Piercing the Corporate Veil in Virginia (On Demand Seminar)

A pre-recorded streaming AUDIO replay of the May 2021 webcast, Piercing the Corporate Veil in Virginia.

One of the benefits of organizing a business as a corporation or LLC is that the entity is solely responsible for any debts; shareholders or members are liable only to the extent of their investment. There are times, however, when a creditor seeks to reach an individual owner’s personal assets (or vice versa to reach an entity’s assets), “piercing the veil” afforded by the corporate structure.

Our experienced speakers address this complex issue from both the plaintiff’s and the defendant’s point of view, highlighting the issues at stake and sharing practical tips to assist representation of your client’s interests. Among the issues they address are:

• How strong is the presumption of the corporate veil?
• What can a corporate entity do, or fail to do, that makes piercing the veil more or less likely?
• What is the “alter ego” theory, and how can it be used or resisted?
• Does the nature of the plaintiff (i.e., IRS or individual or corporation) matter?
• Does the type of court (i.e., state, federal, or bankruptcy court) matter?
• How does piercing compare to claims in the parent/subsidiary context, for successor liability, or directly against a corporate owner?

FACULTY

Michael J. Finney, Gentry Locke / Roanoke, Richmond
Alicha M. Grubb, Gentry Locke / Roanoke

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Michael J. Finney, Gentry Locke / Roanoke, Richmond

Michael Finney is a partner at Gentry Locke, and leads the firm’s Commercial Litigation section. His practice focuses on complex litigation, including business/shareholder disputes, False Claims Act claims, and defamation cases. Prior to joining Gentry Locke, he clerked for the Honorable James C. Turk in the Western District of Virginia. He graduated from Stanford University in 2000, and from Harvard Law School in 2006.

Alicha Grubb, Gentry Locke / Roanoke

Alicha Grubb is an associate at Gentry Locke in Roanoke. Her litigation practice includes business, contract, real estate, and construction disputes, for which she has appeared in state and federal court. Prior to joining Gentry Locke, she clerked for the five circuit court judges of Virginia’s Twenty-third Judicial Circuit. She graduated with her J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2016.