termination. Agreement may grant franchisee the opportunity to “cure” an ordinary breach within a period of time to prevent termination. Wrongful Termination.  64

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  Termination of the Franchise. Importance of Good Faith and Fair Dealing. Courts usually try to balance the rights of both parties. If franchisor arbitrarily or unfairly terminates a franchise, the franchisee will be provided with a remedy for wrongful termination.  65

© 2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part, except for use as permitted in a license distributed with a certain product or service or otherwise on a password-protected website for classroom use.Franchises  Termination of the Franchise. Importance of Good Faith and Fair Dealing. C ASE 14.3 H OLIDAY I NN F RANCHISING, I NC. V. H OTEL A SSOCIATES, I NC. (2011). Was Holiday Inn’s conduct in “bad faith”? What factors did the Jury consider in reaching its verdict? C ASE 14.3 H OLIDAY I NN F RANCHISING, I NC. V. H OTEL A SSOCIATES, I NC. (2011). Was Holiday Inn’s conduct in “bad faith”? What factors did the Jury consider in reaching its verdict? 66