The hard rule of law is that a corporation is liable for its debts and contractual obligations and the shareholders are not liable. But sometimes a party dealing with a corporation might be able to reach the shareholders’ pockets to collect a corporate liability. It is critical that corporate lawyers and litigators on both sides of the litigation understand the principles of when the courts will “pierce the corporate veil” and how to pursue or to defend against such a claim.

This riveting CLE course will explore this complex issue through a presentation of:

• Well-established principles of corporate insulation
• Factors that the courts will consider when asked to pierce the corporate veil
• Single shareholder domination
• The objective of achieving equity in an appropriate case
• Analysis of specific cases
• An examination of the role of corporate formalities and undercapitalization
• The “alter ego” theory
• Practice issues including statutes of limitations, pleading, summary judgment and discovery